bad habit - horrible hands when jumping *pics*

[atot]

I had the most wonderful lesson yesterday on a friend's eventer, and it completely highlighted my horrible jumping hands. Thank god he is so honest, otherwise I'm sure I would've come off!

TBH I've never had consistent lessons at all. With my first horse she was point and go, and you honestly had to do very little when it came to jumping. (slowing down wasn't an option

)

With this fellow, who is a super jumper, I just seem to interfere! I completely forget to give with my hands. We only jumped tiddly, but I really want to crack this so we can have some fun in the summer.

Here are a few stills from the lesson (vids don't want to load on photobucket)
My first attempt at an extended trot...what a star, he tried it even though I wasn't giving him all the right signals!

Pats for a clever hoss!

Now these ones ain't pretty! I was trying hard to keep up with him! Horrible hands!

Any advice on the hands reallly appreciated - Will be having more lessons on him, but really want to improve, as he is such a super horse and want to be able to ride him as best I can.

Thanks for any help.

 

[kerilli]

looks a lovely boy, lucky you. well, i always suggest crest release first, i know it's gone out of fashion a bit but i don't know why really (i'm sure someone here will tell me!) one good way is to take a plaiting band or hair scrunchie and do a knot of mane about 8" down neck, and touch it with both hands in midair. this will get you used to giving enough (more than enough, obv!) and then you can gradually release less with practice.
hope that helps!

 

[atot]

Ahhh thank you kerilli, that is such a simple but good idea! I will get a really bright one so I can't miss it mid air LOL! *pootles off to boots to get a 10 pack*

 

[Tnavas]

He's a lovely horse and your hand position on the flat is lovely - noe work on getting your jumping position in the saddle stronger, heels down, relax the knee! Once your balance is better there then it will become easier to get the hands free and moving.

Lots of work in jumping position - just folded in 3point in all phases of the jump will help. A neckstrap secured half way up the horses neck is a good reach for spot - I like the suggestion too of the plaiting band.

 

[atot]

Thanks Tnavas, yes I have absolutely fallen for him! Definately need to sort the legs out too. They are usually a bit more secure then that, but I guess I was trying to shove myself forwards and the legs went backwards! Deffo will work on that.

Yes I don't do near enough folding practice, still find it such hard work if I'm not actually going over a jump

More fittening work for moi is in order I think.

If the big scrunchie doesn't work will try the neck strap, thanks for the suggestion

 

[Jane_Lou]

A good exercise to try is to put 4-5 trot pole before a small cross pole and go into your jumping position over the poles, it strengthens your lower end and helps you to maintain your balance over the centre of gravity. It is actually harder than it sounds!

 

[atot]

[ QUOTE ]
A good exercise to try is to put 4-5 trot pole before a small cross pole and go into your jumping position over the poles, it strengthens your lower end and helps you to maintain your balance over the centre of gravity. It is actually harder than it sounds!

[/ QUOTE ]

Oooh sounds like hard work - just what I need - realised just how unfit I was yesterday

Thanks for the tip, will get pole dragging next lesson.

 

[Jane_Lou]

Just realised I said "lower end" meant lower leg! lol