ridecamp@endurance.net: [endurance] "Loose Reins"

[endurance] "Loose Reins"

Diane E. Nelson (nelsonde@ttown.apci.com)
Mon, 1 Jul 1996 10:53:05 -0400 (EDT)

A cautionary note on this concept of going down the trail with "loose
reins". Many, if not most, of us use the 10' trail reins. When riding
with a totally "loose rein", these tend to drape awfully low and I have
had several experiences of near and real diasters from too loose a rein.
In the blink of an eye, a leg can get through the rein, be caught on a
branch/bush or, worse yet, another rider's stirrup.

To compensate I tie a knot in the end to take up enough slack so that the
reins have a slight loop. Yes, this means I have to lean a bit to allow
the head to go down for a drink or a snack but I'd rather do that than
experience another episode of careening up a mountain bridle-less because
Kasey "walked" through the loop in the reins!

Diane @ Safe Haven