Help

[chev]

I have a problem with my hands. In short, they jerk; this is beyond my control and is not likely to get better.

So... the problem is that I keep inadvertently either yanking on the rein or drop them completely.

Bitless would mean I don't jab whoever I'm riding in the mouth, but doesn't solve the problem of jerking on whatever bridle I use, or dropping reins.

Anybody have any ideas round this? I wondered about elasticated reins, or loops on the rein that I can hold instead of relying on my hands (which are completely unreliable :rolleyes: ).

And kind of related... I'm also finding I have difficulties with tacking up - mostly with bridles. Mine are all traditional bridles and doing buckles can be a real pain. I cope with trigger clips fine, so is there a bridle out there that uses clips rather than having to do buckles up every time?

[Tots N Dots]

there is a bridle I have seen that has clips for the bit? mainly for horses that need different bits for different things? but I am sure that you could basically slide the bridle on and then put the bit on so that would reduce buckles? also you can get something called a "soft rein" or something which is a short piece of leather with elastic, with aloop one end and a trigger clip the other, its for maintaining a softer contact, this may help, have seen both things on ebay quite regularly

[KateWooten]

I can't help with the reins thing, but yes, an endurance 'halter bridle' has no buckles to do up. You put it on as a halter, and I think you can get a version which only does up under the chin, by way of a clip, rather than by buckling up the headpiece each time. Once the 'halter' is on, then you clip the bit in place by means of the bit-hangers - like cheekpieces.

[Gemsluvshorsesx]

On another thread they had these rather cool reins which might be easier for you to hold maybe?

http://www.deboiz.com/html/reins_0.html

You can get tack with clips as opposed to buckles, particularly webbing ones.

[ponylover88]

http://www.libbys-tack.com/shop/customer/product.php?productid=232&cat=50&page=1

That any good?

Cant advise on reins though, ive got a pair of them elasticated rein inserts, dont use them cos it makes Gems reins too long!!

[Jane.A]

The reins with loops in are really useful. If you'd like I will ask our RDA coach where they get them from. As to trigger clip fastenings any good leather work saddler would alter your bridle for you. we have our stuff customised as I prefer to call it:D.

[Pink's lady]

I made myself a pair of elasticated reins - it's not difficult. I could easily make you some? Tis a 5mins job using webbing.

I could also make you a specific clip bridle in any style you want and most webbing colours. I'm in the process of making Kalli and Pink one and have lots of left over clips. Webbing's cheap, all I need is measurements.

[KarinUS]

I think the donut thingies can be added to any rein you already have don't they?

[chev]

Brilliant, thankyou! The correct contact reins look good but persuading OH that I need £60 for a pair of reins might be a tad difficult :o Jane A - can you find them cheaper than that?

Pink's Lady; will PM you later when I've measured Dolly's head :)

[Tots N Dots]

ahhh have found them
FLEXI-REIN-HAVANA (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/FLEXI-REIN-HAVANA_W0QQitemZ220014907735QQihZ012QQcategoryZ72585QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem)
the ones I origionally found were about £15 though :confused:
wouldnt be that difficult to make some out of some side reins though?

[Teehee]

Hello,
I have just had a thought, is it possible to get a type of belt with a clip of some sort so that the reins are attached to your waist?

I know it sounds strange but I remember seeing this video and the guy rides the horse with no hands, the reins are attached to his waist with something, obviously you'd have to train you horse to different cues, I don't know if they use verbal cues or shifting positions of the legs for them to turn...

Here's the video, I know the stick and other jazz that has nothing to do with this, but he stears without using his hands...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9Y1F_f87F0

[Silvia]

I too have limited control over my right hand and problems with strength/ coordination. I tried elasticated eins but found they make for a rather fuzzy contact - plus my horse likes to lean on the bit if I don't pay attention and the elastic reins seemed to encourage her. Now I use my special reins with loops and just ride with a bit more slack in my reins so that I don't yank Jessys mouth when my hand twitches.
As to bridles: Esther D made me a lovely synthetic bridle with clips instead of buckles - made to measure and quite reasonably priced. Plus she was happy to adjust it for me until it was just right for my needs.

