Using a neckstrap?

[millitiger]

Have one on every horse and every ride.
I've used it less than a handful of times in the last year but wouldn't like to be without it.

If your horse has a long wither, a breastplate sits in a much better place than a neckstrap as a grab strap, I used to put both on my 18.1hh as the neckstrap was so far away it could only be found in extremely precarious situations!

 

[SOS]

I have them on fairly regularly, but only tend to 'use' whilst hacking. When cantering along a particularly pheasant-y bridle path I like to pop a hand on it with the rein still in my hand, that way if we have a bit of a sideways spook the horse doesnt get jabbed in the mouth.

Just realised it must be fairly loose as my hand is still off the neck whilst doing this.

 

[furrycat]

I use one all the time on my mare as she has a tendency to do a spook/leap/bronc combo which is rather unpleasant. I instinctively grab the neck strap and I find it stops my hands from flying up into the air and keeps me anchored to the saddle. Saved my bacon many a time.

 

[Red-1]

I never used one before having Jay, but he came with a rearing habit, and my trainer made me promise never to ride without. It was the best advice as it means he now responds to the strap as breaks, so if he is tense I use the strap instead of the reins, and his rearing stopped pretty quickly.

I now don't feel right on any horse without one!

For those not using a stirrup leather what are you using please?

I use the neck strap for a martingale, without any martingale. Sabre will sell you just the strap.

 

[teapot]

Every horse I ride in my lessons has one without fail (yard policy). I chuck a neck strap on the RDA horse I school out of sessions purely out of habit. (he's at a different yard). The RDA horse I have to warm up has a saddle strap, which I'm not not a fan of, certainly didn't grab it the one time I came off her!

From a teaching point of view, riders can get quite fixed hands if they're using saddle straps for confidence reasons. We're not allowed neck straps for RDA unless fixed/attached for either martingale or breastplate though, which is a pain in the backside frankly.

 

[ihatework]

No I don't use one in general. On a youngster I might pop one on because 'it's the done thing' but in reality I'd likely not use it.

I find they are positioned in the wrong place for me and if I go to grab it I tip too far forwards, which is often undesirable should you find yourself in that situation.

I much prefer a balance strap on the saddle D's and I've also been know to grab a chunk of mane!

 

[Asha]

I use one all the time, have done for years. Haven't had to use it much of late but it's always there just in case. Use it mainly when jumping.

 

[fattylumpkin]

I never really use one even when it's been there. I had one as a kind of psychological support when my horse went through a phase of spooking badly every fifth step or so, but I never actually reacted to spooking by grabbing for it. I think it's probably because I spent years riding bareback as a kid and my usual response to unexpected acceleration/deceleration is to grip with my legs and lower back like somebody just ran 25,000 volts through me. I think part of the reason I hate spooking is that I find it so exhausting, but luckily those days are pretty much over.

 

[MissTyc]

I use mine for hunting my gelding so I don't jab him in the mouth when there are unexpected big leaps + for jumping/hacking my young mare for the same reason - don't want my hands to punish their boldness!
I also use for balance when galloping up hills (i.e. being lazy!). And as the emergency stop as they slow down if I give the neck strap a few sharp tugs. They also turn well off the neck strap. Well, my gelding does. I pretend my mare does but she's not a very subtle horse and needs bigger cues. She'll learn.

 

[TheMule]

I use a breastgirth in everything I ride- this doubles up as a neckstrap. I don't use it often but it can be a great lifeline and I particularly like it on a young horse when they're going through that unpredictable stage when they start jumping- saves the mouth

 

[Mince Pie]

I use a breastplate and grab the 'handle', I find neck straps are too far forward for me.

 

[Shadowdancing]

I'm another who uses it as a training aid rather than something to grab!

My horse was very onward bound when I bought her as a 3 nearly 4 yr old and would just canter off as soon as you got your butt in the saddle!

I didn't want to end up hauling on her mouth and pippa funnels book on training young horses said a neck strap was a good way to say 'steady' instead!

Worked a treat and still pop it on out hacking as if things get exciting it gives me an additional source of brakes! She still responds to it.

 

[C1airey]

Currently saddle-less, so use the neckstrap when hacking bareback. Also use it for any fast/exciting work, or on unfamiliar horses.

 

[Dave's Mam]

I use an "Oh s**t strap" on my saddle.

 

[JennBags]

I got one a couple of years ago for my very spooky and sharp idxtb and it's the best purchase I ever made. When he starts feeling tense, I loop my fingers under it which makes me more secure without hanging into his mouth, and therefore my body language is confident which in turn gives him confidence. It's part of my tack, I never ride without it.

I've tried a breastplate before and it doesn't do anything like the same job. I do have short arms and I never have a problem grabbing the neckstrap, I bought a specific neckstrap from Libby's which sits really nicely on him, and as you can get in different colours I got a brown one to blend with the bay.

 

[silv]

I find it really useful to grab when riding without stirrups which I try to do every schooling session. My mare has a huge trot and I have been doing lots of work stirrupless to help me sit. I don't want to grab her in the mouth so if feel unbalanced use the neck strap.

Also I was guilty of not using my outside rein properly so sometimes I grab the neckstrap with my inside hand and ride in the school with just the outside rein for short episodes.

