Flexi Reins

[Sarah1]

Hi guys

First of all I'll wish you all happy new year as it's the 1st time I've been on in 2008!

Please could you give me some advice/info on flexi reins? I wondered if any of you had used them and if so how did you find them?

I'm not a lover of gadgets but my lad gets very tense & blocks me with his neck - I've been down the usual routes etc and my instructor has him going beautifully so I know he can do it but just not for me...! So I thought I'd give them a go as I believe my plebian hands are to blame!!!!

I am working on correcting my (numerous) faults! But thought in the interim the flexi reins might just help me keep a softer, more elastic contact?

I've found some on ebay for £12 - I thought that was enough to pay without knowing how I'll fare with them! I didn't want to fork out £65 for the Carl Hester reins!

Thanks

 

[vhf]

At that price it's prob worth trying them? If you were local I'd let you borrow mine as they were given to me... I don't really use them, but did put them on one who snatched at the long reins - he stopped soon after, but who knows whether it was connected... I found them quite stiff, so a very subtle change in the "feel" - which was fine, I wouldn't have liked it any other way.

 

[Cop-Pop]

I use the Stubben ones for my mare - she is very strong and pulls like a steam train but if you drop the contact in anyway she takes off. Since using them she has softened considerably - so much so that both my instructors have started using them with their youngsters. They don't seem to suit all horses tho. TBH the only reason I tried them was I saw some cheap on eBay too!!

 

[Sarah1]

Thanks guys for the replies - I think at £12 even if they don't work it's not a huge loss!!!!!!! Will give them a go!