equestrian safety
Summer is the perfect time of year to get out and about with your horse, and thanks to the rain, perhaps this year more than most! Bear with us here… While most of the UK might be waiting for truly hot and sunny weather, for us that means the ground has stayed good and there’s no anxiety about training and competing in high temperatures. The long days and light evenings mean you can head out after work for a hack or plan a long day out competing, even if the sky is grey rather than blue! But, as with all things horse-related it’s important to take steps to stay safe when you’re in the saddle so that you both stay fit and healthy for future fun! In this blog we’re sharing our top tips for how to ride safely in the summer. Let’s get started…
- Hacking and schooling at home
Shield yourself from the sun. When you’re riding or doing yard work outside, protect yourself from the sun's glare with sunglasses to shield your eyes and sun cream to exposed skin to prevent sunburn. If your horse or pony has a pink nose, then don’t forget some sunscreen for them too! Pop a bottle in the lorry or trailer too so you have it on hand for days out and competitions.
Be seen and be safe. If you’re heading out onto the roads, then it’s essential to make sure you and your horse can be seen as easily as possible. That means a hi vis tabard or waistcoat for you and a quarter sheet or breastplate made from breathable and lightweight high vis material for your horse. The bright colours and reflective materials make you more noticeable to drivers and cyclists so that they have no excuse not to slow down and give you a wide berth.
Tell people your plans. If you’re heading out hacking on your own, then plan a route in advance and remember to tell someone where you’re going in case you have an accident along the way. If your horse is green or unpredictable then consider asking a buddy to come along with you!
Pick the right safety kit for the occasion. If you’re on overgrown or hilly bridleways or planning fast work don’t forget leg protection for your horse. If you love jumping logs and galloping, then it makes sense to have a body protector on in case of a fall. And if you’re opening lots of gates then our quick-release safety reins will ensure your horse doesn’t get injured if the reins get tangled on the gate!
- Schooling or competing cross-country
Riding over cross-country fences is one of the most high-risk activities a rider can do, so make sure you and your horse are kitted out and ready! Of course, if you’re competing then you’ll be obliged to wear a safety rate body protector and jockey skull, but it’s vital to wear them when training too, even for just popping a few fences that you’re confident about. Kit your horse out in front and back brushing boots and overreach boots in case they get distances wrong and strike into themselves. You also want to make sure you’ve carefully checked your tack before you set off, and the good news is that our quick release reins are FEI and British Eventing approved, so you don't have to leave them at home...
- Monitor the weather too!
Yes, it’s been a dreadful summer without much sun, and that’s meant we’ve had plenty of wet and windy days. Plus, when the sun has come out and the temperatures rise our horses aren’t very well acclimatised to it! Regardless of whether you’re boxing to a show or just hacking from home check the forecast so that you know if there’s likely to be thunderstorms, a heatwave (we can hope!) or day-long downpours, and plan accordingly. That might mean riding early in the morning or in the evening to avoid heat, sticking to the indoor school due to lightning risks or packing extra water/rugs/towels for days out depending on the forecast!
Whatever your plans this summer, a little bit of planning and choosing the right kit will help you enjoy your riding and stay safe. And can we all do a sunshine dance please and see if we can manifest ourselves at least a bit of hot weather before the summer is out?!
Those of you who have followed our story for a while will know that FR Vincitore is a true ‘passion project’. Laurie saw a problem that she knew needed to be fixed and worked, tested and refined her idea until she had a solution. That problem was that reins needed to be secure for riders to communicate with their horse, but that unbreakable link was problematic when the reins got caught - or the rider was tangled in them. Laurie witnessed a few accidents involving those scenarios, and that sparked our journey.
Today, we’re known and loved by riders for our quick-release reins. Reins that are just as stylish, high quality and grippy as normal reins, but that come apart in a moment if needed. Laurie has worked incredibly hard to get the word out there about what we do, and now it’s time for the next stage of our brand. While our full range of reins, the FR Vincitore Original, Eventer and Libre reins, are all available on our website, we’re proud to share the details of our retailers with you.
