Self preservation is entirely different then using it during a test.
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Is a grab strap for half @ssed riders? :):):):):):):):)
I think it is a bit funny to ask about, but if you need it, you need it. So use it when you need it. Frankly, a black strap on the pommel ain’t gonna stop the spook from H_E double hockey sticks, but it may save your life.
Death before honor? Heck no!
:):):):):)
Dixon what exactly is your issue? The question is about using a bucking strap. You’ve stated rather directly that anyone who uses one - CAN’T RIDE. Or according to your theory on how to correct everything - there is no other way but your way.
I’m 57, started riding at 12, I breed warmbloods and sportponies and I stand behind my statement that while we do have a defined program for starting horses - NO TWO HAVE EVERY BEEN THE SAME. I’ve been breeding for 22 years and we do all the ground work on young horses and used to start all of them. But having had my back broken and a few other serious injuries with young horses - I’m not saying this strap will avoid that - but in some instances it can help the rider. It’s rather ridiculous to infer that having the bucking strap on the saddle is some blinking advertisement stating " I can’t ride". It’s not.
And the REAL RIDER remark was just not nice. For those of us who handle horses from pullng them out of their mares - we know all to clearly about fixing problems - ours are handled every day. But there are times when NOT getting injured comes first - fixing the horse or ponies problems has to come 2nd.
[QUOTE=ise@ssl;3506804]
Dixon what exactly is your issue? The question is about using a bucking strap. You’ve stated rather directly that anyone who uses one - CAN’T RIDE. Or according to your theory on how to correct everything - there is no other way but your way.[/QUOTE]
My issue is your personal attacks and mischaracterizations of my posts. State your opinions, but why question my riding experience? And where did I say directly that anyone who uses one can’t ride? Or that there is no way but my way? Or that a bucking strap advertises that one can’t ride? Honestly, you picked the fight, and I’m simply defending my stated opinion, which is that using a grab strap has drawbacks.
I don’t think it’s a big deal one way or another- I have straps on my saddles- we call them ‘Hail Mary straps’ and they do come in handy at rare occasions.
I think it does no good to deflate other riders and fellow dressage enthousiasts if they have one or not. I think it’s a wise thing to use when you realize you’re not steady enough- be it that you are temporarily stiff, have those days of the month or are out of balance- plain out of shape or just not having a good day. It doesn’t make you bad- just not suited for that moment.
It’s wise to use for those that have a horse that temporarily overfaces them with their generous movement- again- better not to teach the horse a serious dental rearrangement- because of harsh hands- and rather encourage the horse to move large and adapt over time…this sport is not suited to putting each other down- because a large part of the progress in the sport comes from physical and mental confidence…so let’s not deflate each other in such a mean way- especially if you don’t ride and just pronounce theory.
I have rarely used my straps- but I know there is a time every so often- when I have a horrible day at work and my self confidence is smashed and I ride my big horse who tends to be spooky and feeds off my low self esteem (on such days)- that’s when I look at my Hail Mary strap and say Hello- glad you’re here…:)!!
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Yes, sometimes things happen, and real riders try to teach the horse something instead of just hang on. To address your ad hominem attack, I’ve been riding 35 years and counting, and worked with scores of green-broke horses, mostly OTTBs. Started at least 20, back in my more elastic days. I’m about training and method, not just staying on, and it’s important to nip misbehavior in the bud. When a horse spooks to the side, you use all your aids to move the horse back over to where he’s supposed to be. Takes both hands. And I find the mane quite adequate to grab when necessary – there’s little chance of pulling the horse backwards on top of you when grabbing mane – it physically requires you to lean forward, which encourages the horse’s front end to stay down
a lot of us who have them on our saddles are not using them for this reason. Have you ridden an upper level horse, there are times when it is hard not to get pulled out of the saddle when you are 120 pounds:lol:
Seriously, there are different uses for them…would I hold it in a test? no
I see them on the saddles of some of the top dressage riders and I am sure they know how to deal with misbehavior.
:no:
[QUOTE=DownYonder;3502149]
I don’t have my rule book handy. Does anyone know if it is specifically against the rules to hold onto your grab strap in a USDF competition?
Reason I am asking is because a judge at a show apparently told someone she could hold onto her strap through the test. 
If it’s not illegal, I imagine that a lot of riders who are struggling with sitting trot could probably improve their scores by holding on. ;)[/QUOTE]
This was the original question.!!!
The opinion expressed by many is that needing to use the strap continuously, as in to sit the trot, or steady the hands is an indication that the rider needs more work before attempting that movement or level.
The responses I’ve read do not indict riders for having one on their saddle, or using it in enmergency.
Slow down and learn to read!!!:yes:
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I have no idea of the rule, but I don’t believe that the use of the neckstrap should be allowed in dresage because a dressage horse should be obedient to the aids and the rider should be capable enough not to require such a strap. A horse who bucks in dressage is disobedient. I know it happens, but until the dressage rules require safety helmets for all riders at all levels, I don’t think they should allow “safety straps” either!
Might not be the logical argument, but it’s mine
I don’t have the same attitude to jumpers. Different sport, different rules. My instructor has twice won the GP horse of the year award in SA and has represented our country on more than one occasion. She is a very accomplished rider and she STILL jumps her young colts with a neck strap, even at their first shows.
But then, she also wears a good helmet.
I think there is nothing wrong with having grab straps on your saddle for schooling or showing. I have grab straps on all my saddles. Take them off for a show–Never!!!
Would I use them at a show if needed? Yes.
When I get lunged, I am glad they are there to help me find the balance of the exercise and gain confidence in both myself and the horse. Learning how to deep better on a medium or extended trot – love my grab strap. Great for tying off my drawreins when they are not needed.
