Western Bridles & Reins

[FredRock]

Okay, so I have a really awesome western headstall that I want to use for when I use my saddle, and I hope to get Fred a little more into western and neck reining with a snaffle. I have two problems, though.

1. The bridle has Chicago Screws. They are a pain in the butt to switch my bits over and I'm starting to get worried that they'll come off while riding. What else can I use to keep my bit on the bridle? What would the best thing to use?

2. I have these Weaver reins that I can't seem to use very well. I think they're too long for what I need, because I have to knot them so that I can use them. They seem to be a little thick and awkward too, but they d need to be conditioned. I wish I could just use my english reins but they're too short when I use my western saddle (it's even more awkward to ride with them than the other ones). I think the ones I have now are 17, so are there shorter lengths that I can try?

I guess I should add that I'm mainly an English rider, so I know very little about western tack and what is considered "ideal" for pleasure riding. I don't really know what to do with all of the extra rein.

Any comments are appreciated.

[vicklynn]

I have chicago screws on my headstalls. I used to hate them, but no longer. As far as helping them stay, if they dont, I hear that nail polish helps. Put it on the screw and screw it in.

Im confused on the reins, you say they are a 17, what does that mean?
Im sure you know that in western riding you do not have the contact that you do in english riding.
The reins hang a bit, why they are longer.

[zoel_222]

Im confused on the reins, you say they are a 17, what does that mean?
Im sure you know that in western riding you do not have the contact that you do in english riding.
The reins hang a bit, why they are longer.


I second this :)

You will have a lot more slack western which is why the reins are longer.
My favorite length is 7' for each rein. I cannot stand anything longer, and the shortest I'll go is 6' but even that's kind of uncomfortable.

For the chicago screws..... I like em. They're easier to get to stay in place then the little leather ties. Only once has a screw actually ever come undone when I was riding the horse. Just check them before you get on to see if they're loose. It'll only take a second. If you really can't stand them you could take them out and put leather ties in, but I'd think that would be less safe than the screws. If you do lose one, you can get a pack of 10 for $1.

[ImaBronsonBear]

1. The bridle has Chicago Screws. They are a pain in the butt to switch my bits over and I'm starting to get worried that they'll come off while riding. What else can I use to keep my bit on the bridle? What would the best thing to use?

Two word: trigger snaps. Unscrew your Chicago screws, put on the trigger snaps, screw them up real tight, then you can change bits in about three seconds. I <3 them. Seriously. Put them on you reins too, and you never have to hassle with them again.

Also, if your reins are too long, cut them off.:D I think i had seven foot reins, and my horse kept stepping on the ends, so i cut a foot of both of them and haven't had a problem since!

[TheBadLands]

Chicago screws are great. I think they're pretty sturdy. And I've never had to take more than 2 minutes to rebit a headstall... it just takes getting used to.

When I ride with my Mecate's...that's 21 feet of rope... of course part of it is a lead...but still.

If you're going to be showing etc, you can get dq'd for improper rein handling among other things.

You get used to the extra rein over time.

As for the neck reining...does the horse know how to neck rein? Or are you switching headstalls and reins to teach neck reining?

[WashingtonBay]

I don't like chicago screws, unless they're loctited and permanent. I've seen bridles just fall off a horse's face, or reins just come loose... on trail, a long ways from home to fix it. Hubby's bridle has Chicago screws and we used loctite on it and they have yet to come loose.

If I had to switch bits a lot, I'd see if the trigger snaps zoel is talking about would work. I do use these on my reins.

You could probably convert your chicago screws to this kind of buckle (below) but it's not a LOT easier to switch out quickly.

http://www.baywindfarm.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=117&pictureid=805

I'd probably just get another headstall and leave the bridles set up with each bit you use.

[zoel_222]

It was actually Bronson who suggested the trigger snaps :)

[WashingtonBay]

Ah - well it as a good Bronson idea then. :)

[Peggy Sue]

http://www.jeffersequine.com/ssc/product.asp?CID=1&mscssid=1MQTTFBULM088NSNPGPWEAVTJCSU5N00

[FredRock]

Sorry, I meant 7ft long reins (I hate numbers when I try to remember them). I did mess around with them a little yesterday and found a way to go two-handed and not have as much extra. Fred isn't a neck reiner yet, so I mainly ride two handed to get the work done, and then have neck reining time. He's doing good though; I got him to do an entire serpentine with only one or two breaks to direct. He can get really fast/pushy though when we go faster than a walk so I'll start introducing neck reining slowly into the faster gaits. No show plans for him so whatever goes in the ring doesn't apply to me.

I only have one snaffle bit right now, and it's the only bit Cheyenne uses. They're heads are so different though that using the same headstall would just be a bigger pain in the butt; at least changing headstalls I don't spend five minutes debating whether or not it fits the way it should. I'm working on finding one like what I have now, but haven't had much luck.

Hey Bronson, what's a trigger snap? I might just end up buying another bridle, but if the trigger snaps are cheaper than an entirely new bridle that I don't necessarily need...

