out of curiousity- neck straps

Do you use a neckstrap?

  • Total voters
    0
RubysGold

RubysGold

Well-Known Member
Joined
27 December 2006
Messages
6,782
Location
Yorkshire
Visit site
I was just wondering if anyone ever uses them.
And why? maybe its just certain circumstances eg jumping, or backing a youngster?
Or you always use one, from habit or loss of confidence??
 
Always! I've had it drummed into me that a neckstrap can be the difference between a fall and staying on. Even on ploddy calm horses I have one on.

I just hate the fact they aren't dressage legal past prelim! Why bloody not it doesn't do anything to the horse so have to go and fine a smart hunting breast plate as that's better than nothing.

My neckstrap is like my hat, I wouldn't get on without it.
 
While jumping, going XC or hacking on a horse which hasn't got much (or any!) mane. I don't find myself grabbing for it a lot, but I do like it there as a security if I get a dodgy striding and don't want to hang onto the horses mouth. On other horses, I just tend to grab a handful of mane :D xx
 
Always try and use it cross country ( when I remember to put it on ) as not only does it give you something extra to grap in times of peril, my horse has also been taught to slow down when you pull on it ( you do this by using bailer twine first and applying pressure along with the halt command horse soon gets the idea then you progress to a normal neckstrap ) it saves tugging on the mouth.
 
Always, always, always have a neck strap on every horse and for every ride.

If it is good enough for William Fox-Pitt, it is good enough for me and nothing to do with not being confident... ;)
 
I use one depending on the situation. If i'm riding a pony that needs bringing on or apparently naughty/fresh (yay for being small...) then I will put one on for the first couple of times as there is never much to hold onto with a little one if they do decide to be silly as I was always told never to pull on the reins if they do go off because it can encourage them to go faster (not sure if it's right - maybe i've spent too much time around people involved in racing!?). I like to have one on if i'm jumping or hacking as well just in case anything goes wrong.
:)
 
millitiger said:
Always, always, always have a neck strap on every horse and for every ride.

If it is good enough for William Fox-Pitt, it is good enough for me and nothing to do with not being confident... ;)
Click to expand...

Ditto! I always use my 'Jesus' strap - as does my VERY experienced rider - and all staff! We teach babies to halt with voice and a pull on the neckstrap, but even with older horses, if something goes wrong ....
 
I have, on occasion, held an extra rein. What I mean is, taking one rein and putting it under Len's neck, and holding one end in each hand, so I sort of have an 'open ended' neck strap. That way, I don't find it moves from side to side (which I don't like) and it doesn't pull my hands down and tip me forward. Works for me :D Hope that makes sense

J&C
 
Depends on who I'm riding but like one for hacking and jumping, just in case. Plus it's also a spare leather ;)
 
I didn't on my own horse but did always use a hunting breastplate which doubled as an outside hand stabiliser when she was being gobby. I hack a friends ex event horse out once or twice a week and he comes complete with neckstrap as his spooks can be perilous and very sudden! Although I've never reached for it - it's too far away and my reactions are too slow :o
 
i ticked always, because i can't remember the last time i didn't! i have the neckstrap very long, so that i can carry my hands in the correct position while having 2 fingers of my dominant hand threaded through the neckstrap. i've got a bit hooked on it since damaging my knee really badly, BUT i think it's a really good thing for the horse too.
e.g. the other day i was hacking home on Ellie, a cyclist snuck up behind me (didn't ring her bell), Ellie suddenly saw/heard her behind us and shot forward with no warning at all (0-60 in 3 strides, kind of thing) and because i had the neckstrap in my hand, i didn't get left behind, didn't move in the saddle, and didn't sock her in the teeth, just pulled her up calmly, turned her round to face the (now stationary and sheepish!) cyclist, and had a civilised conversation with her about it!
fabulous for jumping young horses when you have no idea what they'll do, too.
oh, and if it's good enough for Mr WFP (he talked about it in his Hartpury lect/demo, full transcript on EWW if anyone wants to read it) then it's definitely not shameful for any lesser rider imho!
 
I like having something in front of the saddle, usually in the form of a breast plate or breast girth :)

I would rather hook a finger under the strap than haul on the reins for balance :)
 
Not really - but Dan did go through a short stage of basically just saying 'No! I refuse' and sort of planting, and when I did use my leg, bucking. So for a short while I would hook one hand around his breastplate strap and REALLY use my leg (which usually resulted in a lot of stroppy bucking) until he gave in. Being able to just have a hold of the breastplate gave me some confidence to use enough leg as his bucks were very odd and very twisty :o That's the only time I can think of though.
 
I had one (a stirrup leather) on my lad for about 4 months after I backed him - just for something to grab onto especially when he learnt how to whip round out hacking!
 
I ticked sometimes, but would have selected almost always. Have to take it off when I actually compete, but otherwise something generally around horses neck. In fact like some others have commented, my boy turns, reverses and stops on his neck strap he's so used to it!
 
I am so used to having a "safety belt" that I dont even notice how often I hook on to it. EXCEPT WHEN I GO FOR IT AND HE ISNT WEARING ONE:eek::eek::eek:. That gives me a nasty jolt, and generaly Bob looses another chunk of mane:D
 
i never do, i can understand you do but have just never thought about it really. when my little cousin rides jack i always put one on mainly for when she trotting but it's always good for it to be there!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top