Reins are an essential piece of riding equipment, but are often sold separately when purchasing a bridle. Reins can be a personal choice, varying based on the rider’s hand size, horse size, and what style makes you feel the most confident and provides enough grip.
There are many types of reins available, which vary in their length, width, and overall design. This guide focuses on the most popular types that are suitable for use across the disciplines.
Best reins for horse riding: H&H’s quick guide
Best for everyday use: Shires Velociti Rapida SureGrip
Best for beginners: Balanced Support Full Rubber
Best for dressage: Cottage Craft Half Rubber
Best for cross-country: CountryDirect Thumb Best Grip
Best available in longer lengths: Heavy Horse Shop V Grip Rubber
Best reins for horse riding
Shires Velociti Rapida SureGrip Reins
Colours: Black or Havana
Length: 48 or 54in
Width: ½ or ⅝in
These supple and hardwearing reins are made from eco-friendly vegetable-tanned leather, hand-stitched with self-colour thread. The rubber pimple grips have raised rubber bars to allow for good traction and flexibility in the hand. The nylon core prevents stretching and they are finished with a neat billet end attachment.
Balanced Support Reins – Full Rubber
Colours: Black or Havana
Sizes: Extra small pony, small pony, pony, extra large pony, cob or full
A versatile and innovative riding aid featuring a secondary elastic support rein, which offers extra balance support without affecting your horse. Thoughtfully designed, these reins promote rider confidence, balance, and control – especially for those who prefer a thicker rein with a more secure grip.
They are available in range of grips available to suit your preference, and are ideal for beginners, para riders, and those with limited grip or physical challenges.
Cottage Craft Half Rubber Reins
Colours: Black or brown
Length: Pony (48in) or full (56in)
Width: ⅝in
These are made from a smooth eco-friendly vegetable tanned leather on the outside, while the underside is rubberised for an improved grip.
CountryDirect Thumb Best Grip Reins
Colours: Black or Havana
Length: Pony (48in), cob (51in), full (54in) or extra full (60in)
These reins have been specially designed with discreet thumb grips to help maintain even hand placement for maximum control. The supple rubber outer offers a comfortable yet secure hold.
I use these reins and have found they are great for keeping an even contact in both reins and find they offer great grip when going cross-country.
Heavy Horse Shop V Grip Rubber Reins
Colours: Black or Havana
Sizes: 60in, 62in or 64in
Width: ⅝in
If you’d benefit from a longer pair of reins without going bespoke, these are great. They combine small rubber pimples in a V shape for a close contact grip with a buckle end.
I regularly use these reins on my Irish Draught as I was finding myself always on the buckle end of my usual pair – these have been flexible and comfortable to hold with or without gloves, and have stood up well to regular use.
Dy’On Working 1/2 Rubber Reins with 7 Integrated Stops
Colours: Black or brown
Sizes: Pony, cob, full or extra full
These reins combine extra-soft rubber with an ultra-grip texture to deliver a secure hold in any weather. The seven integrated stops ensure consistent rein positioning, offering both control and confidence whether schooling or competing.
Collegiate ComFiTec Opulux Leather Reins
Colours: Black or brown
Length: 54in
Crafted from luxurious, super-soft leather that feels like it’s already broken in. These reins feature comfortable stops for enhanced grip and a neat billet end attachment.
LeMieux Soft Rubber Reins
Colours: Black, brown, brown/silver, chestnut, Havana/brass or Havana/silver
Length: Pony (50in), cob (52in) or full (54in)
Width: ¾in
These soft and flexible reins have a light feel in the hands, with a raised pimple texture for additional grip and nylon lining to prevent stretching.
Henry James Saddlery Xtreme Eventer Rubber Reins
Colours: Black or Havana
Length: Pony, cob, full or extra full
These reins are made from English Sedgwick leather and a soft rubber that features a smooth but grippy rubber pattern and nylon inner to prevent stretching. They give a spongy soft feel in the hand and have neat billet ends.
Eco Rider Inside Grip Plaited Reins
Colours: Black or brown
Length: 48 or 54in
These have a traditional 3-plait design for a smart look, but feature a hidden inside grip for practicality. Fastened with a billet end attachment.
Horseware Rubber Grip Continental Reins
Colours: Black or brown
Length: Small pony (45in), pony (50in) or full (54in)
Width: ⅝in
Horseware’s smart, anti-slip web reins are lightweight and flexible. Rubber woven into the webbing and leather stoppers help maintain even, secure contact. They feature tonal stitching, billet ends, and stainless steel hardware.
Shires Aviemore Rubber Grip Training Reins
Colours: Black/rainbow or Havana/rainbow
Length: 48 or 54in
Rubber reins featuring coloured sections to bring awareness to the rider of their rein holding position, which makes them ideal for children and beginners. They fasten with hook stud billets.
Hy Plaited Reins
Colours: Black or brown
Sizes: 48in x ½in or 54in x ⅝in
These leather plaited reins are ideal for the show ring, with billet hook fastenings.
Whitaker Pick & Mix 9-Loop Reins
Colours: Black or Havana
Length: Small pony (52.5in), pony (55.5in), cob (58.5in), full (61.5in) or extra full (64.5in)
Width: ⅝in
These soft rubber reins feature spaced leather stoppers for a stronger grip even in wet conditions. The smooth leather accents and rein stops have contrast stitching and the buckle fastenings are brass. The inner is reinforced with a nylon inner.
What types of reins are good for beginner riders?
Beginners who struggle with balance would benefit from Balance Support Reins, while novice riders that find it a challenge to keep even rein contact would benefit from reins with coloured sections.
What thickness of reins should I choose?
The width of your reins should be chosen based on hand size and the type of horse you are riding. For riders with smaller hands, or those using a fine pony, a narrower ½inch width is ideal. This thinner option is also suitable when riding with two sets.
The most popular choice for general riding is the ⅝inch width, offering a slightly thicker feel. Even wider, ¾inch reins are a thicker option, often preferred by riders of very strong horses as the increased material offers a feeling of having more to hold.
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