Para / RDA/ Disabled riding+driving training aids and equipment

[juniberry]

Is it just my poor searching or does no one in the UK or internationally pull together all the para/RDA/diasbled riding and driving equipment. On one recent discussion someone is trying to find ladder reins, I was looking for looped reins, I now want to find the split double bridle reins and on another post a tall light weight moveable mounting block is wanted. In my searches their are lots of stirrup aids (straps to toes stoppers) I have found a dual ended total balenced whip which seams a good idea if you can't swap whip in a normal fashion from hand to hand. Even Albion who make the bar rein do not actually know how it works. Just mulling the idea over but does anyone on this site think a trial/libary service like the bit banks for RDA/Para training equipment and aids would be an good idea. So you try and then buy if it works or try something else if not.
I currently run a small local tack shop and I am no great business mind or the next Dragons Den attendee but I would be very gratefull of any thoughts on this idea.
Early ideas based on what I have found scattered about the International market and what people have asked for would be presision reins, Bicycle reins, adjustable padded saddle clothes to compensate for uneven weight of rider, Innova saddles or other large knee rolls dressage saddles, made to measure jackets with extra large arms or body for braces or other adaptations such as one short arm but at off the peg prices, clip bridles, easy grip grooming equipment, equilibrium leg straps, fold up portable ramps, endurance toe stoppers, doubled reins stiched together in loops, easy to put on thin white gloves, the bar reins, dressage balence straps, velcro jodphurs, flexi reins, dressage tests on tape/cd, letter markers which tell you they are there, easy do up no buckle grith, para grade tests laminated with pictures or able to watch on a computer generated model, may be the mounting block idea. I have an excellent local saddler who already makes equipment as one offs but I think there may be some demand for more than one.
It could be the demand is so low no one thinks this is a good idea. But I could also see some of the equipment being marketed to the riding schools for learner riders. I could be barking mad and as I am so new to this I would love your thoughts and replies good or bad. I just can't get over the total lack of information about the equipment available.
But before you think I am trying to just cash in on other peoples needs I have also thought about a standard % like 10% of all profits being donated to RDA. So let me know what you think and also what you would like to see on a website shop if I take this forward more.

 

[Arianrhod]

Hi.
I think that is a great idea!!! What i really struggle with finding is short, wide, half chaps... Im only short but I wear AFO's which make my legs extra wide and do you think i can find a pair of chaps to accommodate this?? can i heckers!!! x

 

[i must be mad]

It sounds a fab idea. I have given up with my afo for riding as cant sort chaps to fit with it so have ended up with a pair of very rigid tall boots which are working ok at the moment.I am still trying to work out how to keep the same troublesome foot in the stirrup in canter which is really difficult as it is also my longer leg.Any adaptation ideas would be appreciated.

 

[juniberry]

Only a quick suggestion and may not be strong enough

Have you tried the endurance toe stoppers sold in the usual online and mailorder catalogs or I have been using moutain horse boots with the treads which slot in to the boot tred. Definatly reducing the foot slipping problems. Final idea is the equilibrium satble leg straps but you may find your stirrup stays put while your foot flys out of it . mUst speak to my jacket lady to see if she can come up with made to measure chaps to fit over supports. If I was looking at new things it sounds like you need a heel cup as well as a toes stopper on a safety stirrup incase of a fall so your foot can't get stuck

 

[thaxted]

I have found a dual ended total balenced whip which seams a good idea if you can't swap whip in a normal fashion from hand to hand. Even Albion who make the bar rein do not actually know how it works.

Hi

Can you tell me more about these please - sound like good ideas - and yes - you have a great idea aobut bringing things together.Thanks

 

[alwaysfallingof]

Yes...love the idea. Trawling the internet for the equipment I needed used to be a real pain.

A general list of things that were essentials but difficult to find at the RDA yard I used to work at (I've tried not to duplicate too many of yours)

-Peg reins (have wooden pegs secured through the leather at regular lengths to help riders with poor grip.
-2 sorts of loop reins - one with lots of little loops made by looping one longer piece of leather on top of the normal rein, the other with fewer, larger loops (usually with a buckle so that you can adjust the length)
-Velcro reins - a large padded area around one part of the rein at about riding length with one half of the velcro stitched around it. The rider wears gloves with strips of the other half of the velcro on it. Once the rider is mounted they open their hands and velcro them to the reins.
-Symmetry straps
-Seat savers and gel pads (although there are a lot of these around, the fur on most seat savers is too thin to be any use to riders with a loss of sensation.
-Conventional 'sheepskins'
-White reins (for partially sighted riders)
-Reins with one red and one blue (or any other different colours, for riders who have difficulty in telling left and right)
-Ordinary coloured reins
-Neckstraps (you can get various sorts, with one or two handles that can also be thick or thin)

If I think of any more I'll add them

 

[*Sez*]

