Where to find THIN, grippy black reins?

[deltawave]

I've been riding with my Pelham for a couple of weeks, and it has two VERY thin, plain leather reins--no lacing, no nothing on either one--and oddly enough, I find that I think I *love* this. I've always thought I preferred nice, bulky, thick reins for grip. Nuh-uh--did my lesson with my bulky Eventa rubber reins and they were slipping like crazy and just a PITA. Back to the very thin ones--great.

I dug up an old pair of those web reins with the little finger stops, and I used those at a show yesterday and they were halfway decent, but they're stiff and the stops are NEVER in the right spot. :)

What I'd really love to find are a set of really thin (3/4", maybe even thinner?) black reins that have just a little bit of something on them for grip, but nothing to make them bulky. I have an ancient pair of thin brown ones lined on one side with a pimply rubber stuff and they're good, but too old and the wrong color.

Any hints on thin, thin, thin black reins?

[horsecents]

Have you tried Dressage Extensions? They have quite an assortment of black reins.

[pharmgirl]

I really like my Nunn Finer Soft Grip reins (http://www.bitofbritain.com/Nunn_Finer_Soft_Grip_Rein_p/175.htm). I have short fingers, so I don't like a lot of bulk and wanted something with grip. They are also very flexible IMHO. A big selling point for me was that they came in a pretty long length (I found out the hard way that the regular length Bobby's rubber reins did not work for my 17.2 hand beast and his neck). That could be a downside since I think that might be the only length the soft grip ones come in.

[Zippy]

I have a pair of Dobert black reins (http://www.mmtackshop.com/dobreingersu.html) that I really love. I have small hands too and these are slim and just grippy enough. They actually give me a feeling of "give" without "stretch." I think they're fabulous. They're one of my favorite pieces of tack.

Sue

[Late]

What I'd really love to find are a set of really thin (3/4", maybe even thinner?) black reins that have just a little bit of something on them for grip, but nothing to make them bulky. I have an ancient pair of thin brown ones lined on one side with a pimply rubber stuff and they're good, but too old and the wrong color.

Any hints on thin, thin, thin black reins?

http://www.bitofbritain.com/Nunn_Finer_Rubber_Lined_Reins_p/0477.htm

I think those ought to be exactly like what you've described above - I just googled "rubber lined reins" and got several brands - Ovation, Warendorf (at Dover) etc. Looks like they're mostly 5/8" but of course it doesn't say how wide the Nunn Finer ones are. Good luck!

[luise]

I also love the Nunn Finer soft grip reins. They are the only thing I use now--have brown on my jump bridle and black for dressage.
Beval does make a thin 1/2" rubber rein, but it is a bit thicker, more expensive, and I found they wear out faster than the Nunn Finer reins.

[asterix]

I have little hands and HATE big bulky reins. My Bobby's bridle came with some nice thin leather reins with some kind of grippy lining -- they work really well, although the stitching is starting to fray under heavy use.

I also have a pair of Thinline reins which are HEAVENLY -- they are not thin, and I was really skeptical, but they are completely awesome for dressage (give you this kind of springy feedback, hard to describe) AND for jumping (you can just sink your hands into them and hold on!!).

I did find that they are very slick in the winter, especially with winter gloves. I wonder if the cold temps do something to the thinline material. But otherwise I love them.

[Ajierene]

I got my rubber grip reins from Bartville and love them. I have small hands and have rubber grip reins for jumping. Mine were custom for color (light brown,not orange, on light brown leather). They had black in stock when I was there.

[BeverlyAStrauss]

Another vote for Bartville- they have a great selection of reins and great prices!

[prof.mcgregor]

I'll throw in for Bartville too!!! They have the BEST prices!!!

[BBowen]

DW - I have small hands and don't like much bulk either. I have some web reins that have rubber in the weave of the reins. They give a nice flexible feel and that little extra grip. I bought some thinner rubber reins from my jumping bridle, but I do prefer the feel of the web/rubber weaved reins on my dressage bridle.

[cllane1]

I snagged a pair of these Bobby's reins from a tack store closeout and adore them!

http://www.eqtack.com/catalog/product_info.php?pName=120l-rubber-lined-reins&cName=reins-2-rubber-lined-reins&osCsid=0ee1002301bf18ce4b11ff6ef20ce965

[Fairview Horse Center]

I saw a pair of what you are looking for at Dover a few weeks ago. They look like just a bit of rubber sandpaper for grip.

[deltawave]

Great leads for shopping, thank you all. :)

Is Bartville Tack located anywhere near Fair Hill? I'm going out there in September and it sounds like a great place to visit.

[KBG Eventer]

If these (http://www.bitofbritain.com/Nunn_Finer_Soft_Grip_Rein_p/175.htm) are the ones I'm thinking of then they are probably exactly what you are looking for! I'm asking for some for Christmas. They are super thin but also grippy.

[blaster]

If these (http://www.bitofbritain.com/Nunn_Finer_Soft_Grip_Rein_p/175.htm) are the ones I'm thinking of then they are probably exactly what you are looking for! I'm asking for some for Christmas. They are super thin but also grippy.

Double thumbs up!

[Ajierene]

Great leads for shopping, thank you all. :)

Is Bartville Tack located anywhere near Fair Hill? I'm going out there in September and it sounds like a great place to visit.

Define close.....its about an hour away....

Just double checked - 45 min to an hour north.

address is 1243 Noble Rd., Christiana, PA 17509

[paintlady]

Another vote for the Nunn Finer Soft Grip Reins. I just got a pair off eBay for $82 (free shipping).

[deltawave]

Hmm, my farrier has a set of reins JUST like the Nunn Finer ones. We got them down at a harness shop in Shipshewana. Might have to borrow them. :)

[AmandaandTuff]

Delta, do you go to the MSU stallion expo? They had some nice thinner reins with a lot of grip, I loved how they felt! I'm picking up a pair this March when I go back, I can't remember who the vendor was.

[Divine Comedy]

I have a pair of those Nun-Finer soft grip reins in black and I hate hate hate HATE them. Bought them at Rolex thinking they would be awesome and found that as soon as my horse gets even a little sweaty (which is instantly in Texas weather), the things slide crazily through my hands.

If anyone is interested in them, send me a PM. I'll be at Feather Creek, Greenwood, and Midsouth this fall.

[WNT]

Nunn Finer also has a set of web reins with the woven rubber that do not have hand grips. Stubben also has a set similar to Eventa reins only a bit thinner.

[scubed]

I love these:
http://www.doversaddlery.com/product.asp?pn=X1-03044&ids=151127370

These pessoas are 5/8 inch
http://www.doversaddlery.com/product.asp?pn=X1-030097&ids=151127370

I currently ride in the 5/8 inch rubber lined reins, which I really like:
http://www.dressageextensions.com/ProductDetail.asp?KEY=2211
http://www.dressageextensions.com/ProductDetail.asp?KEY=2216