Reins are used to direct a
horse
The horse (''Equus ferus caballus'') is a domesticated, one-toed, hoofed mammal. It belongs to the taxonomic family Equidae and is one of two extant subspecies of ''Equus ferus''. The horse has evolved over the past 45 to 55 mi ...
(or other animal) when
riding or
driving
Driving is the controlled operation and movement of a land vehicle, including cars, motorcycles, trucks, and buses. A driver's permission to drive on public highways is granted based on a set of conditions being met, and drivers are required to ...
. They are attached to a
bridle
A bridle is a piece of equipment used to direct a horse. As defined in the ''Oxford English Dictionary'', the "bridle" includes both the that holds a bit that goes in the mouth of a horse, and the reins that are attached to the bit. It prov ...
's
bit
The bit is the most basic unit of information in computing and digital communication. The name is a portmanteau of binary digit. The bit represents a logical state with one of two possible values. These values are most commonly represented as ...
or
noseband and are made of
leather
Leather is a strong, flexible and durable material obtained from the tanning (leather), tanning, or chemical treatment, of animal skins and hides to prevent decay. The most common leathers come from cattle, sheep, goats, equine animals, buffal ...
,
nylon
Nylon is a family of synthetic polymers characterised by amide linkages, typically connecting aliphatic or Polyamide#Classification, semi-aromatic groups.
Nylons are generally brownish in color and can possess a soft texture, with some varieti ...
, or other materials. Reins are used to give subtle commands or cues—also known as
rein aids—to ask for a turn, a slower speed, a halt, or to
go backwards.
Types
Other uses
The word "rein" is sometimes used incorrectly to refer to a
lead rope or a
longe line
Longeing (US English, classical spelling) or lungeing (UK English, informal US) is a technique for horse training, training and exercising horses where the horse travels in a circle around the handler. It is also a critical component of the sp ...
, neither of which are reins.
The idiom "
rein in" means to hold back, slow down, control or limit; often misspelled as "
reign in".
The idiom "
free rein" means to give or allow complete freedom, in action and decision, over something.
See also
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Horse tack
Tack is equipment or accessories equipped on horses and other equines in the course of their use as domestication of the horse, domesticated animals. This equipment includes such items as Saddle, saddles, Stirrup, stirrups, Bridle, bridles, Halter, ...
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Neck rein
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Riding aids
Riding aids are the cues a rider gives to a horse to communicate what they want the animal to do. Riding aids are broken into the ''natural aids'' and the ''artificial aids''.
Natural aids
''Natural aids'' are those of the rider's body, and shou ...
References
Further reading
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{{Authority control
Reins