Back hands

Caramac71

Caramac71

Well-Known Member
Joined
11 February 2013
Messages
678
Location
Kent
Visit site
Sorry title meant to read bad hands!

Im posting on behalf of my daughter who wants some help. She can't keep her hands still when trotting. She's aware of the problem, instructors have told her she needs to keep her hands still but no one can explain how or what she needs to do.

As she's rising in trot her hands are moving with her and causing her horses head to move. I think it's a habit she picked up on her previous pony. Her new horse is very young and she doesn't want to be creating a nodding horse so is keen to improve.


Not sure if the description makes sense but if anyone has any advice she'd be very grateful. She's having a lunge lesson on another horse this week so she can just work on her own riding so would be good for her to understand what's she's doing and how to improve. Thanks.
 
One thing that helped me keep my hand stiller was when a trainer said to me..

When you rise, think of pushing your hands down.

I don't know why, or how, but it worked!!

It's a matter of being disciplined, working hard and having someone on the ground who knows what she needs to do to help.
 
If she is being told to shorten her reins she may find her elbows straight. You need a decent bend in your elbows to stop your hands bouncing as the movement is absorbed there.
 
I had this problem a few years ago! Just keep telling her to keep her hands on the horse's neck just in front of the saddle and keep them there! That way she isn't pulling on the horses mouth or using them to pull herself up with! I used to do this so no criticism meant (: Just it's automatic, but maybe she needs to do some more trotwork and work on pushing herself up with her legs and keeping her hands on his neck... and everytime you see her put her hands up tell her to put them down. Sometimes we don't realise we're doing something until someone watching picks up on it
 
Let her try holding two mugs of water, preferably when on the lunge or with mum leading :) If she spills, she owes you 10p per spill :D. It sounds as if she needs to work on balance and core muscles, lots of trot without irons.
 
I have this problem too, and what helps me is to push my elbows into my hips. When you rise your hips push forwards and therefore push your hands down, if that makes sense. I still have to concentrate though, otherwise my elbows go forwards and the hands start moving again.
 
She could try a couple of spur straps one each buckeld to the front dee's on the saddle, looped through her lower fingers and long enough for her hands to be in the correct place. They may help stabilise her hands while softening her elbows and allowing them to carry the weight and taking the strain off of her shoulders. Works for me, I tend to let my right hand go and drop the contact.
 
There should be a bend in her elbows, and have the thumb on top when holding the reins. This gives the straight line to the bit. If the elbows are bent, it means that the hands can remain soft.
 
Thanks everyone, some great tips. My daughter has read through and is going to try on her lesson tomorrow. Sorry the thread wasn't about bribery, corruption and back handers, I hope it wasn't too disappointing!
 
MissJessica said:
Try a neck strap, hold onto the reins and then neck strap, like fists around the strap hands pushed into their side of the horses neck
Click to expand...

This isn't a good idea for a child as their arms won't be long enough and it will cause them to straighten their elbows and makes the problem worse. A grab strap between the d-rings would be better.
 
Caramac71 said:
Sorry title meant to read bad hands!

Im posting on behalf of my daughter who wants some help. She can't keep her hands still when trotting. She's aware of the problem, instructors have told her she needs to keep her hands still but no one can explain how or what she needs to do.

As she's rising in trot her hands are moving with her and causing her horses head to move. I think it's a habit she picked up on her previous pony. Her new horse is very young and she doesn't want to be creating a nodding horse so is keen to improve.


Not sure if the description makes sense but if anyone has any advice she'd be very grateful. She's having a lunge lesson on another horse this week so she can just work on her own riding so would be good for her to understand what's she's doing and how to improve. Thanks.
Click to expand...

Several things I used to keep riders hands still
2 of them were

One. I held the pony while rider held a plastic beaker in each hand with water

Two with palms upper most rider balance a whip on her wrists trying not to drop whip



I teach the rise first in halt then in walk and trot without reins as many children pull themselves up by reins. I don,t let them have reins till they can rise trot holding imaginary reins.
 
Last edited:
Lunging in trot with hands on the head, hips, aeroplane wings. Moving hands are a symptom of poor balance and that is a symptom of poor position.
 
HGA-12 said:
I teach the rise first in halt then in walk and trot without reins as many children pull themselves up by reins. I don,t let them have reins till they can rise trot holding imaginary reins.
Click to expand...

I do that too! and with adults ;) Quite fun as well :)

I would suggest that if her elbows are too straight she can pop a long whip through elbows behind back to really exaggerate the bend, will help get softer elbows (only need to do for 5/10 mins). It feels very strange but I find it helps when people have stiff arms. Also a short whip under the thumbs helps if one hand is moving more than the other, and if the hands are together but bouncing then balance short whip on the wrists.

A lunge lesson without reins will help with her core and rising strength and should help her hand stay still. Check that her shoulders are also in the right place as she rises and are not tilting with the rise as this will make the hands move more.

Good luck! :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top