Neck strap

[Leam_Carrie]

My horse is a little fresh on grass coming back in to work. I could do without something to hang onto as last time I had an unscheduled dismount . Can I use a high bus neck strap to hang on to or should it be a leather one?

All advice welcome (horse has been checked by vet, physio and pro rider to make sure it is fresh not pain).

 

[Wheresthehoofpick]

I use a stirrup leather fastened so it can't come undone. Then importantly attached to my saddle with an old flash strap. So it can't slide forward and end up round my horses ears when the head goes down to buck/ drink/ hills !!

 

[Iznurgle]

I use an old stirrup leather as a neck strap and an "oh sh*t" strap attached to the D rings, just 10cm of rolled leather with a buckle on each end. Both have come in handy in the past! At work some of the kids have plaited soft rope into neckstraps as gifts for their favourite pony, the bright colours help littler riders remember to grab on. I've seen some people buy personalised plasticky (nylong like the endurance bridles) neckstraps from Etsy and the like. Martingales and breastplates will also do in a pinch, haha, maybe even a fistful of mane.

 

[little_critter]

I use an old rein as a neck strap (put the billet through the buckle hole, then securely tape round)
I find a rein more flexible in my hand and slim enough that it’s more comfortable to hold along with the reins.

 

[Flowerofthefen]

I use a synthetic racehorse one. Easy to clean, just wipe over and is very discreet.

 

[Leam_Carrie]

Lots of great ideas - thanks. I have plenty of spare reins / stirrup leathers / bits of bridle. I was going to buy something - but can now see I can improvise!

 

[ArklePig]

I use an old stirrup leather as well, I never need it because pony is a saint but I thought I'd better given he is hogged, no mane to grab! Rare occasion I forget it I feel naked.

 

[Ratface]

I ride The Ancient Loon in a Christ Lammfelle sheepskin pad. It has an "Oh s**t strap attached across the pommel. I always have my right hand little finger round it.
TAL has an advanced sense of humour: "if you can't take a joke, you shouldn't have joined".
Previously, with conventional leather saddles, used a stirrup leather anchored to D rings with a lipstrap.

 

[Peglo]

Peggy’s saddle had a flash looped through the D rings at the front of her saddle. But she was used as a lead rein pony at the trekking place so was mostly used for little kids to hold onto, don’t know how well it would work as a ‘oh s**t’ strap ?

 

[scruffyponies]

Don't need it as often these days, but I find the huge hairy grab-zone up the back of the pony's neck very useful occasionally. Can't understand why people shave off or plait such a useful safety device!

 

[Annagain]

I put a hunting breastplate on even though he doesn't need it just so I have something to grab.

 

[Steerpike]

I always have a neck strap with a finger under just incase, I have mine made for me as I prefer them thinner like a martingale neck strap as I find stirrup leathers too thick.

 

[Widgeon]

I always have a neck strap with a finger under just incase, I have mine made for me as I prefer them thinner like a martingale neck strap as I find stirrup leathers too thick.

I prefer them thin too, I keep two fingers hooked under mine whenever I think there's a risk of unexpected speedy sideways movement out hacking....I think mine is Shires, it was very cheap, looks smarter than a stirrup leather and does a good job.

https://gsequestrian.co.uk/products/shires-blenheim-leather-neck-strap-447g?variant=32766791417904

 

[Nasicus]

I have one of these:
https://www.donnaspersonalisedneckstraps.co.uk/shop

I went for hi-viz green with a handle (stands up above the neck strap for easier reaching) and saddle attachments (so it stays down where it's needed). I really like it!

 

[vhf]

OH got me a purpose made one after an unscheduled dismount. It's Dever leather, so is subtle and not too thick. Just have to remember to grab it...

Not saved me yet, but... sometimes rode old horse with a neck strap (rope!) and no bridle, so might eventually use this one in the same way on younger horse when she's a bit, um, more reliable. I'm thinking the additional grab handle isn't a bad idea currently. we are hill-walk-work rehabbing which yesterday required squeaks and bounces down the slopes and grunts and boings up them...

 

[Leam_Carrie]

I prefer them thin too, I keep two fingers hooked under mine whenever I think there's a risk of unexpected speedy sideways movement out hacking....I think mine is Shires, it was very cheap, looks smarter than a stirrup leather and does a good job.

https://gsequestrian.co.uk/products/shires-blenheim-leather-neck-strap-447g?variant=32766791417904

that is nice - is 60” horse sized? (16hh MW)

 

[Leam_Carrie]

I have one of these:
https://www.donnaspersonalisedneckstraps.co.uk/shop

I went for hi-viz green with a handle (stands up above the neck strap for easier reaching) and saddle attachments (so it stays down where it's needed). I really like it!

like the idea of one of these - high vis seems a good idea.

 

[nagblagger]

"Nasicus, said
"I have one of these:
https://www.donnaspersonalisedneckstraps.co.uk/shop

I went for hi-viz green with a handle (stands up above the neck strap for easier reaching) and saddle attachments (so it stays down where it's needed). I really like it! ]


Thank you for this suggestion - i have just ordered my (fun) personalised one!

 

[MereChristmas]

I use the neck strap off a running martingale. It’s thin and buckles properly.

 

[rara007]

Don’t laugh. I’ve made myself a handle…!
It’s a breastplate with the straps taken off (for speed of tacking up though I could have put clips on it) with an elasticated fillet strap. Perfect for helping me find balance without an accidental backwards pull on a very big moving newly backed miniature dressage horse! I could even trot with hands at normal height whilst holding it as it was the transition we were struggling with.

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

My horse is a little fresh on grass coming back in to work. I could do without something to hang onto as last time I had an unscheduled dismount . Can I use a high bus neck strap to hang on to or should it be a leather one?

All advice welcome (horse has been checked by vet, physio and pro rider to make sure it is fresh not pain).

Why don't you get one of these, I use mine often with my spooky mare. https://www.facebook.com/rstorsafety/

.

 

[Nasicus]

Why don't you get one of these, I use mine often with my spooky mare. https://www.facebook.com/rstorsafety/

They seem to have disappeared sadly. I kept musing about getting one years back, should have done so. Ah well.

EDIT:
Looks like the anchor strap is still about though! I've just ordered a happy hacker one.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/183759926342

 

[Rumtytum]

I prefer them thin too, I keep two fingers hooked under mine whenever I think there's a risk of unexpected speedy sideways movement out hacking....I think mine is Shires, it was very cheap, looks smarter than a stirrup leather and does a good job.

https://gsequestrian.co.uk/products/shires-blenheim-leather-neck-strap-447g?variant=32766791417904

I bought this one as I have small hands. Perfect!