Curious if any instructors use the brand name Balanced Support Reins to teach really small beginner riders, or do you have a favorite rein “rig” you use the get them started if regular reins are too complicated at first. I have Rainbow Reins, just seeing what all is out there with good results. And just saw Rein Bows. Both products are available in the Uk, but don’t see them in the US.
I’m not an instructor but saw this online and thought it looked neat. I haven’t tried and don’t know anyone who has.
https://www.justequine.co.uk/products/rider/freejump-collar-training-aid/
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Interesting. The pictures and videos I have found with the little riders and balanced support reins make sense. Also Interesting they don’t seem to be avail. in the states.
That looks cool!
Kizzie and Ettie on facebook are two tiny tots in the UK who ride with the balanced support reins on their wee ponies. Their mom loves them as a tool to help the wee ones.
Reinbows are handy but they are not ideal for pony size reins. They slip and slide on anything but nice chunky rubber reins, which is annoying for anyone with smaller hands (but great for para riders who have grip issues, which is what they were desigbed for originally).
What we have found works better for our small riders at the therapy barn my pony is at is reins with sewn-in leather loops in a few key spots. Better yet if you colour code them with vetwrap or similar to match traditional rainbow reins. There is no issue with the loops slipping, and we have a set in pony length, one in regular length, and one in extra long/warmblood length.
an alternative that would likely work well with the Balanced Support Reins would be buckle-on rein loops like what are sometimes used on harness racing lines. Because the support reins have holes punched for them to be adjusted already, you should theoretically be able to buckle rein loops onto these holes, which would again solve the slip issues on thinner reins.
Check out Freedom Rider for adaptive equipment in North America. http://www.freedomrider.com/store/ They sell Reinbows, if you want to go that route. Or take a look at other rein styles and aids they have that might be of use.
Many people feel that rein bows and similar loops are a safety hazard. If a little hard slipped through during a fall they could get stuck and be dragged, sort of like a foot in a stirrup. I bought a pair for my daughter and some of the ladies at the barn insisted they were a death trap. FWIW they were all drivers- loops seem to be more common, and considered very dangerous, among carriage drivers. I caved and never ended up using them.
I’ve had good luck with the rubber lined thin leather reins, with stops. I put electrical tape on the stops to color code them. They seem to be easier for really tiny hands to hold than the thicker rainbow reins. Also try tiny football gloves, they are stickier than most kids riding gloves and help the reins not slide out.
