KnotHead Report post Posted March 13, 2011 Okay my fellow braiders. I have a question or two about braiding reins. I have a few styles that I wish to endeavor with. The first one will be the California Style Reins and I am not to sure what a Romal is. Please take into consideration that I have never been around horse or a ranch. So if some of my questions seem to be stupid, I assure you the questions are out of ignorance and lack of experience with horse tack. The reins I am making are mostly just for show and to see if I can make a really nice set of reins. I have all the proper measurements for this style of reins. This much is for sure. So I will skip past how much I will need. There is 1 question that does come to mind for me. In my books I have noticed that most of the instructions speak of the bit chains, both chain and braided. Now while I know what the bit is for, I don't know how long the standard bit chains are. The length of the reins would seem to depend on how long the bit chains are. Well it so happens that I don't have a standard bit chain to determine the over all length of the reins. So my question is this; Should I just go with a standard length of say 48 inches to 54 inches anyway? If this item were to sell, would that mean that the new owner would have to buy a new set of bit chains to match the reins and the fact of their riding comfortableness? Should I just make the bit braided instead of compensating for the bit chain? What is a Romal and what is it used for? I know. I am an experienced braider and these kinds of questions are probably not what you expected from me. But remember, I have never been on a ranch, or around horses or the tack. So forgive my lack of experience in this department of braiding. I am humbly ignorant when it comes to the tack and equipment used. Thanks to anyone who can help with learning me. B... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
roo4u Report post Posted March 13, 2011 i suppose that whether or not you use bit chains depends on the use of the reins....working usually have chains to protect the braided parts from the horse, some like to chew, if you let them drink while bitted....that kind of thing. reins destined for the show pen or pleasure riding most just go with the standard bit connector and a full length rein. in the research ive done online ive found very few sets intended for use with rein chains and those that are usually include the chains. the romal is like a long flexible quirt that is attached to the reins....romal reins were originally designed and used for a specific bit...the knots were used to add weight to provide balance for a spade bit....i think the purpose of the romal portion was twofold...add more length to the closed portion of the rein and so the rider wouldnt have to also carry a quirt....but im guessing cuz ive never looked at the history....i prefer split reins myself.....but i bet that the romal would be handy for whacking loose dogs while trail riding. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KnotHead Report post Posted March 13, 2011 Thanks roo. I appreciate the help. I have what you said documented for later looks while building. B... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shelly Report post Posted March 13, 2011 Hi, The romal also provides balance to the reins - as well as a dog whacker! My husband used to cowboy with some of the old-timers up North - many times in the evenings, they would add knots to the reins on a horse they were fine-tuning in the bridle - they would spend hours braiding knots on the reins to add the weight, then, they'd be out working, and he'd also see them cut one off, if the 'feel' wasn't quite to their liking...they'd fuss like this until they felt it was 'perfect' - Shelly Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shelly Report post Posted March 13, 2011 you also mentioned something about 'braided chains' - I don't think I've ever seen chains that were braided - I've seen many different styles of romal chains, all were of metal, of various design and variety. The only thing you will see at the end of the longer romals will be braided bit connectors - as the chains are supposed to connect directly to the spade - the shorter romals then are connected directly to the chains, without the braided connectors that are used in the longer reins. Of course, I've seen everything under the sun when it comes to the trainers, etc, that want to use romals on their horses - much of it not very 'traditional'...but, these days, no one wants to take the number of years on a horse to make a true bridle horse in the ways that it was done even 25 years ago...the pressure of three year old futurities for reining horses is tough. Even the Cowhorse Futurity, in which they show 3 events in a snaffle bit - is a little misleading - many of these 'snaffle-bit' horses will be seen again in OKC in a bridle, and many are extremely competitive. I think the horses are so well bred, highly trainable, and pure athletes (the good ones - we have more 'well-bred pukes' as well) - it's really amazing what these colts can do in the Fall of their 3 yr old year. Now, with the addition of added aged events, where the horses can earn big money beyond their 6 yr old year, (we now have added money for the 7+ aged horses), it will be interesting to see if we can maintain longevity in their careers. I think it was Al Dunning that told me once that there was a time when, if a 'California Bridle Horse' was ever sold, this horse usually was sold with the saddle, bridle, reins, headstall, etc, etc - a 'complete set' if you will, as, by the time that horse was a bigtime winner as an aged bridle horse, he was always shown in a specific bridle, reins, saddle, etc - if you wanted him to continue to ride as he did, you bought him and everything that was on him! I'm sure that happened at times, but probably not all the time... