How can I improve my hands?

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nedzy

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27 December 2005
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My hands are awful when I'm riding in that rather than being able to 'play' on the rein with my fingers, to encourage contact, my whole hand waggles and I can't stop it. I know bad hands are often a consequence of bad balance etc, but I think my hands just have a mind of their own. How do I get my fingers to become independent?!
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Any suggestions please?
 
try 'Reinbows' they are amazing, little handles that clip onto the reins ( only work with rubber and plaited reins tho) , really helped me improve my contact ..little pricey but well worth it. I use mine to jump in now. Hope that helps, would post the link i got mine from but done know how sorry ! Just type into google x
 
well my problem was i was too light and airy fairy with my hands and could never maintain a contact as the reins would just slip through my fingers and i would drop my horse when he would give . These help teach you how a contact should feel and maintain even rein lenth..obviously its not a quick fix and lunge lessons will def help you get a stronger seat , but these might help ..good luck
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i got mine from online ..i think it was called meadow brooke stables in cambridge ..i ordered online ands payed via paypal..will have a look for you as not 100% if that was the name x
 
My instructor always says to let the flexion come from the elbow. That way you've got elasticity all the way down and are not setting your arms and then having to do all the give / take with your hands.
Also, I remember doing an exercise way back when in South Africa - it was during a lesson with a Springbok showjumper and he had us cross the reins over the neck so the right hand controlled the left side and vice versa. Talk about evening up your rein lengths and pressure in an instant! Nothing more disconcerting than taking your usual pull on your 'good' rein only to have your horse drift off in the other direction!
 
My instructor has me doing that exercise - takes me about half an hour to be able to stop 'steering' but yes it is useful.
 
perhaps.. but i found the elastic reins to eliminate tension in my arms rather than improve my hand contact - i still slipped my hands down the reins when the horse stretched rather than just giving a little and i would drop him.. where the reinbows wont let you drop and keep ypur hands closed but you can give .. I found just keeping an even contact helped my horse round up and just ride forward rather than tweeking all the time on the reins ( i know this is an easy habit to fall into) i think its self preference really but for me i love my reinbows
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i agree with the above, doesnt cost anything either! Cross ur reins so that you're holding the left in the right and vice versa, it feels awful at first but my goodness you'll keep your hands still! Worked a treat for me when i started to get too waggly
 
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