Reins

The surcingle is the strap that keeps a horse's blanket in place. Fitting the blanket is fairly straightforward, but many people make the mistake of over-tightening the surcingle. This gives the…

Split reins consist of two separate strips, each attached to one side of the bit. Split reins are attached to the bridle's bit using slobber straps. Slobber straps are thick straps of leather with two…

Horses were once a main mode of transportation in the U.S. and today are popularly used for pleasure riding, competition riding and reenactment events. No matter what your purpose is for riding…

A hackamore is an addition to a rope halter that converts it into a type of bridle, allowing a horse to be guided. Rope halters and hackamores are used by equestrians who practice natural horsemanship…

A mecate is a traditional rein that is made of either horse hair or nylon rope. The mecate is typically more than 10 feet long and is used on bosal bridle in the place of regular reins. A bosal is a…

While most riders begin riding a young horse with a snaffle bit, some prefer using a hackamore. The hackamore consists of a bosal or nosepiece usually made from braided rawhide, a mecate or long…

Side reins are a type of training aid used when working horses from the ground. They attach from the horse's bit to a roller around its body, and are designed to simulate the feel of a rider's hands.…

Over the course of time, the reins on your favorite bridle may stretch out or break, requiring you to replace the reins with a new set. Leather changes color as it ages and undergoes repeated…

Braided leather horse reins consist of at least three strips of leather but can be made from up to 12 strips. Braiding multiple strips of leather together creates a stronger, heavier rein that will…

Traditionally used by Mexican cowboys, the mecate knot ties horse reins to a bosal to form a soft hackamore. The soft hackamore allows you to control the horse without a bit. It also functions like a…

Steering a horse without reins is advanced technique for both the rider and the horse. You need a horse well past the beginner stage and you need an excellent seat with knowledge of leg cues. Trust…

Reins attach to the bit loops of a horse's bridle and are used by the rider to give directions to the horse. Pulling on the reins will pull on the bit in the horse's mouth, signaling which way you…

Reins are among the most easily recognizable pieces of tack -- equipment for riding a horse -- a rider uses. As the phrases "rein in" or "free rein" indicate, reins are a mechanism used to control the…

A bull rope is what hangs off a bull and allows the rider to hold on. This rope wraps around the bull's chest and right behind the front legs. There is a metal bell on the bottom of the rope, so it…

Horses must be relaxed in order for the rider to effectively communicate, and Myler bits -- created by Ron, Dale and Bob Myler -- were help resistant horses better accept the bit. This style of bit is…

Barrel racers knot their reins to promote consistency in hand placement as the rider and horse turn the three barrels at top speed. It's easy to grip the knot and turn the horse just so for a perfect…

Ponies may be smaller than full-grown mature horses, but they can often be more difficult to train. They are more likely to be stubborn, ill-tempered, and angry when you attempt to tame them to ride…

A rawhide bosal is a hackamore-style bridle. It doesn't use a bit, instead relying on applying pressure to the horse's nose area as a way to control the horse. Bosals are often used on young horses…

The bosal is the noseband used in traditional Spanish riding. The bosal and headstall, together known as the jaquima, is a bitless bridle that works on an indirect rein. Bosals are leather wrapped…

Barrel racing is a fast sport that requires both the horse and rider's full attention. Worrying about the reins while racing takes away from this attention. A good pair of braided rope reins will keep…

Barrel racing pits rider and horse against the clock in a show of speed and skill at the rodeo. Barrel racers pilot their horses around three barrels in a cloverleaf pattern, vying for the best time.…

Split reins are seen in Western riding, where each rein consists of an individual strap. The reins are not joined together and are much longer than the closed style of rein, which consists of a single…

Barrel racing reins are a one-piece rein intended for barrel racers. Made of various materials, the reins must have some give and flexibility for knotting. Leather and thick nylon tend to resist…

Pat Parelli is a horse trainer and author who has written many books on natural horsemanship. His methods use little gear when working with horses. A rope halter and hackamore are used for much of his…

Barrel racing is a high-energy, fast-paced event that pits horse and rider against the clock. Three large barrels are placed in a triangular shape in the arena, and the rider must guide the horse…

Mecate reins are made from synthetic rope or horsehair and are closed or looped rather than split. They are typically 22 to 25 feet long and used with a snaffle bit. Effective use of mecate reins can…