Being stocked at a range of different equestrian retailers means that we can reach even more people. And that’s important to us for several reasons! Not just so that we’re able to stay profitable and trading, but so that more people can learn about quick-release reins and add them to their safety kit! Our reins are suitable for training at home in all disciplines and they’re FEI, BE and BS-approved for competition days too. So, without further ado, here are the different retailers who stock our reins:
Charles Owen
Our association with leading British riding helmet brand Charles Owen started when we were the first brand to be part of the Innovation Hub. This is a business accelerator set up by Charles Owen to support people with ideas to improve the safety of horses and riders but need some help to develop it into a product and reach consumers. Now, we’re proud to be stocked on the Charles Owen website alongside their riding hats, jockey skulls and body protectors. https://www.charlesowen.com/view/accessories
Houghton Country
Houghton Country is a specialist equestrian and country brand with both an online shop and a huge purpose-built store just outside of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Houghton Country stocks a huge range of leading brands and up and coming names, including LeMieux, Ariat and Horseware and… FR Vincitore! They opened their shop in 2016 and it’s become a real destination shop for horse owners around across the north of England and the Scottish borders. https://www.houghtoncountry.co.uk/horse-c37/horse-saddlery-c146/reins-c196
GS Equestrian
GS Equestrian is an online equestrian brand with a website offering hassle-free shopping for a wide range of high-quality clothing, equipment, nutrition and pet supplies. The brand is based in Devon and sells to customers across the UK and around the world, helping our reins reach horse riders in a range of countries. https://us.gsequestrian.com/collections/horse
Craftwear Equestrian
Craftwear Equestrian is an online family saddlery that focuses on excellent customer service and high-quality items for horse owners and riders. Founded by riders who understand how important it is that kit, clothing and tack work well and last a long time, Craftwear Equestrian is the perfect home for our high quality quick-release reins! https://craftwear-equestrian.myshopify.com/collections/reins
Agrihealth
Our final retailer - for now! - is Agrihealth, who carry our reins in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Agrihealth is an animal health and equipment supplier, and their website is a one-stop shop for everything from bits and curry combs to riding boots and our quick-release safety reins. https://store.agrihealth.ie/reins-accessories?orderby=15&viewmode=list&pagenumber=2
We’re always interested in speaking to new retailers about stocking our reins, so please don’t hesitate to get in touch to learn more about our products and what makes them totally unique!
In last month’s blog we mentioned that Laurie was just back from Spoga Horse in Germany and whizzing around preparing for the National Equine Show in Birmingham. It was set to be our very first outing with the new trade stand and an amazing chance to meet customers and other equine business owners in person.
Now that the dust has settled, we’re pleased to report that the show was a huge success! The response to our unique quick-release connector was incredible, and people were so interested to see how it works and see our reins in person. We had so much amazing feedback on the look and feel of the reins too, in particular about the premium quality of the leather and fittings. Huge thanks to everyone who came to visit us and took the time to chat and ask questions. It’s literally a dream come true to be able to take Laurie’s vision from concept to reality and see how much people love the result! And, speaking of end results, we also have some exciting news for riders who love rubber reins and want to benefit from the FR Vincitore difference…
New! The FR Vincitore Libre Reins
We’re over the moon to share a brand-new design with you - the Libre Reins which boast a classic rubber grip. These reins come in two thicknesses - 12mm and 16mm - so you can choose the right grip for your preference and hand size, and you can choose to specify these with leather loops for extra grip if you like! They are British Eventing and British Showjumping legal so you can enjoy security, safety and style when you’re competing this summer, even at affiliated events. Plus, these reins start at just £58.00 so they are very kind on your purse – ideal when horses seem to empty your bank account at every opportunity!
