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Post by judyh on Mar 28, 2015 7:42:32 GMT
Make sure you have a firm grip between your index finger and thumb. I prefer plaited, my daughter rubber. You could have leather markers stitched on. I did this when mine were tiny for walk and trot but only a knot would stop slipping if you're not holding your reins correctly.
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sarahp
Happy to help
Posts: 9,510
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Post by sarahp on Mar 28, 2015 7:57:38 GMT
Put your leg on to ask him to raise his head rather than have a pulling match with him.
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Post by catkin on Mar 28, 2015 9:33:37 GMT
I don't think its so much about the reins, as preventing this pulling down in the first place. Riding forward at all times and don't put up with it!
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Post by penduk on Mar 29, 2015 8:15:36 GMT
Ride for a while with a bridge in your reins so that when he pulls down he hits a sharp stop instead of gaining extra rein from you.
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Post by CarolineNelson on Mar 29, 2015 13:30:49 GMT
Very sensible advice from all the posters above.
In a 'nutshell' - don't let him! It's a rude habit which, for some reason, you have accepted. There are no 'special' reins in the world which will stop this habit.
Just sensible, precise, correct riding.
Totally back to basics here - Do you tie him up to groom, muck out, tack up? Is he allowed to walk all over you loose in his stable - Or do you make him move over for you (to command) as and when you need it?
A spell on the lunge with an experienced 'lunger' wouldn't go amiss, so he knows to accept and not fight the side-reins.
You are the boss. You make the rules. And, you do not need to spend hard-earned money on different reins!
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Post by CarolineNelson on Mar 29, 2015 13:32:54 GMT
Very sensible advice from all the posters above.
In a 'nutshell' - don't let him! It's a rude habit which, for some reason, you have accepted. There are no 'special' reins in the world which will stop this habit.
Just sensible, precise, correct riding.
Totally back to basics here - Do you tie him up to groom, muck out, tack up? Is he allowed to walk all over you loose in his stable - Or do you make him move over for you (to command) as and when you need it?
A spell on the lunge in proper lunging tack with an experienced 'lunger' wouldn't go amiss, so he knows to accept and not fight the side-reins.
You are the boss. You make the rules. And, you do not need to spend hard-earned money on different reins!
Apologies for duplicated post!!
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Post by bubbles1822 on Mar 29, 2015 14:44:00 GMT
So you can spot when he's doing this put bright coloured bands round the reins (either hair bobbles or plaiting bands or rubber bands) and when you notice he's managed to get more rein collect him back up and send him forward. Check your holding/gripping the reins correctly too!
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Post by CarolineNelson on Mar 29, 2015 15:27:49 GMT
So you can spot when he's doing this put bright coloured bands round the reins (either hair bobbles or plaiting bands or rubber bands) and when you notice he's managed to get more rein collect him back up and send him forward. Check your holding/gripping the reins correctly too! :) Some good ideas from Bubbles. However, you should be able to 'feel' that it's happening/about to happen, BEFORE he takes advantage of you, not just send him into your hand once he's 'done it'. In other words, teach yourself to think ahead of problems and become a 'pro-active', not simply a 're-active' rider . . . . YOU are the boss. Not him!! If he's doing something which is averse to you, then act upon it. Who pays the feed/livery/Vet etc.? You do. Who feeds him? You do. Who cares for him? You do. Who loves him? You do. BUT, with reservations at the moment due to this rein snatching. He will appreciate the 'intrusion' from you as they do look upon us - and respect us, as their 'boss'. This habit when ridden has formed as he he's been allowed to be pushy. As I advised above, if he has basic good manners in the stable and when being led, he should extend those basic good manners to when he is ridden. Edited to add - I agree with both posts below. It is the subtle technique of holding the rein, not how hard you grip them. To be honest, my first thought when I read your post was to suggest getting some good lessons from a helpful, sensible, experienced person. I felt this might be taken as being a bit blunt, but as it has now been said by someone else too, I'm adding the advice to this post.
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dizzie
Junior Member
Posts: 99
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Post by dizzie on Mar 29, 2015 21:13:11 GMT
Can anyone help please, my cob carefully sneaks his head down and my reins gradually slip through my hands. My standard bridle has rubber reins and double has laced and plain. Was wondering if plaited would be anybetter? Any advise appreciated? I really think you need to think seriously about this. Maybe you need some lessons from somebody experienced. If you want I could come and give you some lessons on holding your reins properly.
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sarahp
Happy to help
Posts: 9,510
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Post by sarahp on Mar 31, 2015 6:42:41 GMT
I wasn't an instructor, only a rider, but I've always understood and acted on the fact that one should have a light hold on the reins, the better to pick up signals coming back up them from the horse's mouth - such as this - and act in response to them. It should not be a question of you being able to grip the reins more strongly than the horse can pull. You won't win that one anyway! The use of laced, plaited or rubber reins was for hunting and XC when they may get wet and/or the horse excited and pull, not for normal hacking and schooling where they should not be necessary.
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