Reinbows - Ever used them?

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Creaturescape

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My reins move through my hands gradually and I eventually end up with a totally useless contact. This has been happening for years, but in an attempt to stop it once and for all I went to the local tack shop to buy the sticky est reins money could buy.

They told me to try reinbows which I fitted today and schooled with.

My horse seemed to get lower and lower (all good at the moment - he's only a baby) and I dropped the reins to make sure he was carrying himself, which he was, but I thought he became heavier in my hands. Now is that just the feel of having a horse in my hand and not feeding it my rein as I have done in the past? I am worried the reinbows have created a contact but caused me to lose some lightness.

Anyone used these and got any thoughts? I can't decide whether these are good or not. Hmmm.............
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i think they are a horrid invention actually and can quickly see it turning into a tug of war with a horse- or as you have found a horse which leans.

why not put coloured electrical tape on your reins where you want yuor hands to stay? or i have known other people loop plaiting bands there so there is a speed bump in the way to stop the reins slipping.

imo, the invention above will never cure the habit, only prevent it when the aid is used as the extra bulk in your hand will not help you to automatically have a relaxed, closed hand.
 
eww what horrid things! I would guess it really depends what you are doing, but I think they would be useless for schooling!

Like others say how about marking you reins at various points.
 
Not used those but agree with putting something around the reins to mark them. I use black tape as I'm terrible for the reins slipping through my fingers.

Not a good look in a dressage comp to have washing lines
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How are you supposed to change the length of your reins for transitions - I'm fairly sure you would need a shorter contact in canter than in walk. What happened to the good old knot in the top of your reins lol ! I think tape is a good idea or continental web reins or my sister rides in rainbow reins at home as shes one for dropping her outside contact she then knows she has an equal contact on both sides
 
That's really interesting - I was just about to order some, as I have the same problem as you - I can't seem to hold onto my reins whatever I do. I tried yesterday the noddy version of putting a big knot in my reins, just to see if it worked, and I think it did make my contact more consistent and the horse more settled in his mouth.

I think if they are fitted in the right place then they will probably be doing just what you should be doing - keeping an even contact without slippage. My concern with them is more that it's harder to make small adjustments to the rein length and so you start compensating in other ways (putting your hands too far forwards or back, and so altering your position). I found that my knots were ok in trot, but that I was being too restrictive in walk and needed to let him have a bit more rein.

It does sound as if usually when he gets heavier you give him the rein and so you don't notice the heaviness, rather than asking him to be lighter through your legs and seat, lifting your hand a touch, playing softly with the contact, using a bit of lateral work, etc.

Are you making sure you have very frequent breaks as he is only young? When working in an outline my younger horse seems to need to stretch along his neck and back very often, and then comes back much lighter after a couple of circuits on free rein.

I'd be interested to know how you get on with them!
 
Hmmmm......very interesting. Thanks everyone. I have a lesson with my trainer at 2.30pm today so am going to ride with them and see what she thinks is going on. I shall post the outcome for anyone who is interested.

I like the idea of a knob of elastic bands at strategic points on the reins. Wish I'd thought of this first. I've got to cure myself somehow. Seems the elastic bands idea has more potential for keeping a lighter feel and can move the knobs as needed.

Hmmmm..........
 
In defence of them I think I would really find one useful at the mo as I have minimal grip in my left hand and they might help. However as this should be a temp problem I wont be forking out!
 
Wouldn't touch them with a barge pole, the aim isn't to have an unmoveable contact!

If you are struggling with your reins slipping then why not get some laced reins (like you use on a double bridle) they are good for stopping the rein slipping as the lacing is like a speed bump. Or the ones with the leather sewn on every two inches (I don't like these but lots of people do).

But really you need to address what is going on with the horse leaning on your hands. You absolutely do not want to start a tug of war.

Is he happy in his mouth? Is he balanced? Is he working through from behind, lots of horses when they start to come through and round start to power themselves into the ground. You probably need more leg, lots of half halts, to lift your hands and to steady the pace.
 
Ok I've had a lesson this afternoon with my trainer and the reinbows were abandoned quite quickly. Damn and curses they are not going to cure my rein slipping problems.

You are right Katt. Reins need to move. They are very good at doing what they say - stopping the rein slipping. But I needed to be able to shorten and lengthen and of course they do not allow for this. I even tried lengthening by dropping the loop and then trying to pick it up again, but the gadget is quite bulky and it made this far too clumsy.

I am sure they must be good in some situations. Perphaps if I was having difficulty in one particular gait and could set them in the appropriate place to get the hang of things. Or maybe jumping. I don't know, but its back to the drawing board for me.

Tommorrow I shall mostly be threading plaiting bands into strategic places along my reins! Good luck anyone else who tries them and/or is trying to cure their own rein slipping issues!
 
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