Rs-tor

I am not sure of the technical answer but I use mine jumping and have had a few episodes where I nearly fell off but didn't… partly due to my saintly horse waiting for me to wriggle back into the saddle and partly perhaps due to the RS-tor. Not sure about bucking, I think they help if you realise its going to happen but you can still get taken by surprise. To me it helps me with my confidence and I am less likely to jag my horse in the mouth if anything a bit odd happens.
 
Hi, I have an Rs-tor that I bought after a very bad fall and have to say that I now never ride my young mare without it, definitely helps me stays during bucks and big scooby do style spooks, I don't notice holding it anymore as it felt a bit odd at first. It's very good to use to give you a bit of confidence and definitely helps me stay in the saddle. Best thing to do is borrow one if you can to have a try with as they are expensive but mine is invaluable to me. :)
 
I bought mine cos the youngster bucks. It allows me to have a secure hold but keep my hands up so I can bring his head up. a neck strap fixed my hands & I had no chance of pulling his head up.
 
I've just bought a second hand one, but not tried it yet. My horse (ex racer, can be lively) has been off work lame, and I've been off after an operation, so considering he very nearly bucked me off last time we went hacking I thought I would invest ;) Not been ridden for a couple of months now so it could be interesting;) I can normally sit his bucks, and tend to tuck my thumbs under the breastplate when cantering but that does leave my hands on his neck. I really like the idea of this, that your hands can be in a normal position. I find if your arms shoot out away from the horse you do tend to follow them, so I get the idea of how it will work - won't try it out until after next weekend but have high hopes!
 
I have one to give me confidence hacking alone. I have a very spooky green mare who spins when she spooks. She has also been known to catleap. My RS-Tor has saved me countless times. I use it cross country too. You forget you are holding it and it doesnt affect you hand position. Go for it!
 
Hi
I have an RS-Tor and I would recommend it. You just hold it in your handlike a whip (it attaches to the stirrupbars). I have felt it kick-in when a horse rushes forward and I have been left behind.

However I am nowconsidering an Air Jacket and Iwould be interested if anyone knows if they can be used together as they both seem to attach to the stirrupbars?
 
idx said:
Hi
I have an RS-Tor and I would recommend it. You just hold it in your handlike a whip (it attaches to the stirrupbars). I have felt it kick-in when a horse rushes forward and I have been left behind.

However I am nowconsidering an Air Jacket and Iwould be interested if anyone knows if they can be used together as they both seem to attach to the stirrupbars?
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Yes I have them both attached no problem
 
Interesting thread as I was considering getting either RS Tor or neck strap as my pony has a hogged mane so nothing to hold onto!
 
after my fall in march this year i was thinking of getting one, but now having ridden some different equines, i have my confidence back, but only on the 'right' animals.
 
Like mine a lot. Some people say they prefer a neck strap but this causes you to lean forward and you can not hold it all the time. The RS-tor sits in your hand like you hold a stick - after a while you forget your holding it. It has enough range of movement so you can still use the reigns as normal. It contain a section of rubber to absorb some of the yank and gives you a better chance of holding onto it.
There was one post that says if you hold one you're expecting to fall off and will. I'd say if it gives you more confidence you ride better and are more likely to stay on.
It will not go tight if your hands are in any normal riding position - if your hands start to go up its a good reminder to keep them low.

My only criticism is that it creates a loop of cord between the two stirrup bars - if you some how got you're arm in this there would be a risk of being dragged.
They should make one where the length of the handle can be adjusted and this loop can be kept very small.
Also someone else commented that if you hang onto it during a fall you're less likely to be thrown clear. This could be a danger if the horse falls.

I cannot see why they are not standard issue for learners who tend to slide off slowly.
 