Our new Libre Reins are the ideal choice for those of you who like the supreme grip rubber reins provide and, of course, they have the same quick-release connector as all our reins. That means they work exactly like regular reins - even if your horse sees a stride, throws a bronco-worthy buck or dives for a snack - but will release in a moment if you get tangled in them or they get caught on something. Each connector can be reused up to three times and we sell spare connectors in packs of one or three…
The new FR Vincitore Libre Reins are available in black or Havana brown leather in pony, cob or full size, and you can choose from a chrome or gold coloured quick-release connector. There are three safety connector options to choose from depending on the rider’s weight, so they are suitable for men, women and children. Take a closer look and snap up a pair here:
https://frvincitore.co.uk/shop/fr-vincitore/fr-vincitore-libre-rein/
And just like that, we’re into the second month of 2024! This year is just galloping away with us (in a good way) with so many exciting plans finally coming to fruition. It’s the result of a lot of hard work and dedication, and Laurie could easily use another four (or more) hours in each day to get everything done. As we write this blog, she’s just back from Spoga Horse in Germany, where we were lucky to be featured on the Charles Owen stand as part of their Innovation Hub. Spoga Horse is the leading trade fair for the global equestrian industry, and it gathers the most incredible array of businesses for three days in Cologne to share their latest innovations and products.
It’s safe to say that when Laurie first dreamt up her idea for quick release reins to improve our safety in the saddle, she hoped and dreamt that one day she would be able to share them somewhere like this. But for that dream to come true alongside a brand as well-known and respected as Charles Owen is just the most amazing result. Laurie had a fantastic time and has come away with lots of ideas and even more plans for the future of FR Vincitore. The event was a also a rare chance to meet entrepreneurs and innovators at all sorts of different stages of their journeys and all with a shared passion - horses. So, a big thank you to everyone who came to see our safety reins and had such lovely things to say about them.
Now that Laurie’s made it back to the FRV office and regrouped, it’s time for the next challenge! We’ve got our heads down and are busy planning for a very exciting marker in our journey - the first ever stand-alone FR Vincitore trade stand! The branding looks fantastic, and we’re thrilled to be able to take our reins to events where riders can see them in person. Plus, our first event is less than a month away. We’ll be taking the trade stand to the National Equine Show which is being held at the NEC in Birmingham on the 2nd and 3rd of March.
This show is aimed at the horse-loving public and it’s the perfect place to discover new products for you and your beloved horse. You’ll find us at booth number H44, so if you’re planning to come along then make sure you come and say hello! It’s a wonderful chance to see how we’ve combined top notch safety features with high-quality leather and exceptional craftsmanship. We’ll be taking our full product range of quick-release safety reins - the original FR Vincitore, our Eventer reins with safety grip panels, and our new Libre reins. The latter have rubber reins which we know lots of you wanted, so we look forward to seeing how they go down! Laurie will be on the stand both days, ready and waiting to show you how they work and answer any questions.
We’ve taken a few moments away from packing and dispatching lots of reins ready for their new owners to write a blog that looks back at 2023. With Christmas just a couple of weeks away and a whole new year peeking tantalizingly around the corner, it’s the perfect time to reflect and review the past 12 months. And what a year it’s been for FR Vincitore! We’ve had a rebrand, joined the Charles Owen Innovation Hub, launched a new design and were featured in our industry bible, Horse & Hound. Pretty amazing, don’t you think? So, without further ado, let’s dive in:
A change of name came first…
We kicked off the year as ‘Free Reins Equestrian’, the brand name picked by our founder Laurie Williams when she founded the company in 2021. But after a couple of years spent growing the brand and finessing our offering, it was time for a change! We unveiled ‘FR Vincitore’ in May and the response was amazing. We took the opportunity to give our website a facelift and polish at the same time and are thrilled with how it looks. Vincitore means ‘winner’ in Italian, and we believe it reflects our commitment to putting horse and rider safety first - we’re the ‘free reins winner’ when it comes to innovation and serving our customers.
…then being the first business in the Charles Owen Innovation Hub!
In August we were finally able to reveal some very exciting news that we’d had to keep under our hats for months while the final details were put in place. FR Vincitore was the first ever business to join the Charles Owen Innovation Hub, an exciting business accelerator which was set up to support people who’ve had amazing ideas to help improve the safety of riders and their horses but need some help to develop it into a product and reach consumers. Whether that help comes in the form of help to take an idea from conception to reality, or testing, manufacturing and quality control or even support developing a marketing and promo strategy, the Innovation Hub is a much-needed addition to the equestrian business landscape and one that we are thrilled to be part of. If you have an idea, you think could boost horse and rider safety, why not apply, and see how they could help you?
