Reins slipping through fingers!

[beckieswann]

I've been pondering on whether to post this or not but I was wondering if anyone could recommend any gloves, and/or reins?

I admittely am too tense through my elbows, but i'm trying to sort this with my trainer - but are there any exercises in helping to relax the elbows as I feel this is where the problem stems from - because i'm tense through my elbows, I feel my fingers are there to almost be the elastic my elbows aren't and unfortunately have developed a habit of opening my fingers when a contact is established - it doesn't help that my horse likes to take the pee - and pull the rein through - but we are working on his consistency and it's finally taken a fantastic turn - but I need help with keeping a consistent rein contact in my hand, and also making my elbows more elastic - any advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Toby_Zaphod]

You don't say what reins you normally use? You may find that a pair off rubber reins that have webbing under the rubber rather than leather will help. This makes the reins thinner, easier to hold as there is less in your hand & the rubber supplies all the grip you should need. As to your technique, your instriuctor will sort that out with you. Good Luck

 

[_daisy_]

have you thought about trying continental reins or tying knots in where you need your contact to be?
one of my mares has this habit when i ride her. she constantly pulls the reins through my fingers and i dont realise shes doing it - shes a bugger. i tried continental reins and these worked

 

[ester]

I suspect you do what I did, tense through your elbows so in order to get a 'softer' contact you open your fingers.

My instructor gave me bits of arena to hold with the reins - apparently she used pound coins with the kids and they can keep them if they dont drop them. Worth trying though.

Other poss is to put elastic bands on your reins at certain places.

am not sure glove/reins will help, it didnt make a diff to me it was technique. though I really like the biogrip reins as they are grippy and soft to hold.

I was also much better if riding with double reins

 

[Mabel98]

The best gloves ever are Macwet gloves, reins never slip. Expensive but worth it

 

[beckieswann]

Ah sorry I normally use rubber grip reins! Thanks Toby - definitely might be to do with thickness!!

I've put tape where I need to keep my hand, but I concentrate on them for a couple of minutes, as soon as I look up they've slipped!! I don't think I can do two things at once lol! I've thought about continental reins and will try them out for a couple of weeks - hopefully someone has some I can borrow at the yard!

Yeh Ester - I think that's what it is, and like the idea I shall try next time I ride - not with pound coins though - I need all the money I can get, lol!

Thanks for the ideas so far