Why do my reins continually get long

Birker2020

Birker2020

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I seem to have a bit of a problem with my reins which has gradually been getting worse. I am concious of holding my hands too low, this has been said on more than one occassion, and I also tend to draw my hands into my stomach whilst doing a downwards transitions. No matter how many times I shorten my reins I find within one or two minutes they are long again and its driving me mad! I think I am also trying to hard to hold my hands higher and this just makes me feel unbalanced and self conscious. I just find the way my horse goes and is built it feels very difficult to hold my reins high and shorter and everytime I do my horse raises his head above the vertical which I find frustrating.

My horse is very quick at taking advantage of longer reins. Does anyone have any tips on how I can maintain rein length. I have tried bridging them which helps when doing long canter stretches, for example on a fun ride or XC course but this is not very practical when I am schooling or doing a dressage test.
 
Try putting tape around the rein where you should be holding them or elastic bands to create a bump and hold onto that so you can feel it in your hand. Or...I hate them but those reins with the leather "bobbles" going down the reins.
And also if your reins are getting longer then i assume your hand contact is very loose. Make sure your fingers are always closed around the rein and have someone on the ground nagging you to keep your fingers closed around the rein.
 
HBBambee said:
Try putting tape around the rein where you should be holding them or elastic bands to create a bump and hold onto that so you can feel it in your hand. Or...I hate them but those reins with the leather "bobbles" going down the reins.
And also if your reins are getting longer then i assume your hand contact is very loose. Make sure your fingers are always closed around the rein and have someone on the ground nagging you to keep your fingers closed around the rein.
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Thank you I will try the elastic bands tonight. :)
 
Put a knot in them :-)

I know its like reverting back to child hood but they did that to us for a reason ! tape is a good alternative - also don't wind yourself up about it, getting wound up isn't going to help your riding !
 
The simple reason your reins keep getting longer is that you do not ''hold'' them correctly........... Keep your hand ''closed'' around the rein and create the correct contact from your elbow to the bit. Thumbs on top,fingers closed, elbows by your side, with bend in the elbow, and hands in a direct line from your elbow to the bit................... An elastic contact is created from the elbow, not by opening your fingers.
 
google 'rein bows'
they are brilliant to get you out the habit of letting your reins slip through your hands.
 
miss_molly said:
Continental reins are great for this issue.
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I would avoid tape and knots and elastic bands unless you want to look like a bit of a numptie (sorry if this offends people but coloured tape is a little like being at pony club)

I have exactly the same problem and use continental reins. I have used them even for dressage at FEI events and no one has ever noticed. If you get black ones with black webbing and black leather 'markers' then they just blend in. When I canter my horse tries to pull me forward and I end up giving the rein away. But with the continental ones I feel the 'marker' and know that if it slips past my finger then he's getting too much rein. Now , after about 3 years, he no longer does it as he knows he can't win.

Good luck, they are pretty cheap too , I found these on ebay at £15
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BLACK-LEATHER...t=UK_Horse_Wear_Equipment&hash=item588d36fa03
 
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