[izzysmycat]

I've got a problem with my hands too. They don't move involuntarily but I almost lost my arm in a riding accident last year and although it was reattached successfully, it doesn't quite hang the same as the other one which means constant even contact is quite hard to achieve I also have no sensation from the elbow down so I have to lock my hands on to a set of marks on my continental reins and keep them there. Then I find hat I can't feel one rein so keep fiddling with it to make sure it's there then trying to even the other side out. I'll get there eventually I suppose. If anyone has any ideas to even me up i'd be really grateful! Jo x

[alwaysfallingof]

Hey,
Sorry to hear that you're having problems with your hands. To be honest, if you're arms are involuntarily losing grip and jerking, I would not be inclined to use loop reins. I'm guessing that at the times when your hands aren't jerking, then you have close to normal grip?
Although the loop reins will mean that you are less likely to drop your reins completely, dropping your reins could on occasion be preferable to giving the horse an unintended haul on the mouth.

Instead, I would suggest using either ladder reins, or attach a bar across your normal reins. Both of these options mean that if you do lose control of one of your arms, you can just let it go where it wants to and retain control of both reins with your other hand (assuming they don't both go together).

I'll try and find some pics.

[alwaysfallingof]

Ladder reins:

(There are different types, but they are all variations on this general theme. Idea being, that you can hold the 'ladder' bit across the middle if one of your hands goes wandering.)

http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://www.toptackinc.com/images/lr2.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.toptackinc.com/specializedtrainingaids.html&h=221&w=115&sz=6&hl=en&start=2&um=1&tbnid=lsCOegZoPbogaM:&tbnh=107&tbnw=56&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dladder%2Breins%26svnum%3D10%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-GB:official%26sa%3DN

[Trio]

Nylon Webbing Bitless Bridle may be ok, its got buckles but should be easy as its nylon and not leather and no bit.


http://www.bitlessbridle.co.uk/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=23_1&products_id=1

[Trio]

or this one with clips not buckles
http://www.summerpastures.co.uk/Summer%20Pastures/Catalogue/Syntheticware/marathon_endurance_bridle.htm

[alwaysfallingof]

Reins with a bar (a bit like Nicola Tustain uses, if you've ever seen her ride)

Apologies for terrible paint effort:o

[chev]

I tried elasticated eins but found they make for a rather fuzzy contact - plus my horse likes to lean on the bit if I don't pay attention and the elastic reins seemed to encourage her. Now I use my special reins with loops and just ride with a bit more slack in my reins so that I don't yank Jessys mouth when my hand twitches.

I did wonder if elasticated reins would cause problems with a steady contact. Hmm...

I'm guessing that at the times when your hands aren't jerking, then you have close to normal grip?

Yes, more or less. They can get very shaky at times but they're not weak as such and I have no issues with pain or anything like that. The trembling I can cope with; it's when they jerk I have problems.

Although the loop reins will mean that you are less likely to drop your reins completely, dropping your reins could on occasion be preferable to giving the horse an unintended haul on the mouth.

Good point...

Instead, I would suggest using either ladder reins, or attach a bar across your normal reins. Both of these options mean that if you do lose control of one of your arms, you can just let it go where it wants to and retain control of both reins with your other hand (assuming they don't both go together).


Sounds like it might work... they do quite often go at the same time sadly but if I can do away with dropping an entire rein round Dolly's feet things would be easier. Some of the ladder types look like they'd limit the amount of rein dropped, if you see what I mean.

Nylon Webbing Bitless Bridle may be ok, its got buckles but should be easy as its nylon and not leather and no bit.

It's the buckles that cause problems with doing things up. It's incredibly frustrating. I was wondering about bitless to save inadvertant jabs in the mouth with a bit, rather than solve problems with tacking up; I have problems with the fineties of buckles in general.

I think bridles with trigger clips (whether leather or webbing) is going to be the way to go for tacking up. Not sure what to do about the reins... the ladder types do look like they'd help.

[alwaysfallingof]

Sounds like it might work... they do quite often go at the same time sadly but if I can do away with dropping an entire rein round Dolly's feet things would be easier. Some of the ladder types look like they'd limit the amount of rein dropped, if you see what I mean.

Yes, absolutely. If nothing else, then if you do lose both reins these won't go very far. There's a much smaller chance of pony feet getting stuck through them.