Carry your hands! my grumble...

[RachelBristol]

I recently went to a workshop where we held a bit in our hands the instructor had the reins and held her hands close together far apart and pinned down. It was amazing the difference you could feel on the bit. No skill can alter that feeling it was a big and unpleasant difference

I think that this is a very valuable lesson which is sooo simple to learn, understand & practice. It also serves as a good reminder to us old folk to pick up a bit and hold it every so often. This exercise helps keep poor rein and hands at bay for longer (until a good instructor shouts at you at least!).

softness is what I strive for in my horses

 

[mandwhy]

I see a remarkable number of hunchbacks riding with their hands in their belly or groin in dealers ads. Now I am not a very good rider really and have a tendency to go into foetal position, but I'd be mortified to see a picture like that and be striving to overcompensate the next time I rode, let alone allow it to go on the internet to actually try and SELL something!

 

[atlantis]

I've just got back into riding and I'm sharing a spooky young ex racer. I had a few photos taken yesterday and I was pretty shocked at the state of my hands.

To give myself a but if a break he has a very very quick spin and rear in him and I was def riding pretty defensively but I wasn't impressed with my pictures.

My hands weren't right down by his withers but I thought I was carrying them higher than they were. The pics look worse than the video though.

I can see how defensive riding can make you drop your hands. Wouldn't try to sell a horse with a photo like that though. Stupid and I hate to see it.

 

[webble]

I see a remarkable number of hunchbacks riding with their hands in their belly or groin in dealers ads. Now I am not a very good rider really and have a tendency to go into foetal position, but I'd be mortified to see a picture like that and be striving to overcompensate the next time I rode, let alone allow it to go on the internet to actually try and SELL something!

So glad you have said this I see loads and think it must just be me that thinks it looks odd. They are often on slightly too small for them coloured cobs and are also sat in the arm chair position

 

[Mince Pie]

I ride breakers/racehorses for a living and I often carry my hands 'low' in comparison, I think it stems from often riding in a single bridge and on unpredictable youngsters where you want your hands as close to the neck/monkey strap as possible for those odd 'moments'! I don't ever force an outline, you can still use soft hands when they rest just above the wither, it's just not quite as correct in style so to speak.

Yes, I agree. Most of my personal horses have been reschools or breakers and I've broken a couple professionally as well - I have a very good 'defence' position as a result!

 

[Pearlsasinger]

I see a remarkable number of hunchbacks riding with their hands in their belly or groin in dealers ads. Now I am not a very good rider really and have a tendency to go into foetal position, but I'd be mortified to see a picture like that and be striving to overcompensate the next time I rode, let alone allow it to go on the internet to actually try and SELL something!

So do I!
But private sellers can also post some dreadful ridden photos. And there are some pretty poor positions in photos posted on HHO as well.
I'm another who was also taught the 'coffee cups' rule. Sis & I remind each other in schooling sessions but it is one of the things I always make sure of in position checks on hacks as well. I had some lessons on a mechanical horse and the RI had a tray with 2 champagne glasses for me to hold - not easy!

 

[SaharaS]

So do I!
But private sellers can also post some dreadful ridden photos. And there are some pretty poor positions in photos posted on HHO as well.
I'm another who was also taught the 'coffee cups' rule. Sis & I remind each other in schooling sessions but it is one of the things I always make sure of in position checks on hacks as well. I had some lessons on a mechanical horse and the RI had a tray with 2 champagne glasses for me to hold - not easy!

Simple..drink the champagne, then it takes care of soft hands,soft elbows...and also a softer landing should a more defensive riding style be required!

 

[StormyGale]

Quote de LittleBlackMule
It could be worse, round here it seems to be the fashion to hold the hands down alongside the thighs and saw from side to side. Not just in the school but out on hacks too so the poor horse never gets a break.

This . . I see it everywhere around where I live. Even saw a so-called professional doing it and she was schooling someone's horse they were so pleased as it 'looks so pretty with its head down' urrrgghh. Trouble is people that don't know except it as being correct. Poor horses it looks awful to me.