Marking Reins for Dressage Contact?

[kit279]

I know this might sound odd but I am always letting my reins slip through my fingers when I ride and after yet another verbally abusive schooling session from the OH ("Reins.. reins... REINS WOMAN!!!") I think it is time to get some assistance!

I want to mark the reins somehow to indicate where my hands ought to be holding on. They are rubber reins with pimple grips - how can I mark them so that the marks don't come off? I was thinking along the lines of electric covering tape like we use for taping up the horses' tails when hunting. Would that do or would it just come straight off and leave a sticky mess?

 

[dieseldog]

I used to use insulation tape, and it didn't come off. I found it really helpful in making sure I was holding the reins eveningly

 

[Paint it Lucky]

You could also try riding in continental reins as they are ready marked for you!

 

[shadowboy]

Tape came off in the summer for me when it was hot! I used tipex (white corrective fluid) as when it wears away you can just remark it. Just be careful you let it dry first!

 

[Kenzo]

Dont know exactly what they are called but do you mean the fine rubber pimple reins with the leather grippy things that go up in intervals (sorry rubbish at explaining things) those are what you need, your hands wont slip and you will also know the length of rein your using at all times and that you have the same amount of contact (length of rein) in each hand which a common fault when riding which people don't often realise their doing, which is why some horses find it difficult goin on a straight and even contact or start leaning on a hand etc

 

[EmbarrassingEllie]

I've been told to put plaiting bands on my reins where my contact should be, I've exactly the same prob as you.

 

[horseywelsh]

tipex good idea

 

[lochpearl]

Kenzo - I think you are talking about the Carol Mailer reins, they are fab and I know you can BSJA in them just not sure about BD.

 

[Kenzo]

No there nothing fancy, I didnt mean like bridging rein (sorry I said I was rubbish at explaining things lol

) They just have the little notches, so an instructor can see which notch your working on... plus you its good your you to check as a rider if you have the same length in each hand, they have a fine pimple, so you would not need to use a marker or plaiting band.

 

[luckyhorseshoe]

used to be (and sometimes still is) a habit of mine too. I brought some dressage reins, (plain on front and grip on inside, not as wide) and found it didnt happen as much but for a while i used tape, the stuff you can put on boots/bandages for xc!