[zoel_222]

Trigger snaps only cost like $1
http://www.horse.com/Trigger-Snap-SDN04.html?scode=hfroogle&mr:trackingCode=1CB29808-ED1F-DE11-B4E3-0019B9C043EB&mr:referralID=NA

[FredRock]

Oh! I see, those would definitely make it a quick change! I'll have to put 'em on a list of stuff I need.

Thanks everyone!

[root tootin' scoot]

Idk how long my reins are but I tie them as well, the over hang is something that you have to get used to-especially if you have only ridden english, or mostly ridden english.
But soon enough you wont even notice it:)
Good luck!

[WashingtonBay]

One thing I remember that I witnessed once, on a halter bridle combo with those quick release snaps... a horse bent down and itched his face and the bit dropped out of his mouth and just hung there from the other ear!

So the more traditional snaps ~might~ be a little safer for preventing accidental release. :)

[FredRock]

Good point, WB. Fred likes to rub his face a lot too...he might end up stabbing himself with his luck. :rolleyes: I wonder how small the more traditional snaps come, I'll have to check out Country Max and see. I might end up getting a different bridle too, if I can find one that I like for the price, and keep the headstall I like for any future showing possibilities, or until I can get a second snaffle and keep it ready as a bridle full time.

[Peggy Sue]

the snaps I posted have no way to poke the horse they lay flat... thing halter hook only heavier and smaller :)

I will take a pic of how I use my reins two handed next time I ride LOL

[FredRock]

the snaps I posted have no way to poke the horse they lay flat... thing halter hook only heavier and smaller :)

I will take a pic of how I use my reins two handed next time I ride LOL

Your link doesn't work. ;) Do you have the name of the product? I could search it.

[Peggy Sue]

hold on I will copy and paste for you LOL

[Peggy Sue]

Jeffers® Rein Spring Snap with Flat Fixed Eye

14th of 27 items
http://www.jeffersequine.com/ssc/images/2005/icons/dotRed.jpg http://www.jeffersequine.com/ssc/assets/product_images/IAZ3Snap.jpg Solid Brass. 3/4" x 2 1/2" overall length. Made in China


IA-Z3 Jeffers® Rein Spring Snap with Flat Fixed Eye

[WashingtonBay]

Yeah - that one would work nicely with a lot of bits. :)

[Country Girl 43]

oh man... now see what you all have done? I was doing just fine till I read this thread. NOW I have to go out and buy those neat little snaps, so I can interchange bits on the bridles for the horses.
Chy has two sets on tack now and only one bit, plus she wants to borrow my headstall, because it's pretty... LOL

[Peggy Sue]

Keep in mind that the snaps make the headstall a bit longer ;)

[Annie&Dixie]

Good luck with the headstalls and reins, it's hard finding the perfect match!

Jeffers® Rein Spring Snap with Flat Fixed Eye

14th of 27 items
http://www.jeffersequine.com/ssc/images/2005/icons/dotRed.jpg http://www.jeffersequine.com/ssc/assets/product_images/IAZ3Snap.jpg Solid Brass. 3/4" x 2 1/2" overall length. Made in China


IA-Z3 Jeffers® Rein Spring Snap with Flat Fixed Eye

Just adding in a little comment here. My friend's mare will unclip these clips from the bit if using a bit with shanks. She snaps the shanks up to her mouth and in one quick move unclips the clips.

[FredRock]

Ooh, those do look nice. I'll have to check 'em out! I wonder if my local store has 'em; I'll check when I get wormer. I don't think the added length will be a problem, but if it is I can add a hole or two. In could see how a bit with shanks could open it, and thankfully I'm not using one with shanks, but it's a good warning all the same.

Once again, thanks everyone! I always love getting advice from here.

[cowgirlup@idaho]

All of my bridles tie with leather at the bit, the reins too. I've never had one break or come loose. You keep an eye on the tie and replace it if you see that it is thinning and old and looks like it might break. I've only replaced these ties a few times over the years. Of coarse, when I buy a new bridle it comes with new ties :p.

[luvs2ride1979]

Jeffers® Rein Spring Snap with Flat Fixed Eye

14th of 27 items
http://www.jeffersequine.com/ssc/images/2005/icons/dotRed.jpg http://www.jeffersequine.com/ssc/assets/product_images/IAZ3Snap.jpg Solid Brass. 3/4" x 2 1/2" overall length. Made in China


IA-Z3 Jeffers® Rein Spring Snap with Flat Fixed Eye

Those are the snaps I was going to recommend. You see those on "training bridles" for quick bit changes. They work really well.

http://www.sstack.com/images/us/local/products/family_viewlarger/00219.jpg

These reins are REALLY nice! They're more like English reins in feel, but they do have those annoying martingale stops...
http://www.sstack.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=69&itemType=PRODUCT&iMainCat=67&iSubCat=86&iProductID=69

These are single thickness reins for most of the way, and nice bridle leather (not thick harness leather).
http://www.rods.com/p/448,159_Half-Double-Bridle-Leather-Reins.html

[Peggy Sue]

I have used those snaps for YEARS and NEVER had a properly adjusted one come unsnapped or break :)