Reins while driving

[Marsha Cassada]

My reins end up laying across the back of my horses when driving. In a show situations, of course, I would be sure to keep them up. But in drives of miles, it is not possible to maintain that rigid posture. I still keep good pressure, but I can't hold my arms up in the air for that long!

Anyone else have reins laying across the backs of their horses while driving? It doesn't look that nice, but I can't really see that it's causing a problem.

 

[BSharpRanch]

While not ideal, the reins can lay. You just need to be aware of pieces of harness where they may get caught when looser. They make a piece that connects to the backstrap about where the breeching hangers lay.It has a small strap of leather (or nylon) with a ring at each end that the reins pass through. It does help keep the reins up better.

 

[MajorClementine]

Clementine still needs constant contact even during pleasure drives. So every drive for us is also a lesson in posture for me. I do like that my dads horse size harness has rings on the hip straps for the lines to pass through to keep them from potentially sliding down and getting caught on other harness parts.

 

[Reignmaker Miniatures]

yup, posture is my biggest issue. I like to slouch and showing demands I sit up straight and keep my hands steady. Sometimes by the end of a show day I wonder who is tired er the horse or me. LOL. Usually I think me because I try to get my horses fit enough to be there and my core muscles do not get enough work. Of course since we started our business I have done so little driving that we are both (all) in pretty poor condition. At least the horses play and run lol. I sit at a computer or on a phone all day.

I'd bet you could have a hip strap made with the rein turrets (sp) in it. If you used the one you have for a template the sizing shouldn't be an issue and a piece of tape could mark where you wanted the turrets added to a new one.

 

[Marsha Cassada]

I am good at posture and also work to keep a good balance in the vehicle. I just can't hold my arms up in the air indefinitely. (I went to a Catholic grade school and we were taught to sit up straight in our desks. Good posture is second nature to me. Thank you, Sisters!)

Maybe I can figure out about the terrets on the breeching. My leather guy could do it. It's amazing how much tweaking goes into a harness!

 

[jeanniecogan]

the reason i was told o hold the reins up, is so i have good connection to the mouth. you have no spurs, or leg control, so if you keep connection to the bit , you can tell him what you want. you have the reins and the whip and your voice. you should teach them all 3 cues. i taught charlie all 3 cues from the ground first.