Hand Position-advise please!

[sparky78]

Having just got back into the saddle after many a year as a non rider and having lessons I wondered if any of you could help me with my hand position. My instructor the other day told me to have the hands up and either side of the wither and when turning, say on a circle (with left hand being inside rein), my inside hand should open and my inside leg be the turning point (as in bend around my leg). Now in the past I was taught to move my inside hand onto the neck to stop them falling in but now I am very confused!!
So my question is, is that right to have inside hand opening in when turning? And where does the outside hand go? Open or on the neck?
Hope that makes sense!! Any advice gratefully received!

 

[Partoow]

The hand is the continuation of the rein, i frequently say that the only reason we have reins is because our arms are'nt long enough!!! SO think about keeping the thumbs on top imagine your fingers are holding the bit rings and that the connection with the rein is generated from the elbow.Now think that the elbows have lead in them and your hands are holding helium ballons, so they float. think about the hand being still relative to the horse , i get this by holding a short stick between my two hands, held between my thumb and first finger.This stick needs to stay level and still so that you move around the hand and then this communication with the mouth is quiet and constant.So now you have a quiet consistant connection that you can use it to dirrect your horse.
when you turn you dont want your stick to become unlevel i.e the inside should not be lower than the outer side of the stick. Also by using the stick you keep your hands the same distance apart so when you turn you turn by imagining that you suck back in the elbow in the dirrection of turn, by doing this you give what you take and the inside rein naturally opens and the outside comes against the neck closing the door on the outside shoulder. By keeping the space between the hands the same there is always a way through for the energy that is generated in the hindleg into the hand. you then need to make sure that your leg is ready at the girth to support the horse at the girth and that way you should start to get better more balanced turns. For a stick i use an old showing cane as they are the same thickness and are about the right length.
So for me an open inside rein is one that gives a space between the rein and the neck and the closed rein is the rein against the neck. By opening the inside rein and supporting with the leg this engages the inside leg and it is this that keeps him from falling in.
Hope this makes sense. L x

 

[Taboo1968]

Very well explained Partoow! I also ride with a stick sometimes just to make sure things are in the right place!

 

[Jo C]

That's an excellent explanation Partoow, now where are you when I need you in my lessons?

!

 

[sparky78]

Thank you!

I have been sat at my desk reading your advice with a stick in my hand-my bf walked in and thought I had lost the plot!!

Thanks I can visualise it now!

 

[Partoow]

Always happy to help! i realy enjoy verbalising all the techniques i use daily. if there is anything else i maybe could answer or you want to ask , please do.
Best of luck.