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shelly Report post Posted March 13, 2011 A good 'working set' of romal reins was usually 8 plait on the rein body, and 12 plait on the romal, a 'show set' - something to go horse show in, or a set that was just nicer than the basic - 12 plait on the rein body, and 16 plait on the romal...a collectable set usually never saw use on a horse - these would be 16 plait rein body, and sometimes up to 24 plait, and you would see some really fancy stuff done. If you've never seen any of the body of work done by the braiders that are members of the Traditional Cowboy Arts Assn - I highly recommend visiting their website at www.tcowboyarts.org... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Leatherpownder Report post Posted March 13, 2011 They may be easier for you to sell if you make them full length unless your in the west where cowboys ride bridle chains. People showing usually don't use chains because depending on the chain they can become tangled during the work. Knots provide a balance to the rein when riden and it is up to the maker as to that pattern or how many. Good luck it should be an interesting project for you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KnotHead Report post Posted March 13, 2011 Hi all, @ Shelly; I have seen the TCAA collection online several times. I love going there and gazing at the braided rawhide work already done. While it is not my objective to have my photo in there catalog, I would love to make a very nice set of reins just to see how I do with my skills. It is more of a test of where my skills are than anything else. While after practicality, I am also seeking the art and beauty of the braid experience in this project. Therefore, the reason for asking for experienced advice and knowledge from my colleagues here on LW. Your advice and experience is greatly appreciated and if you don't mind I have documented the advice in my note book for later reference while building the reins. Thank you Shelly for you valued input and time. @ Leather Pounder; I live in the Pacific Northwest. So, I have no idea what they prefer to ride. The selling part is for a later contingent after I make these reins and have a bit more experience with making them. The ones I will make will most likely just end up hanging on my wall for show. So just making a standard size is probably the best bet in this case. Your advice and experience are greatly appreciated and if you don't mind I have documented yours as well to my note book. Thank you for your time. It is much appreciated. B... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RockingM Report post Posted March 14, 2011 Knothead, I am only now learning to braid and knowhere near where you are in my abiltiy but I do use ramol rein on a daily basis, so I will only try to answer your question on the usabilty of your reins. Reins with a legth of 48" will always be used with chains, their is no basic length for rein chains, they are made from 6" to 14" long, This all depends on the riders arm length and the length of the horses neck. Reins of 52" or 54" length are normaly not used with chains. The number of knots and their whight are personal perferance of the rider but all knots should be place in the lower 1/3thr. of the reins. I hope this helps. LM Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KnotHead Report post Posted March 14, 2011 LM. That is most helpful. I have documented this also. This will be very helpful in deciding how long, or which length to go with for my first set of reins. Thank you very much for taking time out of your day to post this. As well with all the other posts that are of great help also. I really appreciate the advice given so far and it has been very helpful in aiding me to decide and to plan this project out. Considering that I have never gotten the privilege to ride a horse, or be around the ranch world, or the tack and equipment. I greatly appreciate the advice. It's hard for me to braid such a thing when I have no experience with this type of equipment. It almost kind of feels like I am blind braiding something. Thank you all very much. B... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nod4Eight Report post Posted March 14, 2011 just an FYI for ya. The reason a bridal horse uses rein chains to connect the bit to the reins is that a spade but is a signal bit as opposed to a leverage bit. The slightest of signal is relayed from the reins, through the chains to the bit. That's where the weight and balance function of the buttons comes in. Come on down to Idaho for a weekend and I'll trade you some horse experience for some of your braiding knowledge. - Rob Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KnotHead Report post Posted March 15, 2011 I so wish I could do that right now. It sure would be a welcome vacation for me. LOL... I would gladly exchange for sure. Thanks Rob... B... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
