SubscribeGift a Sub
Enable cache 100
Categories: Horse News

Safety Reins to Help Jockeys Hold Their Horses

Have you ever suffered the shock of realizing your reins have broken? It’s one thing to have that happen on a trail ride. But what if you were a jockey galloping full speed down the homestretch when suddenly your reins snapped? It’s not a frequent occurrence, but when it does happen it’s both frightening and life-threatening. It’s akin to being aboard a runaway train. Now, New Mexico horsemen will be required to provide safety reins to jockeys and exercise riders beginning next year. The New Mexico Racing Commission unanimously approved a measure that will require safety reins for Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse races in the state beginning May 15 of next year.
  
Ohio officially became the first state to impose the safety rein rule, and will require them for Thoroughbreds and Standardbreds. California is considering implementing the rule soon.
  
Safety reins are sort of a back-up system to regular leather reins. Though there are several manufacturers with their own slight variations to the product, safety reins typically include a nylon cord and a special clip that fastens onto the bit ring. If the regular rein breaks, the jockey—or harness driver—can at least rely on the secondary nylon rein to maintain control of the horse.

Recent Posts

An Overview of White Line Disease

It's often what you can’t see that leads to trouble, and that’s definitely the case with white line disease. Understanding…

8 hours ago

ASPCA Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week: My Man Ira

Welcome to Horse Illustrated’s weekly installment of the Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week, offered in partnership with the…

1 day ago

Riding Lipizzaners in Hungary

Two hours’ drive from Budapest in the picturesque Bükk National Park lies Szilvásvárad, a beautiful little village that is home…

2 days ago

How Horses Helped Two Boys with ADHD

During the height of the pandemic and racial tension around the U.S., two boys struggling with ADHD found healing through…

3 days ago

Adopting a Companion Horse

When you think of the term “companion horse,” one that is versatile with the ability to fill a variety of…

4 days ago

Emergency and Natural Disaster Preparedness with Horses

Each year, hurricanes, wildfires, and severe storms force thousands across the country to evacuate their homes. When preparing for a…

1 week ago