Leather riding reins - restraints discontinued by Sinvention - review by Sir

Riding reins are a must-have in any good rider's tack collection; how else to get a pony to go where you want it to? They attach to the rings on a pony's bit and control the pony's every movement (if the pony knows its cues, of course). Do you want them to slow to a walk or trot, or speed up to a gallop or run? Do you want to rein them to the left or right? Sinvention's Leather Riding Reins are an essential pair of reins made for human ponies, but they are probably the stiffest pieces of leather I've ever owned.

The reins are each a pleasing 48" long and the ends are curved so that they each have a scalloped edge. Also on the ends is a little stamp of Sinvention's logo. The leather is fairly thick at 1/8" thick, and the reins have a width of 3/4". This makes them very sturdy for use, even though a human pony isn't going to need such firmness to be controlled with. The stiffness does make the leather appear as if it is cracking in places when it's folded or flexed, which worries me for long-term use of the reins. Though they should be fine if they are properly taken care of, it's still very worrisome.

With swivel clips at the tips of each rein, the reins have smooth flexibility at the attachment point. This way, it's easier to give commands and directions to your pony without the hassle of the leather becoming twisted in an awkward way. The clips are easy to open and do not grab on or pinch the pony's cheeks or skin, but it is, of course, possible for them to rub occasionally which can cause some irritation. This is mainly because bits don't fit humans the same way that they fit horses, so the swivel clips will brush against the wearer's cheeks if the rider is careless. Also, make sure that your pony is not allergic to the metal before using them for a longer period of time; you do not want your pony to have any rashes on their face when you're done playing. Each of the swivel clips is riveted to the rein with two metal rivets that are placed side-by-side. The leather of the rein itself is actually pulled through the swivel clip, so there is no way that the two pieces will come apart. Where the rein meets itself and is riveted, the edge is again curved, giving a clean, finished look.

Sadly, as much as I love Sinvention products, these riding reins are just extremely firm. While that's good for most leather products because it will give you time to break them in and soften them, reins (especially those that will be used on human ponies) are not the sort of product that will be broken in. It's highly unlikely that a person would be so forceful with these that the leather would soften. At least, I certainly do not use them in such a manner. However, these can be broken in through use of a different kind (meaning not their intended use). If you enjoy the feel of belt whippings on either the giving or receiving end, folding these reins over and using them for impact does give a hearty smack. While this isn't what they're made for whatsoever, it is one way to break the leather in.

Reins can be also be used as leashes/leads as the construction is perfect for attachment to collars or rings. Purchasing reins does not limit their use to pony play, as there are a handful of other situations where they work perfectly, such as for pet play with kittens or puppies. The price of the reins is rather high, but thankfully, the leather smells excellent and the hardware that these are constructed with is all high quality. Even with the problem of the firm leather, Sinvention doesn't skimp on quality; these are definitely top-notch. If you are wanting a nice pair of reins that match the rest of your pony gear, these are an excellent choice. But if the price is not something that appeals to you, there are plenty of other options (like leashes or tethers) that work just as well for a fraction of the price.

For cleaning: Though these will rarely need to be cleaned, wiping them down with a wet cloth and drying them thoroughly should keep them in good condition. You can also use a leather cleaner or conditioner to keep the leather in tiptop shape.

Reins can either be used just by holding the reins slack or by wrapping them around the palm of the hand for a tighter grip. Depending on the nature of the pony, either works. I'm personally more comfortable with them wrapped around the palm of my hands because the leather is so stiff. My slave did not find them to be uncomfortable on her cheeks (or at least did not mention any discomfort). The stiffness of the leather didn't do any harm to the pony, but it was more so a problem for me, the one holding the reins. It made it a bit more difficult to keep them in the place I wanted. A more flexible, softer leather would have been better, but I do really like these reins regardless.