Western Saddle Bags & Gear Bags

Lets Talk Western Horse Reins with Tack Warehouse

Split Western Reins

Although typically made from two strips of harness leather, split reins can also be made of braided cotton rope and widths vary. Tack Warehouse recommend a width of 3/4-inch for most riding and 5/8-inch when using a snaffle bit. Split reins are common for trail riding but also western events like working cow horse, western pleasure, horsemanship, reining and cutting.

The benefit of western split reins is they are versatile and allows the rider to make adjustments to one rein or the other or  direct your horse with one rein against their neck, apply a neck rein or use both hands.

At Tack Warehouse we stock Amish have finished herman oak harness reins which are considered the gold standard of leather and they have a substantial thickness and no stretch and come with weighted ends we also recommend the reins with leather ties for western rider safety. Western Split Reins Shop Tack Warehouse

Western Horse Romal Reins 

Traditional Spanish vaquero methods, romal reins are comprised of two parts: the reins and the romal which is one piece on the end connected to the reins called a popper and although they can be made of harness leather the most common are hand braided rawhide. Many horse trainers start colts with split reins and then transition them into romels after they start to get into the bridle. The western romel rein is used with a shank bit.  

The snaffle bit horse futurity originated on the west coast. So has reined cow horse competition evolved. Most of the horses are Showen in Romal reins. 

The benefit of these reins is that you can use one hand and you don't run the same risk of dropping them as you might with a split reins 

Barrel & Roping Reins

Roping reins are attached to the bit  on both sides in a loop around the horse’s neck and are made from a single length of leather, braided nylon or cotton. There is usually a snap on one end. Barrel and Roping horse western reins are used for roping and speed events, such as barrel racing.

Barrel / roping reins are easy  beginner western rider using one hand

Mecate Reins

Western mecate reins are based on vaquero tradition and  used with a horse bosal, also called a horse hackamore. Mecate reins are made of horse mane or tail hair, mohair, or nylon . Western mecate reins include one long length of rope attached to the bosal that then makes a loop around the horse’s neck, with the remainder used as a lead rope that is tied around the saddle horn. 

Western horses are usually started in a bosal and mecate  horses can be shown in this a bosal and mecate if they fall in certain age limits.   

Tack Warehouse recommends bamboo and mane hair; rather then stiff tail hair.