Most competitive riding disciplines, including dressage, western pleasure, hunters, western horsemanship and reining require the horse's head to be held in a specific position. With a tucked-in head…

Teaching a horse to move its hindquarters laterally while under saddle can be a challenge. In order to be taught to move its hindquarters, a horse needs to have solid basic training, be balanced at…

Proper nutrition and exercise are the two most important ingredients when trying to strengthen a horse. Both of these elements must be used together in order for the horse to gain strength and muscle.…

Reins provide one of the major lines of communication between a horse and rider. Connecting the bit or hackamore to the riders' hands, reins need to be made from a strong but supple material. Leather…

Braided leather reins use at least 3 leather laces and are much stronger than single strand reins. The extra strength is useful in rodeo events like barrel racing and also for working livestock in…

Myler brand bits are designed as training aids to help riders convey messages clearly to their horse through proper use of the bit and bridle assembly. There are a variety of bit styles that have been…

A bosal is a type of traditional horse hackamore bridle dating back to the vaqueros of the old west. The bosal allows the horse to be ridden and controled without the use of a metal bit in its mouth.…

Reins are the piece of equipment that connects the rider's hands to the horse's mouth. Reins are used to convey commands directly to the horse, allowing the rider to effectively control the animal by…

Braided reins are versatile and practical, and can be used for riding and leading. When you are riding, they look smart and afford a good grip. You could also make a longer version of this rein to use…

Brand new English riding reins come out of the package fairly stiff and coated in a white, waxy coating. Most riders prefer to break in new English reins before ever attaching them to the bridle in…

Horse's carry their heads at different heights and angles during different gaits. For riding purposes, many riders want their horses to carry their heads "on the vertical", which means with the…

Reins are an essential part of your horse's bridle, as they're part of what lets you tell a horse what to do and where to go when riding. Several different kinds of rein are available, and each has…

In addition to barrel reins and roping reins, which have a considerable scope in their variations, you will find three different types of western reins. These have associations with particular bridle…

Hitching horsehair for tack is an ancient craft dating back to the early middle ages. According to the website Hitching Tails and River Publishing, this art form's origins can be traced to the…

The bosal, or jaquima, has been used for centuries to control the horse's movement when ridden. It has roots in the Middle East and was adopted by the Spanish who gave the bosal its reputation when…

Lunging is an exercise to help horses get used to taking directions from riders without the rider actually on their back. It involves the rider getting the horse to move around in a circle to help the…

A horse that has not been ridden for six months will need a careful program of building muscle and stamina, known as a fittening program, to ensure he does not damage his muscles by too much work too…

While bosals and mecate reins are most closely associated with the romance of the California reined horsemen, they are often used by many of today's trainers to start young horses under saddle. The…

A bosal is a braided rawhide loop which is attached to a headstall and mecate reins to create one form of hackamore bridle. The bosal is often used to gently transition a horse from the snaffle to the…

Mecates can be made out of many different materials. The traditional mecates are made out of horse hair, but others have been made out of cotton, nylon, poly rope and parachute cord. The horse…

The mecate is a rein system for the hackamore that is used to train young horses. The hackamore is a spanish tradition. The word "mecate" basically is Spanish for rope on your hackamore (bosal).…

Lunging from the bridle offers different challenges than using a halter or lunging cavesson. Connecting a lunge line directly to the bridle should only be done with a well-schooled horse that you have…

Slobber straps are a horse-riding accessory that serves many different purposes. The straps are small, stiff straps that connect to the mouthpiece of the bridle and have the reigns connected to them.…

A bosal should be shaped to fit your individual horse. Pick a soft bosal made out of braided rawhide; avoid stiff bosals that are less easily shaped. The goal of shaping the bosal is to have it fit on…

Slobber straps serve three main purposes. They protect reins from water damage caused by slobber and the horse drinking in tack. They add weight to excessively light reins to improve rein…

Mecate reins are usually used with western, reining horses. The mecate style of reins dates back to before the Spanish/American War. It was developed by the Spanish cowboys known as vaqueros.…

Mecate reins have been used as a horse training and working tool for centuries. The mecate (pronounced muh-caw-tee) or McCarty rein is a line of about 22 feet made of rope or braided animal hair,…

When learning to ride a horse, it is important to have a solid understanding of the basics of riding. With this knowledge, you will express confidence to your horse and will be able to build a…

