Grass Reins

[Stenners]

Does anyone use these on their kids ponies or have any recommendations? Pony currently has balance support reins but now my daughter has got stronger and more confident and isn't losing her reins the pony is now evading and throwing her head to floor as they are elastic so her instructor has recommended getting some fixed grass reins or the one that goes along the mane and attaches to the head piece?

 

[FitzyFitz]

When I was teeny weak child my pony had a daisy rein, as it stopped her yanking me out of the saddle but didn't affect steering like side reins can.

 

[Skib]

I once rode (hacked) a largish RS pony who was in daisy reins. I used to hack a lot, in those days escorted, and since my favourite Connie had not yet arrived at the yard, I took any horse or pony that was offered. I remember the daisy reins and that particular ride as it was Boxing Day afternoon and the sun was shining and I felt very happy. But I also felt slightly humiliated having the daisy reins. The name daisy reins made me feel they were intended for little children. I think the pony was called Custard.

 

[Clodagh]

You can use baler twine to see if it works/what you think first, if you prefer.

 

[sbloom]

Just bear in mind it can pull the saddle forwards.

 

[HopOnTrot]

Following as I need a mounted games approved Daisy rein as she can’t use balance support reins in competitions but being a tiny dot on a giant 12.2 struggles without them!

 

[Gloi]

Just bear in mind it can pull the saddle forwards.

Yes. It's good to pair them with a crupper.

 

[94lunagem]

You can use baler twine to see if it works/what you think first, if you prefer.

That would have been my suggestion too.

 

[maya2008]

If the issue is only on grass, I have found true Daisy reins ineffective. I always ended up with a lead rope or baling twine as side reins instead, because that worked - pony knew it was pointless trying so didn’t. Not ideal but my many ££ spent on the correct equipment proved ultimately pointless. A correctly fitting saddle shouldn’t move…but some do, and a saddle over a pony’s withers is also an interesting experience!

Best remedy is child growing and getting big enough to kick on and deal with it.

That said, if your issue is not just on grass, at some point the child is going to have to learn to ride through it/ride well enough that the pony doesn’t bother because they are having too much fun to need to.

 

[sbloom]

If the issue is only on grass, I have found true Daisy reins ineffective. I always ended up with a lead rope or baling twine as side reins instead, because that worked - pony knew it was pointless trying so didn’t. Not ideal but my many ££ spent on the correct equipment proved ultimately pointless. A correctly fitting saddle shouldn’t move…but some do, and a saddle over a pony’s withers is also an interesting experience!

Best remedy is child growing and getting big enough to kick on and deal with it.

That said, if your issue is not just on grass, at some point the child is going to have to learn to ride through it/ride well enough that the pony doesn’t bother because they are having too much fun to need to.

Ponies are notoriously difficult to fit, even if the saddle stays back behind the shoulder in regular work I would worry about a saddle that doesn't move a bit if yanked by grass reins, there is such a thing as pinning a saddle in place.

 

[Peregrine Falcon]

We found out at PC camp that the daisy rein we had on April was ineffective. Pony knew that if she pulled hard enough the saddle shot forward followed by the child!

We tried a few other methods but found the best one was a flash strap attached between the d-rings of the saddle with a rein with two clips that attached to the bit running through it.

 

[maya2008]

Ponies are notoriously difficult to fit, even if the saddle stays back behind the shoulder in regular work I would worry about a saddle that doesn't move a bit if yanked by grass reins, there is such a thing as pinning a saddle in place.

I only ever had that problem with treeless pads or the Wintec pony we once had. Or if the ponies were overweight, in which case the wither disappeared and nothing was wildly stable. Usual checks on saddles fine - definitely comfy and fitting well. We had Welsh As though who can have absolutely huge withers, and a decent shoulder, if fit and lean.

 

[Jambarissa]

Side reins crossed over at the withers are effective and you can see how loose you can get away with.

If pony is diving for grass a grazing muzzle or two nose nets stitched together is better, they soon learn that they never get the reward.

 

[Stenners]

If the issue is only on grass, I have found true Daisy reins ineffective. I always ended up with a lead rope or baling twine as side reins instead, because that worked - pony knew it was pointless trying so didn’t. Not ideal but my many ££ spent on the correct equipment proved ultimately pointless. A correctly fitting saddle shouldn’t move…but some do, and a saddle over a pony’s withers is also an interesting experience!

Best remedy is child growing and getting big enough to kick on and deal with it.

That said, if your issue is not just on grass, at some point the child is going to have to learn to ride through it/ride well enough that the pony doesn’t bother because they are having too much fun to need to.

No, currently in the school, after a pole etc or just trotting pony will yank its its head to the floor and throw my daughter out the saddle! Only started doing it now my daughter is holding her reins correctly and they aren't like washing lines. Before anyone asks - she's had physio 2 weeks ago, absolutely fine no issues!

 

[Stenners]

Side reins crossed over at the withers are effective and you can see how loose you can get away with.

If pony is diving for grass a grazing muzzle or two nose nets stitched together is better, they soon learn that they never get the reward.

No grass involved at the moment, she's doing it in the school!

I've got side reins for her - can I do anything with those?!

 

[Kaylum]

Have you had her teeth checked and mouth for sores. There could be a number of reasons for example how the bit sits in the mouth. Grass reins won't fix them x

 

[maya2008]

No, currently in the school, after a pole etc or just trotting pony will yank its its head to the floor and throw my daughter out the saddle! Only started doing it now my daughter is holding her reins correctly and they aren't like washing lines. Before anyone asks - she's had physio 2 weeks ago, absolutely fine no issues!

I would actually suspect the rider - absolutely not the child’s fault, but inconsistent hands with an attempt at contact can be quite uncomfortable for the pony while the child is getting the hang of things. Some ponies are complete angels and just grin and bear it. Others object!

At this stage of learning with my children it was definitely them - and I just told them it was and that if they had their hands more still/consistent then pony wouldn’t get cross and snatch (well…in the case of little Shetland it was ditch kid on floor but same effect!). Kids learned fast to keep their hands more still and giving. I did lots of sticking them on the lunge and giving constant instruction to help, as well as things like holding a shoelace attached to a D ring to stop the hands going up/down with them in trot and a neck strap further up the neck (or plaited bit of mane) to indicate where their hands should go and stay for the jump.

When I had sharers straight from a RS for my bigger ponies I also used a bitless crossunder for this stage so as to allow the child to get the hang of a consistent contact without annoying the pony.