For riding green horses, helmet and grab straps go together as a pair --better than snatching the green horse in the mouth and making a bad situation worse.
I have no idea of the rule, but I don’t believe that the use of the neckstrap should be allowed in dresage because a dressage horse should be obedient to the aids and the rider should be capable enough not to require such a strap. A horse who bucks in dressage is disobedient.
oh, sorry, I forgot that dressage horses were born obedient…in fact the number one horse/rider in our sport would never need one:winkgrin:
[QUOTE=Bogey2;3507402]
oh, sorry, I forgot that dressage horses were born obedient…in fact the number one horse/rider in our sport would never need one:winkgrin:[/QUOTE]
Bogey, sorry, I obviously didn’t explain myself very long.
I didn’t say they were born obedient, I know they aren’t. I just find it ironic which allows riders to ride without helmets (on the premise that a horse should be sufficiently well-schooled that one is not required), allows a neck strap.
Either we acknowledge that horses are horses and can and do sometimes do things which compromise rider safety…or we don’t. I find the two rules a bit contradictory.
As I said, it may not be the most logical argument, but it’s mine 
[QUOTE=CTM;3503971]
Just a question -H/J people never have grab straps except for little beginner kids. Why do so many dressage people have them?[/QUOTE]
Often h/j and event people have a martingale strap or a breastplate strap that can be used as a grab strap in an “oh sh**” moment. A breastplate strap can also be used to anchor hands a bit, a la a bucking strap, in situations where the rider wants an aid to stabilize hands or seat.
FYI, you’ll see BNRs using jumping neck straps running around x-c in the UK even in four-star events like Badmington, a situation where a little grab strap just won’t suffice!
I think anything that would make a rider safer IE helmet, grab strap, safety stirrups should be allowed.
As a rider of young horses I have put a strap on the front of my saddle “just in case” but honestly in all my years of riding I have never grabbed it! I make sure the release at the top of the stirrup bars are down, stirrups are wide enough for my boots, safety helmet on and secure, area around the arena quiet, almost a ritual to ensure my safety, and then just ride through whatever happens.
I have suggested to a few students to use one for training. If they are on a big moving horse that needs a quiet outer rein, I have them touch the knuckle of their outside hand down to the strap and feel where still and quiet is. For a rider that can’t yet do that I ask them to hold the strap with the rein in their outer hand for a circle, then let go and try and reproduce the quiet steady hand on their own. Great tool!
This thread is rather funny, IMO. Very similar in fact to the person who boldly states “I never get bucked off!”. Upon further investigation, you find that the person rides a 30 year old QH once or twice a year :lol::lol::lol::lol:.
My point?? I think a grab strap strap on a saddle is a good idea fo darn near any rider! Just recently we had a gal ask if Craig would take her horse in for training because he bucks. Not hard, just crow hops enough to get her unsettled. Craig suggested she put a grab strap on her saddle so she could use her whip and send this lazy beast forward. She was insulted and informed him that she would NEVER use a grab strap :eek: (Good riders don’t need them, you see). Allrighty then, pay someone else then, who WILL have a grabstrap, to fix your beast!
The grab strap is LEGAL to have on your saddle.
It is not there to be used to haul yourself into the saddle, hold on for dear life during extended trot,etc.
If you USE the grab strap during a test, almost every judge will mark you down under rider and for that movement as usage demonstrates poor riding.
Top riders have grab straps usaually for warm-up/schooling situations, let alone awards ceremonies.
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[QUOTE=canyonoak;3507819]
. . .
Top riders have grab straps usaually for warm-up/schooling situations, let alone awards ceremonies.[/QUOTE]
Victory Lap gallops? :lol:
Eileen
Ditto all of the above!!! I’m laughing my butt off at all the holier than thou posts about grab straps. If you don’t want to use one–fine, but just because some of us have found good reason to have them doesn’t make us crappy riders, scared to discipline our horses, too afraid to show or unknowledgeable horse people!!! I love the insinuations by people that they have no need for them because they have ridden greenies, buckers, packers, etc and they just never fall off :lol: If someone thinks they will look foolish by having one on their saddle even when there are many top riders who do, I think you should stop worrying so much about your ‘image’.
By the way, another top 5 reason to have one on your saddle—that’s how I usually carry mine if my hands are really full! :winkgrin:
Wow… some very strong opinions here. After reading this discussion, I will definitely put a grab strap on my saddles. Had I had one when my 4 year old TB put me in the hospital, it might have saved me years of trying to rebuild my confidence, as well as a fruitless 1 year search for a trainer willing to get on him and retrain him. Once a smart horse learns they can have you off, they will try it over and over again and he launched 4 different, very expensive, very talented trainers. Luckily, I finally found one smart enough to use a grab strap, and now the horse is a babysitter. Anyone who states that ANY BUCK on ANY HORSE can be controlled with good riding do a disservice to the safety and confidence of every rider who works to improve their skills every day. It is a great tool for schooling to learn how to develop a deeper, more secure seat, a confidence lifeline for the timid, and a 'holy sh!t" lifeline for that moment when you find yourself at the mercy of a 1,000 ball of fury. And as for the comments on ‘timid’ riders… many timid riders become some of the best horse people in the world, as their timidity usually accompanies a wonderful sensitifity to what is going on with their horses, which makes them wonderful, tactful riders.
[QUOTE=flshgordon;3508534]
By the way, another top 5 reason to have one on your saddle—that’s how I usually carry mine if my hands are really full! :winkgrin:[/QUOTE]
Oh! Do ask your saddler about that very clever idea. :sigh:
I also use the grab strap for lifting the saddle and carrying it into the tack room if my hands are full. Plus it helps when you are saddling or un-saddling young horses - I find it easier to hold the saddle over the horse to place it on.
