rollers

[fleabitten]

What are rollers used for? I know they used to be used for fastening rugs in place (maybe still are) and for lungeing and vaulting but can anyone tell me a bit more about them and how to put one on?

Just interested to know as I came across it in my pony club stuff and wondered about it.

[scattymare]

You get different types of roller - the bog standard (no rings, just a surcingle, often with a padded top, traditionally juts material but available in all sorts) which are used for fastening rugs in place - like an elastic surcingle.
You also get training rolloers which are similar but they have D rings so you can fasten side reins, pass through lunge lines etc - basically for lunging/long reining. A lot of those are just the top half which then fasten on either side to your girth.
I haven't seen an old fashioned one (rug fastener) for ages though I'm sure some people still use them.
I am for some reason also thinking you can get 'anti-cast' rollers which have loops/handle type things on the top which are to prevent a horse getting cast in the stable. Is that right or have I just made that up???!!

[haffyfan]

No scatty your right about the anti cast rollers.

Personally I don't like them as they create pressure points so would only use a training one for long reining/lunging and with a good pad under it. I would never use one to secure a rug now...must admit have used jute ones with built in padding years ago when i was a kid but I was always taught that elasticated ones were EVIL ....unless holding your saddle in place across country (the only time I would (and have) use/d one and the only time elastic ones have a place IMO)

[fleabitten]

I think the vaulting ones are like the anti cast ones maybe?

So they're different from elastic surcingles? Or are surcingles basically the same thing or are they used for different purposes....?