Training Reins That Soften With Work — Because That's When It Matters Most
The first 90 days of a horse's training is when the quality of your hands and your equipment are most visible — and most consequential. Stiff, slippery, or unbalanced reins communicate the wrong things at the exact wrong moments.
These split reins were designed with Gene LaCroix, handcrafted in the USA by Amish leather craftsmen, and get softer with every training session — becoming more responsive exactly as your horse does.
Cheap Training Reins That Fight Your Hands — and Your Horse
Training split reins have two jobs: to communicate your aids clearly to your horse, and to stay out of the way when the horse is doing things right. Stiff reins that do not drape naturally create false weight in the horse's mouth when you are not asking for anything — teaching the wrong lesson. Reins with snaps and stops that shift or loosen mid-session force you to stop and correct your equipment instead of your horse.
The Wrong Reins at the Start Shape the Wrong Horse at the Finish
A horse in the first six months of training is learning what your hands mean. Heavy, unbalanced, or stiff reins teach him that rein contact is something to brace against rather than respond to. By the time you upgrade to a better rein, you may be unwinding months of defensive behavior instead of building on a willing foundation. Equipment quality is not a cosmetic concern in training — it is a training variable.
- ✗Stiff leather creates false weight in the horse's mouth between cues, building brace
- ✗Poorly placed stops shift during rides, making rein length inconsistent
- ✗Cheap snaps loosen or stiffen with use, making bit changes unreliable
- ✗Generic reins not designed for split-rein disciplines hang at the wrong weight and balance
Gene LaCroix Split Reins: Expert-Designed, Amish Handcrafted, Built to Train With
Designed with leading western trainer Gene LaCroix and handcrafted in the USA by Amish leather craftsmen, these training split reins hang at the right weight, communicate with clarity, and soften with use — becoming more refined as your training progresses. Solid brass snaps and well-placed stops stay exactly where you set them. These are training reins built to the standard that professional trainers demand.
Expert Trainer Co-Design
Designed with Gene LaCroix — one of western performance's leading trainers — for correct weight, balance, and communication.
Amish Handcrafted in USA
Handcrafted by Amish leather craftsmen whose workmanship standards are legendary in the western performance community.
Softer With Every Use
Premium leather becomes more supple and responsive with each training session — improving as your horse does.
Solid Brass Snaps and Stops
Secure hardware stays positioned through hard use — no drifting stops, no loosening snaps mid-training session.
What Riders Are Saying
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I have trained reining horses for 25 years and reins are something I am very particular about. These hit everything right: the weight is correct, the leather starts supple enough to communicate softly but stiff enough to hang properly, and the Amish craftsmanship is obvious in how the hardware is set. Gene LaCroix's influence shows in how they work in your hand at the lope.
""
The snaps and stops on these reins are solid. I have had cheap split reins where the stops shift or the snaps loosen after a few months — these stay exactly where I set them. After six months of daily use the leather has become beautifully soft without losing any of its structure. Exactly what a good training rein should do.
""
I bought these for a young mare I am starting in ranch riding. She is mouthy and moves her head a lot, and I needed reins that would hang softly without creating weight in her mouth when she moves correctly. These do exactly that. The snaps make it easy to change bits as we progress through the training program. Very pleased.
"How We Stack Up
| Feature | Schneiders Gene LaCroix Training Split Reins | Weaver Leather Split Reins | Martin Saddlery Training Reins |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional trainer co-design | yes | no | no |
| Amish handcrafted in USA | yes | no | no |
| Leather softens with use | yes | partial | yes |
| Solid brass snap hardware | yes | partial | yes |
| Correctly positioned stops | yes | partial | yes |
| Correct drape weight for training | yes | partial | yes |
| Price under $90 | yes | yes | no |
| USA leather sourcing | yes | no | no |
| Multi-discipline training compatible | yes | yes | yes |
| Schneiders 78-year backing | yes | no | no |
When a Leading Trainer Puts His Name on a Rein, the Details Matter
Gene LaCroix has trained and shown western performance horses at the highest levels for decades. When his name goes on a piece of tack, it is because every detail has been considered: the leather weight so the rein drapes correctly at rest, the stop placement so rein length can be managed instinctively, the snap quality so bit changes are reliable. Amish craftsmen execute these specifications by hand, resulting in a rein that looks correct, feels correct, and trains correctly from day one — and only gets better.
- ✓Co-designed with leading western trainer Gene LaCroix
- ✓Handcrafted in the USA by Amish leather craftsmen
- ✓Leather softens and improves with each training session
- ✓Snaps for easy bit changes during progressive training
- ✓Solid stops for consistent, reliable rein length management
What You Get