A new rein design followed…
As we mention in our rebrand paragraph, we’re totally focused on serving our customers. That’s why our reins combine our unique quick-release connector with gorgeous premium leather. One thing our customers have asked for is a rein design with super-duper extra grip. We want people to be able to use our safety reins for everything from hacking and schooling to show jumping, eventing and team chasing. So, Laurie went back to the drawing board and designed the Eventers Reins. This combines the same quick-release connector with a slim profile rein, handy rein stops and extra grippy rubber coating. They’re proving very popular already, and we’re busy working on yet another new design - watch this space!
…which was featured in Horse & Hound!
You can imagine our delight to open up Horse & Hound and see our gorgeous new Eventers Reins in the ‘new in the ring’ page. Horse & Hound is the biggest magazine in our industry and so to get approval of their team and included in their pages is always a thrill. We’ve also been featured in Rural Life, Equestrian Business, Equestrian Trade News and Your Horse!
We even carried out research with Dr. David Marlin
Our eagle-eyed followers on social media might have spotted us sharing the results of the research we carried out in conjunction with leading equine scientist Dr. David Marlin earlier this year. We wanted to delve into how many riders have experienced their reins getting snagged when they were on the ground and those whose horse or pony had been caught in the reins. The results were so informative and helped us make the case that everyone needs to have safety reins as part of their kit, just like a riding hat, safety stirrups and body protector. Take a closer look here.
All these moments have been so special, and we can’t thank you, our customers and supporters, enough for helping us get this far. Sometimes running a small business can be so all-consuming that it’s tempting to only focus on what’s right in front of us, rather than celebrating the wins. So, an early new year’s resolution is to remember to shout from the rooftops about the good days and take the tough ones with a pinch of salt!
You might be reading this because you spotted our new Eventer Reins in Horse & Hound earlier this month and decided to see what all the fuss was about. Or you might be a committed FR Vincitore customer who loves riding with the peace of mind our safety reins offer. Either way, we thought that for this month’s blog we’d take a closer look at some of the key design features of our safety reins. Let’s kick off with a quick reminder of our design process!
How we designed our safety reins
Our founder Laurie was inspired to design a quick-release rein after seeing riders getting caught in their reins. One particularly nasty incident resulted in a child being dragged with their reins wrapped around their neck, and that image stayed with Laurie the whole time she was brainstorming ideas. The problem she needed to overcome is that the reins need to take a lot of pressure when the rider is in the saddle and not separate - but still come apart in a split-second if there’s an issue. They can’t come apart if the horse and rider jump a fence ‘on the buckle’ and the reins take the strain. They need to stay connected even if the horse puts in a huge buck or dives for a particularly tasty patch of grass! So, Laurie set about finding smart quick release technology that would come apart only when needed.
The quick-release connector
The quick-release connector is the heart of everything we do. It’s what allows our customers to enjoy their favourite equestrian activities, from hacking and lessons to eventing, show jumping and hunting - knowing that their reins will come apart if they get tangled in them. As we mentioned above, the reins needed to stay put when needed too, and that’s when Laurie was reminded of a ski boot binding. If you’ve never been downhill skiing, here’s a quick explainer.
Your foot goes into a (rather rigid) plastic ski boot, and that then snaps into a binding on your ski when you’re ready to hit the slopes. But a little like your reins, if you take a tumble on the snow, it can be helpful if your ski comes off. Otherwise, there’s a chance the ski will get caught and your knee gets badly wrenched. People can easily rupture tendons and ligaments or even suffer dislocations if they fall, and their skis don’t release when they need to… But what about when a ski racer is flying down the mountain at speeds of 80mph? Surely, they risk their skis pinging off when they’re under pressure during a turn or landing from a jump? Thankfully , that’s not the case! The clever design of the ski binding means they stay put under these normal pressures, but release if the ski racer falls and starts to skid down the hill.
