Hand terminology confusion!

T

Toz

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Hi
I've found that I am struggling to get any horse that I ride to go on the bit, and there are two particular phrases that I can't seem to put into practise- when I am told to go 'soft through the hand' I just don't understand! Also, 'feeling down the reins' I can't get the grip of!
I was wondering if people have any synonyms for these instructions, and exercises I can do to practise!
I know I should talk to my instructor for some help, but I sometimes need someone to say something in a different way, that means the same thing, to help me understand.
Also if anyone has any tips for getting horses going on the bit that would be good!
Thanks :)
 
Ok have you got a stress ball the round ones are easiest.

Soft through the hand- squish the ball as tight as you can and then relax your hand slowly but don't let go. So its the pressure on and then relaxing that pressure but not letting go.

Feeling down the rein- equal pressure that you are sending down the rein and being able to notice that and adjust it. So that's like holding two stress balls and trying to keep them equal!

Hope that makes sense!
 
The best way to think of it is 'give and take'. Take quite a firm contact with hands about 10 inches apart. Play the rein gently with your little fingers sending vibrations down to the bit. When the horse softens then you soften the contact in reward. If you try to hold them firmly to create an outline you won't achieve 'softness'. Think of holding a bird in your hand, you don't want it to fly away but you don't want to squash it either.... Hope it kinda makes sense?
 
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