DIY Grass reins

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HopOnTrot

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Best way to make DIY grass reins? My son rode today for the first time since lockdown, my mare kept putting her head down to eat (she has EMS so food is life) he has hyper mobile fingers and is a total novice so doesn’t have the strength to pull her up. Him riding would make life easier as my mare gets work and his sister can ride her pony, he has ASD so coming back to an activity he’d previously shunned is rare!

Whilst he’s super keen to ride again I’m not chucking any money at him until I get more commitment 😂 so need to make some grass reins asap.

She’s also in a gag (she’s goes nicely in it and is happy) so where do I loop it through so it sits right? I may have side reins somewhere so would they work?

His sister has balance support reins and they’re amazing but £££ so not buying a second pair yet.
 
Buy these ones. What is different about these is when the pony puts its head down the bit doesn’t get dragged onto the bars of the mouth. The old fashioned ones that clip from d ring on saddle straight to the bit are not as effective. We tried the traditional ones when my kids were small - pony put its head down with such force the child became a missile as the saddle got pulled so sharply it acted as a slingshot.

I’m still worrying about whether it was appropriate for me to fall about with laughter as my son was catapulted through the air. He is 23 now, no lasting damage other than to male pride in front of the girls at PC.

Promptly bought these ones and problem solved.

www.ebay.com.au

Anti Grazing Grass Control Reins -Stops Pony From Pulling Kids Out Of Saddle | eBay

Cannot be used during competition except Gymkhanas for riders 8 years & Under. Prohibits Grazing. Pony Club Approved. Clip The First Clip Onto The D Ring On The Saddle. Mini Pony Cob & Full Sizes. Then Take It Up & Over Ponies Poll & Back Through The Bit On The Other Side Then Clip Onto D Ring.
www.ebay.com.au
 
Sorry, I laughed but my son had a similar problem at PC camp. Pony had a daisy rein but the saddle made it's way half way up her neck. I had to get a bit inventive to outwit her, she had a whole host of tricks up her sleeve. I had an old flash strap attached to the d-rings, then managed to find a rein with a clip both ends which I ran through the strap and clipped to the bit rings.
 
Side reins crossed at the wither rather than straight to the bit disapates the force somewhat. Sure you can do something similar with any strapping or leather work you have.

A grazing muzzle or 2 nosenets stitched together would actually be better at reducing the issue.
 
Peregrine Falcon said:
Sorry, I laughed but my son had a similar problem at PC camp. Pony had a daisy rein but the saddle made it's way half way up her neck. I had to get a bit inventive to outwit her, she had a whole host of tricks up her sleeve. I had an old flash strap attached to the d-rings, then managed to find a rein with a clip both ends which I ran through the strap and clipped to the bit rings.
Click to expand...
Crupper required also!
 
She wears a muzzle all the time when out but I think it would interfere with the reins.

I’ll have a play tomorrow morning. I definitely have bailer twine and I’m sure I have side reins!
 
Yes, we had a crupper too. She had learnt many evasions during her time at a riding school. PC camp reminded her of those 'boring' days so she created her own mischief. Fabulous character, brilliant out hacking. Wasn't a fan of school work at all. Made her feelings quite clear about that.
 
DS doesn’t want to do PC but enjoyed the hack, mare isn’t keen on schooling but loves hacking so it’s a good match and if I have him as a hacking partner that would be great, he starts private school this year so summer holidays will be 8 weeks next year and I struggle to ride when kids are at home.
 
I also had a full nose net that worked well when one of mine was bitless. He soon realised he couldn’t eat in it so stopped trying.
 
Old school ones were baling twine attached to the bit on one side, laced through the browband loop on the same side, then over the neck further down and tied (safety knot obvs) to the D- ring on the other side.
 
HopOnTrot said:
Best way to make DIY grass reins? My son rode today for the first time since lockdown, my mare kept putting her head down to eat (she has EMS so food is life) he has hyper mobile fingers and is a total novice so doesn’t have the strength to pull her up. Him riding would make life easier as my mare gets work and his sister can ride her pony, he has ASD so coming back to an activity he’d previously shunned is rare!

Whilst he’s super keen to ride again I’m not chucking any money at him until I get more commitment 😂 so need to make some grass reins asap.

She’s also in a gag (she’s goes nicely in it and is happy) so where do I loop it through so it sits right? I may have side reins somewhere so would they work?

His sister has balance support reins and they’re amazing but £££ so not buying a second pair yet.

bailing twine - it is what we always used for the riding school from D ring to bit
Click to expand...
 
We used the grazing muzzle in the end, it did the job and means I don't have to fork out for something new just yet. God knows where the side reins have gone as couldn't find them anywhere! Will put a shout out to PC for grass reins.

Second ride down and he is still keen he's said he just wants to stick to hacking and no lessons or jumping and for that my mare is very much in agreement with him, it's amazing how growing a few inches has really helped him and he can happily trot without me worrying he'll fall off!
 
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