Smart design paired with great aesthetics
That design informed the development of Laurie’s quick release connector, which was then put to the test. Laurie partnered with a team from AMRC Cymru, part of the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre who helped her ensure the connector only released when it’s supposed to. That design, which can be reused up to three times before the connector needs to be replaced, is used in all our safety reins. What changes around it are the rein styles, as we know that different riders want and need different colours, grip styles and profiles in their reins. The original FR Vincitore rein design, which comes in soft black or Havana coloured English leather, has a slim profile rein with a bio grip coating. That makes it an excellent all-round rein that’s perfect for day-to-day use, show jumping and hacking. Our recently launched Eventer Reins are made from supple, strong Italian leather with a soft rubber coating and added hand grips. That additional grip makes them perfect for eventing, team chasing and hunting, or any other riding adventures where that extra grip will come in handy.
If you’re keen to invest in reins that combine style and top-notch safety credentials, why not take a closer look? You can browse our online shop here. We’re busy putting the finishing touches on a new design, so make sure you keep an eye out for that over the coming weeks!
We are over the moon to share our latest product with you all, the FR Vincitore Eventer Reins, and they are the cherry on the cake of an amazing 2023. We’ve had a brilliant year so far, rebranding to become FR Vincitore, working with the legend that is equine scientist Dr. David Marlin on industry research, being part of the new Charles Owen Innovator Hub and now launching a brand new product! We wanted to share the product development process that our founder Laurie goes through when she’s more working on new reins for our customers, and tell you all about the new Eventers Rein, just in case could make it onto your Christmas list this year…
The FR Vincitore product development process
When Laurie decided she needed to do something about riders getting tangled in reins by inventing a safety rein, she didn’t go it alone. Laurie knew how important it would be that the reins worked completely as normal except when something or someone was caught in them. That meant 99.9% of the time they would need to allow a rider to take a firm contact, steer, ride over drop fences, hold a bucking or strong horse and even stop a pony diving for grass with a young rider! But, if there was ever a need, they had to be able to come apart in a split second to release a tangled rider or horse. That’s why Laurie partnered with a team of product testing experts at AMRC Cymru, which is part of the University of Sheffield’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre. Laurie took her prototype connector and developed it with the experts there, who extensively tested the reins at a state-of-the-art advanced manufacturing facility. The result is a patented FR Vincitore quick release connector that’s incredibly effective and very subtle.
Taking a patented idea to market
Laurie’s original focus was on creating reins for children and teenagers - after all, the whole project was a response to seeing children getting caught in reins! But the idea proved popular with riders of all ages, so she quickly developed different versions of the connector for people in three weight categories. These have been a great success, with riders loving the top quality reins crafted from English leather with a choice of connector weights and colours. So why did Laurie decide to develop even more reins? Well, as you’d expect from someone who is so focused on serving riders and keeping them safe, Laurie was listening to you - our customers.
You loved the quick release connector that keeps you safe if you take a tumble or your horse gets caught, but some of you wanted something more… Our riders who enjoy galloping and jumping across country as part of eventing, hunting, team chasing - or even for regular fun rides and hunter trials - wanted something a little more grippy. A sweaty horse, wet and muddy day or just tired arms can all leave you needing a rein with extra grip to help you keep a good contact. So, Laurie went back to the drawing board and decided to develop reins that give riders extra grip compared to the original FR Vincitore reins.
A new design with extra grip
Just like she did with the first round of product developments, Laurie ensured that the new Eventers Rein combined the patented quick-release connector with the same top quality manufacturing and materials riders want from their tack. That means that whatever your discipline, you can choose to ride with peace of mind... So, if you want grippy rubber coating and hand holds along the reins to ensure mud, sweat and even pouring rain can’t disrupt your ride, make sure you check out the new Eventers Rein. They’re available in pony, cob and full size in black or Havana brown leather and choose from a chrome or gold connector.
We’re thrilled to have come such a long way in a short time and already have huge plans for 2024 and beyond - make sure you come along for the ride!