What do you think of this? The RS-tor

[xRobyn]

Just using it as an example as If I remember rightly that was the parelli excuse for not saving your head

Yes it is

 

[Ziggy_]

I have mixed opinions - certainly wouldn't use one myself, and wouldn't be too keen to give one to a novice rider - IMO they're better off learning to improve their seat, which won't happen if they have something to hold on to - a few falls should help give someone the incentive to improve their seat.

We all have plenty of falls when learning and I actually think this is important; I've met a few people who have had lessons for a few years and never fallen off and they all have this massive, morbid fear of falling off and are nervous riders as a result - IMO they need to learn that most falls are harmless, you get up, brush yourself off, and get back on the horse, no damage done. I think if RSs used these as standard so client falls were pretty rare we'd have a lot more nervous riders and riders who give up for good after their first fall (seen this happen a lot too).

On the other hand, I can see its use for the people who've mentioned they use one - on a particularly spooky horse, or if you're coming back from a bad accident and want to avoid another fall at all costs.

 

[stolensilver]

I had a very bad fall almost a year ago and I think this gadget may have saved my knee from being wrecked. Major reconstructive surgery is never fun! I am a good rider, jumped 1m 60 and competed at PSG on a horse I trained myself. Saying that you won't need a device like this if you're a good rider is nonsense. If you are on a young or unpredictable horse and they spook or explode everyone needs all the help they can get.

My youngster spooked at something and leaped forwards. She left me behind so I had to hang onto her mouth or I'd have somersaulted off over her quarters. Plus your survival instincts kick in when something like that happens and you hang on to whatever will keep you on the horse's back. Unfortunately because I was out of balance and hanging onto her mouth and a man came round the corner on a ride on lawn mower my baby horse lost the plot completely and erupted into a series of bucks where it was clear she wasn't going to stop till I was on the floor. If I'd had this gizmo it would have given me something solid to hang onto when she first leaped forwards, i wouldn't have got so left behind and maybe I'd have had a chance to prevent the bucks. It looks like a good idea to me and £40 compared with 5 months off work is a bargain!

 

[Onyxia]

Possibly slightly more effective than a neckstrap. First reaction would be to grip tightly (Our monkey ancestory) so no you wouldnt let go. And Yes ,the guy is definately a ringer, good rider trying to look bad. Not for me (but hmmm ,I used to fall off lance in unusual and imaginative ways at least once a month. ) Perhaps it is worth a try for some people ,and hey if it gives a nervous rider confidence I dont care if they ride with a teddybear.

How dare you give a perfect response?

I'm not keen,but as Mike said if it gives you a confidence boot whatever works works.
Personaly,I don't like the way it encourages the rider to rely with their hands.
When I have come off,it was lack of balance that made it happen. When I managed to stay put ,it was always good balance from my seat that saved me.

 

[Sussexbythesea]

I have mixed opinions - certainly wouldn't use one myself, and wouldn't be too keen to give one to a novice rider - IMO they're better off learning to improve their seat, which won't happen if they have something to hold on to - a few falls should help give someone the incentive to improve their seat.

I think more novice riders should use a neckstrap or one of these when learning to balance - they can just as easily try to use the reins to balance and this socks the poor horse constantly in the mouth. The number of lessons I've seen with the rider wondering why the horse won't go forward because every time they lose balance particularly in rising trot they hang on the reins. At least with one of these options they only come into play when you lose your balance and you don't damage the horse.

 

[Happy Hunter]

I would give the cob in the video a home! He didnt exactly bolt off with the brolly!!

The video is awful - but better than the picture advert i have seen them use - Its with a girl and a chestnut (Often in the pages of magazines) - where he is giving a massive buck and they claim the RStor is saving her -

BUT THE RSTOR is still slack and she is secure using her seat.
http://www.rstor.co.uk/home (At the top , second on the left)


That said, i dont think a good seat is going to save you - If this gizmo gave a novice or a pro a bit of confidence (riding a Teddy or a Youngster) im all for it.

 

[Onyxia]

I think more novice riders should use a neckstrap or one of these when learning to balance - they can just as easily try to use the reins to balance and this socks the poor horse constantly in the mouth. The number of lessons I've seen with the rider wondering why the horse won't go forward because every time they lose balance particularly in rising trot they hang on the reins. At least with one of these options they only come into play when you lose your balance and you don't damage the horse.

Meh,nothing like a few lunge lessions without reins to teach you to balance
Long and short of it,if you get on a horse you will at some point come off-most falls can be prevented by good balance(to quote an old instructor "the only thing keeping you a*se in the saddle is gravity,stop fighting it and learn to use it") but sometimes you just have to accept comming off....

 

[PurplePickle]

Interesting deffinately, would like to see whether it works for anyone when they really have trouble. I dont like having a lot in my hands though so would irritate me having to hold that aswell

 

[foxy1]

I have one!

First of all if you are on a horse that bucks/whips round/drops a shoulder the last thing you want to be doing is leaning forward and groping around it's neck trying to hang on to a neck strap. It's going to make your centre of gravity too far forward and the opposite place to where you want to be which is leaning back, lower leg defensively forward, seat in saddle!

Secondly you would not be using this strap to balance with as it is soft and quite long, unlike any kind of handle which beginners tend to rely on. (Either hang on to this or the horse's mouth; which is worse?)

To the OP I would recommend it. It has definately saved me from hitting the deck several times when riding a horse that has the most dirty spook/drop shoulder/spin 180 degrees/gallop in opposite direction combo! Also used it jumping a (different) pony that would gallop at fences and stop dead at the last second. You can sit up and back but still have some extra security attatched to the saddle!