The Shires Elastic Bungee Reins are a straightforward training aid designed to help encourage a more correct, consistent head carriage in the horse. Using 6mm tubular elastic, they apply gentle, elasticated pressure on the poll and mouth when the horse raises its head, releasing as soon as the horse softens and stretches forward.
Shires has a solid reputation for practical, affordable tack, and these bungee reins sit firmly in the budget-friendly bracket. They are not a sophisticated, competition-level gadget, but a simple, accessible piece of kit that can support a structured training plan, particularly for novice riders or young horses.
There are no user ratings yet to benchmark long-term durability or effectiveness, so this is one to consider on spec and brand reputation rather than crowd feedback at this stage.
These Shires Elastic Bungee Reins are best suited to riders and owners who want a gentle, uncomplicated training aid to encourage a softer outline without getting into more complex gadgets. They are particularly appropriate for novice riders working under the guidance of an instructor, and for horses that are green, tense, or inclined to carry the head too high.
If you are on a tighter budget or just dipping a toe into using training aids, the accessible price makes them an appealing starting point. They offer a way to add a bit of extra guidance without a big outlay or intimidating fittings.
They will suit riding school environments, leisure riders, and those doing basic flatwork, hacking, or early schooling rather than high-level dressage or show preparation. Experienced competition riders or those needing highly adjustable, discipline-specific aids may find them too simple for fine-tuning advanced work.
Because any training aid can be misused, they are most appropriate for riders who are happy to involve a coach or knowledgeable friend in fitting and training plans, rather than complete DIY beginners with no supervision.
The key appeal of the Shires Elastic Bungee Reins is how uncomplicated they are to fit and understand. The elastic passes through the bit rings and attaches to the saddle or girth, so most riders familiar with basic tack will quickly grasp how they work. That simplicity also makes them quicker to adjust between horses than more intricate gadgets.
The 6mm tubular elastic provides a forgiving, elastic contact rather than a rigid restriction. This helps offer a clearer, more comfortable message to many horses: when they hollow or throw the head up, they meet pressure; when they soften, the pressure releases. For sensitive or younger horses, this can be kinder and more confidence-building than harsher alternatives.
They are fully adjustable, which allows you to tailor the level of contact to the horse’s build, level of training, and the rider’s experience. Combined with the low price point, they represent a relatively low-risk way to experiment with a training aid as part of a structured programme.
The very simplicity of these bungee reins may be a drawback for more advanced riders. There is limited scope for fine-tuning compared with more technical training systems, and they will not replace a well-fitted, discipline-specific aid for competition-level schooling.
As with any elastic-based gadget, long-term durability depends heavily on how often they are used and how well they are cared for. Tubular elastic can stretch out or lose its spring over time, especially if repeatedly over-tightened or left dirty and damp, so heavy daily use may reveal wear sooner than with leather-based systems.
Finally, because they are easy to fit and adjust, there is a risk that less experienced riders might be tempted to rely on them rather than focusing on improving their seat, leg, and hands. Used without proper guidance, they can encourage a fixed head position instead of true engagement from behind, so they are not a magic fix for schooling issues.
Day to day, the Shires Elastic Bungee Reins are straightforward to integrate into your routine. You simply thread the elastic through the bit rings and clip or tie it to the saddle D-rings or girth, depending on your preferred configuration and your instructor’s advice. Once the length is set for a particular horse, only minor tweaks are usually needed before each ride.
Horses that respond well to elastic pressure often relax into a more consistent outline after a short adjustment period, particularly if the rider maintains a balanced seat and quiet hands. The elastic action makes it easier for the horse to find the “comfort zone” and understand the release, which can be especially useful for green or tense horses that overreact to a fixed gadget.
Cleaning and care are relatively simple: wiping off sweat and grime after riding and avoiding prolonged exposure to direct sunlight or wet storage will help preserve the elasticity. They are lightweight and compact, so they do not add bulk to your tack room or grooming kit, and are easy to pop in a grooming bag or lorry for lessons and clinics.
In terms of performance, the main job of the Shires Elastic Bungee Reins is to offer gentle, consistent guidance rather than to force a frame. The 6mm tubular elastic creates a progressive feel: the more the horse inverts or comes above the bit, the more pressure they experience on the poll and mouth, and as they work into a rounder, more relaxed outline, that pressure eases off.
The fully adjustable design is key to getting them to work as intended. You can set them looser for a young or sensitive horse, using them more as a reminder than a constraint, or shorten them slightly for a more established horse that just needs help maintaining consistency. Because the adjustment is straightforward, you can quickly adapt between different horses or phases of a schooling session.
Ease of fitting is another strong feature. Passing the elastic through the bit and attaching to saddle or girth is intuitive for most riders, and there is no complicated webbing or pulley system to get tangled. This is particularly useful in busy yards, riding schools, or shared horses where several riders may need to use the same piece of equipment.
What they do not offer is sophisticated biomechanical influence or the ability to target specific posture faults in the way that some multi-point systems can. They are a broad-brush tool for encouraging lower, more relaxed head and neck carriage rather than a precision instrument for advanced lateral or collection work. Within that remit, though, they deliver a clear, predictable response for the horse.
With a price around the lower end of what you would expect for training aids, the Shires Elastic Bungee Reins offer strong value for riders who want something simple and functional. You are not paying for complex hardware or premium leather, but you are getting a branded product from a widely trusted name in everyday equestrian kit.
Because they are easy to share between horses and riders, they can be especially cost-effective in riding schools, livery yards, or families with several mounts. Even if, over time, the elastic needs replacing due to normal wear, the initial outlay is modest enough that most riders will feel they have had their money’s worth.
The lack of user reviews means there is no collective verdict on longevity yet, but judged purely on design, intended use, and price, they stack up well as an entry-level or occasional-use training aid rather than a long-term investment piece.
The Shires Elastic Bungee Reins are a no-fuss, budget-friendly training aid that can genuinely help encourage a softer, more consistent head carriage when used thoughtfully and alongside good coaching. They are light, adjustable, and intuitive to fit, which makes them accessible for novice riders and busy yards alike.
They are less suited to riders who want a highly refined, discipline-specific gadget or those schooling at advanced levels, and like all elastic aids they will not last forever if heavily used or poorly maintained. They also cannot replace correct riding and a structured training plan.
If you are a leisure or improving rider looking for a gentle, easy-to-use aid to support your flatwork and hacking, these bungee reins are a sensible and affordable option. Used under guidance, they offer a clear training message for the horse without overcomplicating your tack setup.
