problem with carrying hands too low, any tips?

[gothdolly]

for some odd reason I have started to carry my hands too low when riding ... Mum has said this a few times and then i watched a DVD of me riding today and realised shes right. I have no idea why im doing this, and tonight out hacking I was trying to make a concious effort to carry my hands higher.

Is there any amazing tip that anyone can give me to help me maintain proper hand position? I dont know why this problem has developed, although I have not been able to afford lessons since I had my son so mayb its just slipping into bad habits and hacking out lazily. Is the old thing about imagining you are carrying a tea tray still considered correct? I have been studying photos of dressage riders in H&H trying to copy their position!!

Thanks

 

[WhiteHorseWendy]

I teach the kids to imagine carrying cups of coffee, don't spill any or you'll burn your pony!

 

[gothdolly]

Thats funny! I will think about that tomorrow morning

 

[Louby]

Yes my instructor once gave me 2 plastic wine glasses full of water to carry whilst riding. It was hard

 

[WhiteHorseWendy]

lol, we did that once with the ponies during gymkhana games... it didn't end too well! Apparently, sloshing welshies and giggling kids = not a great mix.

 

[Louby]

My normally lazy but spooky horse suddenly lost his laziness

 

[gothdolly]

I actually think I will try to carry plastic wine glasses of water! This low hand thing is really annoying me so I dont mind looking pretty stupid for a while if it cures me of this fault!

 

[0ldmare]

Why carry water, take a couple of glasses of wine and then you can have a tipple on the way!

 

[pinkcatkin]

Imagine you are carrying a tray with glasses on!

 

[happy_talk]

or try tying a piece of elastic from d ring to d ring (get someone to do it as you hold hand in the right place). then ride with little finger hooked under the elastic and aim to keep the elastic stretched.

 

[damsel]

I always find that if you concerntrate on keeping your elbows bent and tucked above your hip and also get a short whip and lay it across the top of your hands and hold onto it with your thumbs. It will help as it is one habit i used to have until my riding instructor told me to do thatx