Has anyone used the Rein-Aid...how was it?

Question

I have looked at a few reviews on this product, but there weren't reall enough to convince me to buy them yet. So, has anyone used it, did it work well?

I think it will work wonders on my horse. He loves a soft contact, but I have never really felt how collected he should be, only seen it.

Thanks for any help xD

Answer 1

I hate any kind of elastic reins, I can see where a heavy handed rider would welcome them but when working a horse that tosses his head or pulls or chomps elastic parts just let him get away with more. The ONLY elastic type thing I will ever use is a bungee, because the horse controls the pressure not me. If he wants to jerk his head up and have his bit, poll and noseband yanked on thats his problem. I like plain old leather reins though.

If you want to feel his collection try riding one handed on a loose rein. Take your other hand and grab the reins like an ice cream cone, with the side of your hand on his neck and the other hand still holding the end of the reins, and slowly run the reins tighter through your hand. If your horse is responsive he will break at the poll, round out and pick his front end up. once he does this release. Try it in all the gaits and slowly ask for him to stay collected longer and reward him with a release of pressure.  

Answer 2

I've never used it personally, but I've seen it. I don't have the problem with worrying about contact, and I'm one of those people who has the desire to maintain a perfect amount of lightness and contact that is controlled by me (I'm a dressage compulsive freak XP) but I'd reccomend it to people who are starting out, to be honest. Or, if your horse likes light contact but you don't soften immediately when he gives to you or offers his jaw, I'd say try this product.

The worse thing that happens (which actually would kinda suck, but oh well) is that you buy it and it just doesn't work for this horse + you. But that doesn't mean it won't work on another horse or that you can't give it as a present and pretend you thought of a friend. lol. Good luck.