I doubt that they are, I always remove mine – so I know it is not really on topic. I just had to give a shout out as I think they are so much better than a grab strap outside of the show ring because of the mobility they allow.
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I doubt that most people have the presence of mind, or sufficiently quick reaction time to grab a strap when a horse decides to seriously spook.
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When I’m in the warm up, and another horse has a fit, or someone starts whacking their horse with a whip (my mare is terrified of that sound), or someone falls off (LOOSE HORSE), I slip a finger under the SOS strap. BEFORE crap hits the fan. With a quick spook, no, you don’t have a chance, all you can hope for is a good seat. But when the horse gives you some warning - you feel the back tighten up - it is nice to have that insurance. Just like a helmet - it won’t help you in every fall, but it is good insurance for those head hits!
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Yup. My horse spooked, spun, tried to run, got his front feet tangled up and skidded across the arena on his knees a few weeks ago. Usually I never have the reflexes to grab the strap in a spook but this time I had just enough warning from the ear flick and the back tensing, and I’m sure that’s what saved me from a nasty fall. Better safe than sorry!
As far as using it to sit the trot I never have in a test but I certainly might now and don’t care if other people do. The idea that nobody should show unless they have perfected a skill is silly. How many of here compete while still learning?
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Thanks They really look interesting!!
I have had grap straps on all of my saddles all my life. Really mainly to get on to my horses… I admit I am small and my horses are tall so it helps to get up…
I would really not recommend to hold on them when a horse is spooking and taking off… My Dad (Tall guy) did this many years ago and unfortunately the grap strap tore 
So he did fall off anyhow…
I’d prefer to see someone holding their grab strap in extended trot, than be balancing on the horses mouth in the water skiing position that’s seen so much .
I do think that riding an extended trot on most horses is easy if the horse is through but not everyone is quite ‘‘there’’ yet.
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That is the beauty of the RS-tor – you are always holding on.
Not just grab straps attached to the saddle either! I’m pretty sure it was William Fox-Pitt (maybe another… definitely a 4* rider) who said he always always rides with a neck strap, they’re not just for beginners in riding schools.
Well, it appears to be legal, so that’s good.
When I first got my young horse I was known to ride at home with a grab strap, neck strap and blow up vest - I had no shame.
My only issue with grab straps is I’m bad at using them. I have kind of short arms, so when I reach for it I tend to curl forward to grab it. I’m not very good at coordinating grab, then sit BACK fast enough during the storm, and one thing that typically saves me is shoulders back.
That said, a grab strap is a permanent fixture on my saddles because, as someone else mentioned, there are times when you can feel it coming and can proactively take hold of it - and, why not have it around if it might save you?
Unfortunately, my horse was an insta-spooker for awhile. Going along quietly, explodes out the blue, then it is over as soon as it stops and we are trucking along again as if nothing happened. No time to even remember the grab strap. I’ve become very good at sitting violent sideways leaps, although he’s mostly grown out of it now.
