"Correct" hand position?

[chunklovescooks]

I have been riding close to 3 years now, and i am on my second wonderful horse! however, for 3 years i have been taught hand's down and up when light and forward. Now things have changed. the yard employs Chris McGran or something (some olympic dude) and he say's you should ride with raised hands all the time no matter on how your horse is going! tis all very confusing at the moment! also, any ideas on what size rug would fit a fairly well build cob 14.22hh? Bob needs a new rug lolz... Any suggestions are appreciated!

-Stephen-

 

[chunklovescooks]

Noone? ^^ Please! all help is appreciated!

 

[kerilli]

your hands should stay in the same place all the time, neither up nor down really, just hovering about 3-4" above withers, i've always been told.
rug size - you really need to measure, height is no indicator of length of horse, but at a guess, 5'6" ish would be a good place to start, and see if it's wrong!

 

[rara007]

You always want your hands in a straight line, or above a straight line from the bit, I have some pictures if you want. Never put your hands below the line with the bit as this will puch them onto the forehand.

No idea for the rug, we have 13.2's from 4 foot 9, to 5 foot 6. My old MW 14.1 was 5 foot6, so maybe 5'9, but i'd measure to be safe.

Haz

 

[chunklovescooks]

Thanks =D both questions in one ill ride how my hands feel right i reckon, at the end of the day, its my horse, they cant shout at me lol. Thanks for the help

-Stephen-

 

[chunklovescooks]

Thanks Rara! i'd appreciate pic's so i can get a better picture rather just being screamed at across the arena "HANDS UP" then on the next lesson "HANDS DOWN!"

Cheers for rug info also

-stephen-

 

[rara007]

Here are some pics:

Here the hands look visably high, almost as high as the persons belly button, but they are on the olymic squad, so obviously is good!

http://www.goodtymestables.com/images/FotoTyme-300.jpg

Simalar here

http://www.oldenburghorse.com/images-success/Albano.jpg

Infact, search any really good dressage people, and never are there hands by the horses withers.

IMO, my hands are about perfect here, but obviously anyone can correct me. This doesn't look high, but certainly to me it feels it!

 

[chunklovescooks]

Thanks! the pics help =D yeah, imo hands are far too fussed over! ill keep looking around at pics as you said =]

 

[the watcher]

Hands - ideally level with your waist or thereabouts (my silent mantra is always Carl Hester hands, Carl Hester hands)




Rugs- probably 6', but if really chunky you might need 6'3 - kind of depends on the cut.

 

[alfirules]

im having some issues with my hands at the moment, my instructors tell me to carry my hands higher and more forward, but as ive been so set in my ways its proving very difficult!! i think it feels odd but when i look in the mirrors it does look alot better!!

my pony is a 14.2hh welsh cob x and 6ft rugs fit him best.

 

[chunklovescooks]

Thanks again for the help and pic's guys =]

 

[Blizzard]

My 14.2hh welsh cob was a 6ft in rugs.

 

[Starbucks]

I'm a bit of a dressage Jnr - but don't ever have your hands low.

 

[chunklovescooks]

Thanks again! =] i will raise it with the instructor when im next around.. hopefully get some real sense out of her!