Riding Aids

[FudgieFoo]

No not the legs hands & whip!

Where can I find aids that will help me with my riding. Such as those straps you can attach to the saddle or looped reins?

 

[Clava]

What exactly do you need them for?

 

[1962mclean]

Robertsons do the balance straps that clip onto the saddle, sorry no idea about the reins

 

[Bay Mare]

You can also get the balance straps from Annadresseur on ebay.

To be honest you'd be better off spending your money on a good instructor to help you (although a balance strap is a good idea for anyone and better than a neck strap).

Is there anything specific that you need, though? It might be worth speaking to an RDA instructor to see if there's anything that would be helpful for you.

 

[FudgieFoo]

I've been riding most of my life and had my pony 14 years now.

A couple of years ago I was diagnosed with MS and I've been finding it affects my balance and I lack strength in my legs.

I don't have the money for lessons and I've not been involved in the RDA in any way.

I've been using a breast plate to grip onto but its not great. Also find reins slip through my fingers but old fashioned "knots" are too bulky.

Also can't get on from ground. Is ok in yard as we have a tall mounting block but would be a bugger out. Maybe I need to get one of them mount aids?

 

[juniberry]

Looped reins can be made by any good saddler but I use ones from Gateway Equestrian. They are in America and was free post when I bought them. They cost $149 or about £90 but have been a dream for me and they are adjustable. You can get a mounting aid from Robinsons and other main retailers. Never used one but they slot in to your strriup and make your getting on about 10" lower and can fit in a pocket. Or do as I do and just don't get off . Very thin leather imitation gloves can also help with grip with out bulk. Loads of balence straps out there Bates do one and lots of copies on places like ebay. I know some people use two reins sewed together in loops to make ladder reins again a tack shop or cobbler should be able to do this. Your local RDA will normally let you try out diffrent gadgets at a centre and this can often be more of a donation if you have a disability and you only need to have one lesson to try the things out. I paid £15 for an hours lesson on an RDA lovely horse and by using diffrent styles of reins it gave me ideas of what to buy before getting it.

 

[Ballyragget]

I have trouble gripping reins so am using thick very supple rubber ones with leather grips like the webbing ones. bought 4 martingale stops (the fat ones that go on the neckstrap) these fit on the leather grips at whatever is your riding length (mine are at 2 lengths so can ride long and low or with a contact). My saddler made the reins up at a cost of about £60 but they are well worth it. Hope you can understand what I mean - brains not in gear today!