 

[Emilieu]

I never used one before having Jay, but he came with a rearing habit, and my trainer made me promise never to ride without. It was the best advice as it means he now responds to the strap as breaks, so if he is tense I use the strap instead of the reins, and his rearing stopped pretty quickly.

I now don't feel right on any horse without one!



I use the neck strap for a martingale, without any martingale. Sabre will sell you just the strap.

Brill. Thanks.

 

[rachk89]

Yup. Had to use it a lot recently when the horse decided behaving wasn't necessary. He behaves now but I keep it on just incase he has a change of heart. He does look odd now if i don't use it as i am used to it being there now. Will take it off eventually permanently but he has to prove to me that he is a mature horse now and not one throwing his toys out of the pram when he doesn't want to work.

 

[Sandstone1]

Does anyone use a rstor?

 

[Carlosmum]

Does anyone use a rstor?

Yes me! Love it, pony has a tendency to bronc so I can lean well back and still have a chance to pull his head up. With a neck strap I'd be forward & over his ears on no time.

 

[Lulup]

I rarely ride without one - my horses are all young and I find it a very useful piece of kit - Don't have to use it much but I do hold it in my right hand together with the rein in any potentially precarious situations and it def saved me during a rearing episode and stopped me hanging off the reins which might have pulled horse over. Feels weird to me now to ride without one - like driving without a seatbelt!

 

[Antw23uk]

I put a neckstrap on but rarely use it but its nice to know its there ... its a stirrup leather done up and the end is then taped closed (if that makes sense?) Unless im competing or doing a sponsored ride I never ride with a martingale which then takes its place and it just helps me keep balanced in faster work.

I certainly use it on the new mare .. she is rather forward going and we are still working each other out so makes sense to use a strap rather than risk socking her in the gob if she spooks or what not!

 

[NaeNae87]

I always jump with a neck strap.
I have it there incase I get a jesus stride or my horse is a little enthusiastic. I can slip my reins and steady myself without catching my horse in the mouth. It also helps with pullers. The horse ends up pulling against themselves rather than fighting me.

 

[milliepops]

For those not using a stirrup leather what are you using please?

I bought a Shires neckstrap, was about a tenner.

I use it when jumping anything babyish- hook a finger in it and then if they throw an awkward jump you won't sock them in the teeth. I also liked to have one when jumping ditches out hunting.

Now I stick it on when we are training anything that can get a bit airborne - last used to start Kira's flying changes which were sometimes heavy on the flying element and light on the change! I rarely touch it but nice to know it's there.

 

[Tonimarie]

My boy has a habit of napping to left or right. His front end litterally disappears and I have ended up on the floor or hanging on, which results in me pulling on his mouth :-( and makes him spook more. If I used a neck strap, howwoukd this help?? ....surely if I grap the strap as he ducks to the side, the strap will just slide round his neck as I lean on it??? I've seen some that attach to the D Rings or to the girth, like a martingale and am wondering if something like this would be better?

 

[flying_high]

My boy has a habit of napping to left or right. His front end litterally disappears and I have ended up on the floor or hanging on, which results in me pulling on his mouth :-( and makes him spook more. If I used a neck strap, howwoukd this help?? ....surely if I grap the strap as he ducks to the side, the strap will just slide round his neck as I lean on it??? I've seen some that attach to the D Rings or to the girth, like a martingale and am wondering if something like this would be better?

I have used, half a rubber rein, with billet end done up to the buckle metal the other end, hunting breast plate and R-stor. All are useful. I think you need to see which is at the right place just below your hands for you to grab. I didn't find a neck rein rotates, but on most horses it is too far forward for me to grab. Oversize hunting breastplate top strap is just right. R-stor is long enough could hold and ride normally at spooking points.

My horse naps, and I found Jason Webb's one rein stop work helpful. Effectively use inside rein (away from the way are napping to turn nose to foot on a small circle, and disengage them, and then send forward when facing way you want to go).

 

[lme]

Always - its useful if my horse spooks and, like a few of the others here, she will slow down / steady if I pull on the neckstrap.

 

[oldie48]

I also always use one and have a neat proper job. I don't use it much but it saved me last Monday week! I also like to put my hand on it when I mount.

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

Interested to know how many of you use a neck strap, and do you actually use it?

I always put one on my youngster, and will sometimes put one on my others if going hunting or XC. But I find that I rarely actually use it. With my big lad in particular I find that it doesn't really sit in a useful place for grabbing in emergencies, but I'm not sure whether it is a case of 'training' myself to go for it when needed!

I prefer a monkey strap https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-Prem...hash=item3fc83d129d:m:mAv1lwKYYFvMJbreVxtbyRg

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

I have my "jesus" handle. Its a leather leadrein stylishly duck taped to the two rings on a breastplate so its sticks up.
I find this much easier to grab in a crisis (another with short arms). I also tuck a finger under it when the horse is a little 'bright' or likely to spook.
Because it stands up, its much easier to grab and has saved me on many occasions. Sometimes I don't even know I've take a hold of it.

ah you mean monkey strap https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-Prem...hash=item3fc83d129d:m:mAv1lwKYYFvMJbreVxtbyRg