Rein back - again

[Jo C]

Thanks to the advice on here we can now go backwards in a fairly straight line BUT everytime I ask his head shoots up in the air and we end up looking like a giraffe. He comes into the halt beautifully soft and round, as soon as I ask for rein back the head goes up. I have stopped, got him round and asked again and the same thing happens - help please!

 

[Tempi]

are you making sure that your seat and hands are light? It sounds like you are asking with your hands and not with your legs. Your hands should be closed around the reins but not restricting or pulling him backwards in anyway. They should be squeezing (as normal) and your arms should be relaxed - they should just stop the forward movement, but not be tense in anyway, or pulling back on him.

 

[Jo C]

I 'think' my hands and seat are light however you could be right, I do have a tendancy to tighten in my arms. I think I need someone on the ground to watch and shout at me.

I will try again and keep telling myself to lighten the hands and see if that works. Thank you.

 

[DressageChick]

I agree with PG sounds like to much hand. They should learn to step back off the change in leg placement and lightening seat and closed (not pulling back hand). Good luck

 

[Jo C]

Thank you - I shall have to get tough with myself, failing that I'm sure my instructor will shout at me