Grass reins???

[Marchogaeth]

What kind should I get?? My situation is that my 14.1 dressage pony is current on working livery at my instructors yard (2hrs a week). Ponykins is safe as houses and very laid back, he will put up with anything! ...however he's clever, and he's figured out whether he's on grass or not, if he's pulls his head down the little ones fall off! He doesn't try it with me, or even think about it it's just with little or weaker riders!

So I want to get him some grass reins, but I haven't used them before so I'm not sure which to get??
I don't really like the look of the one that goes from D-rings to head piece? He carries himself quite well if he's allowed to and I think it might just encorage him to go hollow? Or am I being paranoid??
And then there's the ones that go from a D-ring through one bit ring over the poll, back through the other side of the bit and then to the other D Ring?
Or then that goes from D ring to bit??

Are any of them better than the others?

 

[FfionWinnie]

I prefer the daisy rein type as I think there is less danger of the kid being caught in them if they fall off. However new pony is a serious grazer and hauled the whole saddle up her neck to evade every sort of grass rein so we had to add a crupper as well. They all worked much of a muchness once the crupper was added!

 

[exmoorponyprincess1]

Back in the good old days when I was young and worked for rides at a riding school we used baler twine on all the trekkers! One piece each side from D ring through head piece at brow band and on to the bit ring...worked a treat! Maybe experiment with some twine and see which set up works best for your pony before buying? Didn't look the smartest but certainly did the job!

 

[Sugar_and_Spice]

Things that go from D rings to bit are basically side reins. The pony could learn to lean on the bit and drop on the forehand, they also prevent pony doing tight turns eg corners unless fitted loose.

I've no experience of daisy reins (D rings to headpiece).

Grass reins, traditionally made from string, go from D ring through bit and up through browband before going over the head down the other side through browband and bit then re-attaching to D ring on other side. Pony can bend same as usual but may learn to lean on the bit and drop onto forehand.

I would favour a bucket muzzle (not the grazing type) as once they learn they can't eat grass they usually stop putting head down. Unless they're doing it for the sole purpose of pulling a tiny rider off over their head and the grass is a happy bonus. Bucket muzzles only really fit over a small bit though eg snaffle without cheeks or kimblewick.

 

[saddlesore]

Libby's do ones that do the job and won't restrict the pony from bending etc

 

[Marchogaeth]

Thanks all!! He does it in the ménage just as much as he does it outside! and almost everytime he does the little riders go flying? I'm pretty sure the sole purpose is to get his little riders off, purely out of laziness as as soon as the rider is on the floor he marches himself promptly to the gate and waits there! -.-
He won't be wearing them much, I won't ride in them and older children shouldn't need them either!

 

[LovesCobs]

I tried daisy reins on daughters pony who throws head down knowing she will come off. But without the extra strap to go to pony's tail it caused the saddle to slip forward when pony tried it on!
So I got the equi aim grass reins which are working for us.
I was also made aware of Balanced support reins which look like a good idea but are around the £80 mark!

 

[Tnavas]

We made our own.
Some fine sash type cord. A plastic clip, strong enough to withstand a good yank from pony but would break if rider caught.

The cord was tied to the stirrup bar with a quick release knot, adjusted to allow pony sufficient freedom to jump smaller fences. Then clipped to the Bit.

We used these in the school for over 10 years with no problems ever! 20 ponies used them 6 days a week.

Instructor needs to teach kids how to deal with sneaky grazing.

Pull on only ONE rein not both, one rein unbalances the bit in the mouth and is harder for the pony to ignore. Pull on both and pony wins!

 

[Wiz201]

I use adjustable ones with a clip on our miniature horse when I long rein him on grass. He wears his driving harness with the crupper buckled up and they're attached to his bit through the turrets.