Grass reins?

[carthorse]

Which are the best? My Grand daughter is wanting to ride off the lead rein but needs some help . Today I attached a pair of extra reins to the top of the bit ran them through the space above the browband and then down the mane to the D's of the saddle.
I have looked on ebay and they seem to have various designs. Has anyone any experience of the different types.
Thanks

 

[teapot]

From my years of riding school experience and teaching the littlies out on hacks (all learnt to canter outside of an arena hence the grass reins

) we used either normal side reins in the smaller lengths available which we did from girth straps to bit or the leather true 'daisy' reins from saddle d-rings to headpiece.

We had one pony where we had to go from bit, up through browband/headpiece and across to saddle d-rings (and the only thing we found to work properly was baler twine

)

Tbh, either work in exactly the same way so I guess it's personal preference. I preferred the true daisy rein as it means their rein contact doesn't get interfered with as long 'kiddie length' reins always ended up in a mess with side reins. Leather daisy reins are less noticeable/don't look at messy if you know what I mean?

Like so: http://images.robinsons-uk.com/product_images/large/35301-01.jpg

 

[carthorse]

Thank you very much do they slip to one side as I can't see how it remains central at the poll?

 

[teapot]

I can't say I can remember ever having to adjust them whereas the other way just got annoying when doing girths, shortening reins etc etc.

The true daisy rein is attached to both D-rings which keeps is vaguely central so really the maximum it can move to either side is the width of the pommel anyway (unless obviously it's not done up to the correct length/tightness)

Also a little trick - make a small gap at the very top of their mane/forelock so it sits between & below the rest of the forelock & mane.

 

[carthorse]

Thank you . I did like the look of them but wanted to be reassured that they would be ok.

 

[teapot]

IMHO - ideal for what you want/need

 

[Hels_Bells]

We used to get 2 bits of bailer twine, tie on to bit, thread through the brow band and attach to D's on saddle!!! Worked a treat and looked extremely sexy!!!

 

[carthorse]

Well I wanted to use baler twine but daughter said she wouldn't be allowed to use them at pony club and could I get some proper ones. They were fine when I was a Mum and she was the little rider,lol.

 

[Hels_Bells]

Tee hee!! I don't know.. the youth of today!!! We were always allowed bailer twine. Half of the Pony Club would have been on the deck without it!!! "Real" grass reins were almost frowned upon!

 

[Woody78]

When my daughter was small we bought a pony who had been used to an older child. The older child used to love sitting on the pony at show/pc etc chatting to her friends and allowing the pony to graze. Great for a 12hh pony!

it would probably be frowned upon now but we used dog leads. The loop handle went through the bit (below the reins) and the length of the lead was passed through the loop. Back to the withers and crossed over and clipped onto the opposite side 'd' ring. They were the perfect length.

Prior to this my poor 4 year old had come off over its head endless times. It used to trot along, and in one motion - stop, head down to graze!

After a year of 'grass reins' the pony completely stopped the habit.