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yes particularly good for huge off the floor leaps it feels like you are being pushed down into the saddle. have a very athletic powerful horse and has also helped as he has not got away with some bucks that would have dumped me. A friend gave me mine after seeing him bucking on the lunge after a long period off work for an injury. I announced I was going to ride the next day and he turned up with instructions not to ride the horse without it. He had put a piece of rubber pipe round the piece that goes across the stirrup bars so you can't get your hand or arm caught in it, the extra bit of weight makes it sit down across the withers at the front of the saddle, horse doesn't bother about it, also have an air jacket and have both straps but it does move the stirrups back a fraction, so will depend upon whether they are comfortable for you like that. Would definitely recommend.
 
mjpatch said:
It will not go tight if your hands are in any normal riding position - if your hands start to go up its a good reminder to keep them low.

My only criticism is that it creates a loop of cord between the two stirrup bars - if you some how got you're arm in this there would be a risk of being dragged.
They should make one where the length of the handle can be adjusted and this loop can be kept very small.
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Just to clarify for anyone that don't have one but considering buying one - You might want to check you have the right size, it shouldn't go tight and restrict your use of your hands and force them low. The strap isn't adjustable as it doesn't need to be as there are different sizes to buy depending on your height. Also, it isn't a "loop" it creates between the stirrup bars, it's just a connecting piece that can be adjusted so that it is fairly tight and it then it doesn't even sit as high as a monkey strap. Totally agree they would be very useful for learner riders also. Ive been riding for over 30yrs and after a very bad fall a couple of years ago I absolutely love mine and won't ride without it on my spooky mare.
 
Princess Rosie said:
The strap isn't adjustable as it doesn't need to be as there are different sizes to buy depending on your height.
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Hi, I'm quite tall nearly 6 feet and also have long arms. I ordered the medium/large size but still found this too small. It went tight as I put my hands forward while jumping. I think this was to do with my arm length more than the size of the horse as I has the same problem with smaller horses (16.2) and small fences 2'3", perhaps my technique is bad :-)
So I asked them to make me up a special will longer straps. This means the combined length of straps + handle is long enough.
Even with the normal size RS-Tor I had to increase the length of the straps so it does form a noticeable loop.
If some people can keep the straps very short they must have shorter arms. But I'd imagine most people would need to loosen the straps a little to fine tune it the length of their arms.
You want it to be long enough to not interfere with normal riding but short enough to come into play soon after.

When I used the word 'loop' I was referring to the shape made by the straps running between the two stirrup bars. In my case this is loose - hence a 'loop'.
I think they should sell 3 sizes to cater for male or tall female riders. Also the handle should be adjustable so the 'loop' can be kept tight to the saddle for everyone.

Anyone know why you are not allowed to use these at affiliated British Dressage and British Eventing contests?
http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/news...le-with-extra-long-strap/#CCQv4CgusOj8lrif.99
 
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I never thought about it being used while jumping so yes, I could well imagine it would be a little tight in that scenario. I'm 5ft 8 and have very long arms and find I have no issue with the medium/large but I don't jump my mare. Great if they can make you a longer one, maybe they will realise there is a need for different sizing, great to hear of a company being helpful. x
 
i have one and its the best £40 Ive ever spent!! Enables me to sit deep and stay in the saddle to big off the floor broncs. My young pony learned she can get me off with these and a nice spin thrown in, not any more :D I never remember to grab a neck strap but I forget Im holding the RStor. It also enables you to lift your hands when needed. I also have an air jacket and both fit on the stirrups bars just fine.
 
I have an RS-tor & an air jacket (which I'm very grateful for, my horse slipped over on the road recently, the only parts of me not injured were the bits covered by the jacket & my hat!), I was worried about attaching them both but it's been fine.
 
I think I would quite like one. I'm much more confident than I was 6 months ago, but have since hogged the horse - he looks really smart but the mane doubled as a safety handle for me!! I will admit I did grab a hold when I felt like I might need it (wobbly transition into or from canter, example).

Having something like this, which you are already holding, I imagine would make those 'wobbly moments' a thing of the past quite quickly.

diamonddogs said:
I make them, and sell them for a lot less than £40!

PM me if interested :)
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Would be interested in this - have pm'd you.
 
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