Rein 2488922 201937994 2008-03-30T00:53:31Z Montanabw 1179460 Mostly grammar, removed some material that makes one description disproportionately long compared to the others. {{otheruses}} [[Image:Reining slidingstop.jpg|thumb|200px|Reins are used to slow and direct the animal]] [[Image:Twee-paarden.JPG|thumb|200px|Reins attached to the rings or shanks of a bit]] [[Image:SplitReins.jpg|thumb|Split reins attached to a western style snaffle bit]] '''Reins''' are items of [[horse tack]], used to direct a [[horse]] or other animal used for [[riding animal|riding]] or [[driving]]. Reins can be made of leather, nylon, metal, or other materials, and attach to a [[bridle]] via either its [[bit]] or its [[noseband]]. ==Use for riding== {{Main article|riding aids}} Reins are used to give subtle commands or cues, also known as [[riding aids|rein aids]]. Various commands may signal a turn, ask for a slower speed, request a halt or [[rein back]]. Rein aids are used along with leg aids, shifting of body weight, and sometimes voice commands.<!--cut a bit of the how to, some is covered in riding aids article--> ===Harness reins=== On some types of [[horse harness|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 (vehicle)|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 between the pair of horses 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 a horse or [[packhorse]]. A long rein called a [[longeing|longe]] line may be used to allow the horse to move in a circle for [[horse training|training]] purposes, or for the purpose of a clinical lameness evaluation by a veterinarian. On certain designs of headgear, a third rein may be added to the paired reins, used for leading, longeing, or other specialized or stylistic purposes. The best-known example of a third rein used in the USA is the leading rein of the ''mecate'' of the classic bosal [[hackamore]]. ==Types== Types of reins include: *Closed reins — (also called Loop reins) reins that are either a single piece or that buckle together at the ends. [[English riding|English riders]] usually use closed reins. [[Western riding|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 meant 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 that encompasses both a closed rein and a leading 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 [[bit shank|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 ring]]s, 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 [[riding aids|rein aid]] known as the "leading rein." In [[North America]]a 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 [[curb chain|chin strap]]. ==The rein in popular expression== {{wiktionary|rein in}} In popular culture, to '''rein in''' means to hold back, slow down, control or limit. Sometimes the [[eggcorn]], '''[[reign]] in''', is used. {{wiktionary|free rein}} Wide usage of the opposing '''free rein''' can be dated to the early 1950s<ref>[http://www.merriam-webster.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=free+rein [[Merriam Webster]] definition of "free rein"]. Accessed March 3, 2008</ref>, and means to give or allow complete freedom, in action and decision over something. ==See also== *[[Riding aids]] *[[Neck rein]] *[[Horse tack]] ==References== {{reflist}} [[Category:Horse tack]] [[de:Zügel]] [[es:Riendas]] [[fa:افسار]] [[ja:手綱]] [[ro:Frâu]]