Great idea!
I'm actually on the look out for some decent thumb splints that I can use for riding. My OT gave me a pair, but obviously I can't pester the NHS for a second pair and I need to keep them clean for work. I'd preferably like a black pair, so that I can wear them over my black gloves without people staring or asking if I've had an accident. (The worse ones is when I go anywhere in jodhs and people ask if I fell off my horse because I'm using a walking stick or my wheelchair - it still catches me off guard and makes me embarrassed)
I also need some new rope reins, but the problem I'm having is that I need them to be even (so not plaited rope) and pretty thick but also soft to help with my grip.
Also on my shopping list is a knee brace, but I'm having real problems and could do with an OT who specialises in horse riding to help me fit one. My NHS OT doesn't really have anything to do with horses, so couldn't advise me on the best one to help with riding, and since riding isn't "essential" I can't have one on the NHS, so I don't want to spend a fortune on a brace that is going to either damage my saddle or do my leg more damage.

 

[juniberry]

balened whip

I have found a dual ended total balenced whip which seams a good idea if you can't swap whip in a normal fashion from hand to hand. Even Albion who make the bar rein do not actually know how it works.

Hi

Can you tell me more about these please - sound like good ideas - and yes - you have a great idea aobut bringing things together.Thanks

well it took me a while to remember where the whip was but here is the web address not seen one for real so if you get one let me know if it is any good www.cargotrapp.com they also do an easy one hand adjustable grith attatchment for both english and western styles. The bar rein is a roled hard stick of leather about 8" long with normal reins going either side to the horses bit. It can be ordered from Albion direct. I did not like riding with it and I would prefer an S type shape so when riding with one hand your hand has the thumb on top instead of lieing the oppersite way to normal style of riding.

 

[moonbeam]

once again the needs are endless were do you get a saddle that will take unbalanced rider and jodpurs for the amputee and boots that will get on to fused ankles its a nightmare really and then the price seems to double x

 

[juniberry]

any boots can have a full length zip added by a good cobbler for £30-50 or how about short boots with a zip at the back mountain horse sterling have this and then gaiters or chaps over the top. This should help with a fused ankle or fixed (sorry about the spelling here) prosetic leg. The obvious for unbalenced rider is side saddle. But with practice and balence training balence will come back but it is time. I have been told to try Tia Chi and happen to work with an instructor and he says anyone can do it. In fact Age Concern do seated Tia Chi to reduce falls. There are lots of adjustable saddles which could be balenced to compensate for weak or missing bits. I love bates Cair or wintec with prolit pads which slot in to a numnah to suit. Others on here have takled about greater adjustable saddles and I am sure there is someone who has designed an addition to a normal saddle to act as balence aid.
Everyone is diffrent it is really a case of try and see (and in my case falling off a few to many times a real shock after not leaving the saddle with out my own free will for years before this)

 

[limogirl]

Hi Juniberry
The 2 main adapted tack suppliers are freedom rider and custom tack in the US. I have been looking for ages as not all RDA schools have a range of tack for people to try, I wanted some reins to help with contact, I ended up surfing the net and found custom tack. For reference the RDA use these 2 suppliers. It's mainly down to lack of demand and shipping costs, there is stuff out there, but unless a tack shop bulk buys then they are liable to full shipping costs and could end up with stuff stuck on the shelves. if you want to have a look at some visit my website as I got fed up with lack of info so started adding stuff I found then did a hints and tips page and links to various suppliers, yes a lot of it is about me, as nobody else has bothered inputting, can't build a database without info from folks

 

[juniberry]

Looped reins from Gateway

I have bought some of these adjustable reins from Gateway Equestrian. I had to import from USA but they are great. So easy to hold. The only thing I would like to make them better is the rubber or continental style on the "normal" part of the rein. I just loop a finger in the loop and off I go much better than normal reins. I love them!!!!!

 

[FNDnhorses]

It sounds a fab idea. I have given up with my afo for riding as cant sort chaps to fit with it so have ended up with a pair of very rigid tall boots which are working ok at the moment.I am still trying to work out how to keep the same troublesome foot in the stirrup in canter which is really difficult as it is also my longer leg.Any adaptation ideas would be appreciated.

Same with the troublesome foot. It will not stay I’ve seen one para rider using elastic strapping to keep her feet in place but she’s in Australia and paralysed so like properly strapped in. I just need my boggin feet to stay put and not have cages on my stirrups

 

[Khaliquesons]

Para, RDA, and disabled riding and driving training aids and equipment are specially designed to help riders who need extra support, balance, and comfort during their riding journey. These tools make riding easier, safer, and more enjoyable for people with different abilities. From adaptive reins to secure saddles and gentle guidance systems, each product helps riders feel confident and connected to their horse.


Many horse bridle manufacturers also develop adaptive bridles and accessories to support Para and RDA riders, ensuring soft control, easy handling, and a comfortable fit for the horse. Brands like Khalique sons internationl focus on creating equipment that promotes safety, independence, and smooth communication between horse and rider. With the right Para / RDA / Disabled riding + driving training aids and equipment, every rider can experience the freedom and happiness that horse riding brings.