I get so many asking me about reins with y draft horses. 
I guess when you think about it, many of the choices out there today can get confusing to people who are not professional trainers like me.

I am hoping this article will answer many of your questions and concerns about reins.

There are four basic styles of reins.
    
rommel                continious                    split                     macate

rommel or rommal reins usually have a rolled leather core and are wrapped my tiny think pieces of rawhide called plaits.  the higher number of plates-the more expensive. 12 plait is economy and 30 is premium costing as much as 1000.00. custom orders for length and color. i will be writing an extensive article about everything you need to know regarding rommel reins in the near future because i get so many questions about them each time i show in them.


ENGLISH RIDERS

English riders have two choices when it comes to reins.

Single reins.  For huntseat, lower dressage levels and jumping.  Only continuous reins.
     

Double reins for saddle seat and upper level dressage.  Only continuous reins.
 
This is because there are usually two bits in the horse’s mouth, but not always.
The upper rein, called the snaffle or direct rein. Leather.

The lower rein, called the curb rein because it engages the lever action of the curb bit.
     
Some riders like the top rein smooth and the bottom rein laced for extra grip.

I like them both smooth and very tiny and skinny, like there is hardly a rein there at all.

Eventing horses however, use a single rein.  Often web or rubber.

Western riders

Western riders have the luxury of all four styles to use. 
Many cow working and reining riders prefer Rommel reins for a more aggressive grip. 

     

Many western pleasure riders prefer split reins for a nice soft loose draped rein in the show ring. 

   
Roping and ranching riders usually prefer the continuous rein.

  


  Futurity riders must use the mecate rein if showing in a bosal hackamore

   

...otherwise it is proper to show only in split reins when in futurity snaffle bit classes.