There are a great many differences between styles of riding horses. The most prominent differences are between English riding and Western riding. Each style has its advantages, but it is up to the…

Teaching a horse to give to the bit during ground training and lunging requires the gradual practice of having a horse lower its head using a surcingle or draw reins. A surcingle is a large circular…

A bosal consists of a stiff piece of rawhide placed around a horse's nose to provide both fine control and stopping power without a bit. Bosals can serve as a good alternative for horses that do not…

If you prefer to ride your horse without a bit, a bosal can be a good alternative. A bosal uses pressure on the horse's nose instead of inside its mouth, providing the stopping and turning power you…

Horses need proper nutrition, rest and exercise in order to build muscle. Lunging exercises (exercising a horse by having it circle at the end of a long lead line) are an effective way to build your…

Driving a horse sleigh can be a pleasant and exciting experience, but it also can be dangerous if you are not familiar with horses and you don't have the right equipment. The hobby has gained…

Macate reins are reins used in Western-style horseback riding. Mecate reins are usually made from braided horse hair but can also be made from nylon marine rope. These reins are usually about 20 feet…

Double reins are used with a Pelham bit or double bridle, and they require more concentration and skill than normal snaffle reins because there is more leverage on the horse's mouth. Therefore, it is…

Teaching your pony to drive can be a very rewarding experience for both you and your pony. Ponies are very intelligent and learn quickly. The keys to success are to never rush the training and to let…

Gaited horses have become incredibly popular since the 1990's due to their even cadence and bounce-free rides. With back injuries and other orthopedic problems on the rise, more and more equine…

The bosal is a bitless bridle comprised of the bosal (the piece which goes around the nose and knots under the chin), the hanger (the side piece going along the face between the bosal and the ear…

Whether you own a top show horse or just an old trail mount, it is important to keep your tack in the best possible condition. Every time you ride you are relying on your tack to keep you safe, so…

There is a lot of emphasis on a horse's proper headset in the show ring, and a lot of misinformation on how to get it. Training for headset is generally an exercise in futility, since each horse's…

No matter what the breed of horse, reining is an exciting and challenging equine activity. The elegant turns, circles, spins and rollbacks are breathtaking to watch, and reining has become a widely…

Side stepping can be a very useful thing for a horse to learn, and this maneuver should be part of every horse's training. Out on the trail, the ability to move sideways can get your horse out of a…

There are many different styles of bridles, but the bosal can be one of the most effective. Unlike a traditional bridle with a bit, a bosal works by placing pressure on the horse's nose, allowing…

Braided reins have been popular with riders for over a century. The weight of the braids helps to balance the bit, so the horse can really feel the rider's signals. As a result, the rider doesn't have…

Leather split reins can be attached to a bridle's bit by leather fobs or "slobber straps," which keep the horse's saliva (and water when a horse drinks) from discoloring or damaging the reins. They…

Myler bits are becoming popular in the equestrian world, with many riders finding that these bits provide superior responsiveness and feel in their mounts. These bits are available in a wide variety…

The D-ring snaffle is one of the most popular, and one of the most versatile, bits in the equine world. This widely used bit can be used for everything from breaking young horses to competing on older…

English riding crops are short, leather-covered sticks used as an aid in horseback riding--usually the hunter-jumper and eventing disciplines. Wielded by riders as an extension of the leg while in the…

Bosals are an invaluable training tool when working with young horses. A bosal is a stiff piece of material that loops around the nose of the horse and is attached to the bridle to act as a guiding…

Back up a horse by applying pressure with the reins and squeezing the horse with the inside of the legs. Get more information on how to back up on a horse with tips from an equestrian team coach in…

Keeping hands upright, hold a horse's reins in between the ring and pinkie fingers. Learn more about holding a horse's reins with tips from an equestrian team coach in this free video on horseback…

Side reins are training tools used most often in English equestrian disciplines, such as dressage, and are intended to be used while working a horse on the lunge line. Side reins connect from the bit…

In an emergency, an experienced rider can make a horse fall to prevent a even worse accident. The fall can be dangerous to the horse and to the rider, making it important to try every other option…

Turning your horse is a command that you need to know whether you're in a show ring, on a trail ride or even just riding for pleasure. This is one of the basic commands that a horse learns. Like most…

The leg yield is one of the easiest lateral exercises for a horse to do. While walking forward, the horse moves to the side by crossing his legs and keeping his body straight. The leg yield lays the…