Page currently shows winner of today’s cross country race and you can see the jockey using this very fine neck strap. Have never seen this before, can anyone tell me more?
This Aussie eventing article might help.
https://www.an-eventful-life.com.au/eventing-news/training-tips/neck-straps-are-not-just-beginners-says-william-fox-pitt
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Indeed, but I’ve never seen a neckstrap that’s so narrow and fine before. Love to know what it’s made out of, it’s very inconspicuous. I ride a large horse and I do often use a neck strap for cross country jumping.
The neck straps we use are 1/2 inch leather. It is hard to tell from the linked picture but I suspect anything less than 1/2" would be unsafe. Why not use Google and see what is now available.
" I suspect anything less than 1/2" would be unsafe"
IMO and experience it comes down to the quality of the leather, stitching/buckle.
I ride out, school, hunt, start/break and rode races using a yoke. Which is pretty common race equipment in this country. The “neck strap” on most yokes is maybe a half inch? I’ll take a measurement out of curiosity.
I don’t much like just plan neck straps. They move around easily. Good chance it won’t be in easy grab distance at when needed. Especially if the horse “bobbles” and runs up its neck.
I can expand the picture so it is hard to see exactly what is being used. But I agree it looks like a “skinny” one.
FWIW, a rider I know has a quite narrow neckstrap that appears to be made of plaited or woven nylon (or other synthetic) so the whole thing looks about 3/8" wide but strong as the dickens! Think narrow dog collar but big enough to sit just in front of the saddle. I asked her to get me one, but it hasn’t happened yet.
