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Reins are a type of horse tack. A bridle is an arrangement of straps around the horse's head used for riding and driving the animal. A bridle contains a bit (a piece of metal or rubber that is placed in the horse's mouth) attached to reins. Reins are leather straps or rope attached to the outer ends of a bit that extend to the rider's or driver's hands, allowing them to give commands known as rein aids.

Use for riding

Reins are used to communicate to the horse or other riding animal. With the reins you can bend the neck and encourage turning, or move them back and ask for a slower speed or a halt. But a rider must also use leg cues and body weight.

When a rider squeezes her/his leg, the horse responds by moving away from the pressure. The reins can be used to warn the horse that you are about to turn. The sides of a horse's mouth are sensitive, so pulling on the reins pulls the bit, which then pulls the horse's head to the side.

Reins are also used to stop a horse. By gently applying pressure to the reins in a backward motion and sitting against the horse's movement for a short time, you can stop a horse completely or cause the horse to walk backward.

Harness reins

On some types of harnesses there might be supporting rings or "turrets" used to carry the reins over the animal's back. When pairs of equines are used in drawing a wagon or coach it is usual for the outer side of each pair to be connected to the reins and for the inside of the bits to be connected by a short bridging strap or rope. The driver carries "four-in-hand" or "six-in-hand" being the number of reins connecting to the pairs.

Other uses

A single rein or rope may be attached to a halter to lead or guide the horse or packhorse. A long rein called a longe line may be used to allow the horse to move in a circle for training purposes.

Types

Types of reins include:

• Closed reins — reins that are either a single piece or that buckle together at the ends. English riders always use closed reins. western riders in timed rodeo events use a single closed rein, as do those who use a romal. A closed rein helps prevent the rider from dropping the reins.
• Split reins — a rein style seen in western riding where the reins are not attached to one another at the ends. They prevent a horse from tangling its feet in a looped rein, particularly when the rider is dismounted. They are considerably longer than closed reins.
• Side reins — used when longeing a horse, attached from the bit to the saddle or surcingle, they are not to be held by the rider.
• Long reins, longlines, or driving lines — exceptionally long reins which allow the rider to control the horse from a cart, or from the ground, with the handler walking behind the horse.
• Romal reins — a rein style from the vaquero tradition that incorporates a closed rein with a long quirt at the end.
• Mecate — a style of rein seen on a bosal style hackamore made of a single piece of rope or braided horse hair that encompasses both a closed rein and a lead rope.
• Reins used on bridles with two reins:
  • Snaffle rein — Usually a laced rein that buckles at the center, used on the bradoon of a double bridle, or the upper ring of a pelham bit.
  • Curb rein: The rein used at the end of the shank of a curb bit or pelham. Modern curb reins usually buckle together at the ends, though reins of the classical curb were sewn together at the ends to create a single rein.
• Draw reins and running reins — long reins, usually made of leather or nylon webbing, that attach to the saddle or the girth, run through the bit rings, and back to the rider. Several design variations, they add mechanical advantage to the rider's hands and may the horse's ability to raise its head. Often used in conjunction with a snaffle rein by English riders, usually used alone by western riders.
• Lead rein — A third rein used on bridles, not to be confused with the single lead rope of a halter nor the direct rein aid known as the "leading rein." In North Americaa third rein is most commonly seen as part of the mecate of a hackamore. In Mongolia it is integral to the bridle, and tied to either a bit ring or a chin strap.
• Double reins—The combined use of two pairs of reins, a curb rein and a snaffle rein. This is usually two single (buckled or sewn) reins, though sometimes split reins may be seen on western-style bridles. Double reins are used with a double bridle, with bits such as the Pelham bit and, less often, on some gag bits used for polo.