The perfect contact - how?

Just one other thing I remembered to help with opening the chest and not tipping forwards - one instructor told me instead of pushing your shoulders back simly close your armpits - not flap them down like a chicken but just close them gently so it rolls your shoulders back, opens your chest and in turn puts your upper arm down the side of your body and opens your hands - try it sat at your desk in the office (which I am doing now to try and describe it to you!) - you can feel it opening your chest and it's the tinyest of movements. I will also reiterate the carrying a whip over your thumbs (much cheaper than a lesson on a riding simulator) by turning your hands over it means your hands are a continuation of the reins (as someone said earlier you should imagine a straight line from bit to elbow not bit to hand). It also means you can't physically round your wrists and brace them which in turn means there is less chance of blocking with your hands and curling your shoulders up over a fixed hold. Not being critical - if it was that easy I'd be able to do it! My baby is currently fixed and working like an ironing board on one rein, I am struggling like crazy to understand what to do with my hands having never schooled a baby before, I need to develop legs of steel to achieve bend at the moment!! Good Luck. :D
 
I used to ride from the hand, and at times can still be 'handy' so I find a really good trick is to put a short whip between your hands, under your rein. Establish a good length of contact, ride from the leg, open your pelvis and keep your hands together moving to the contact. The stick will help you keep a consistent contact and you will move with the horse. Remember, the energy and directlion should come from your legs, and the hands are only a guide. I still do this if I get a bit 'locked' in the hand. Keep your hands in front of your hips and not too far apart. The stick should help withconsistency of contact....however 'the perfect contact.....' well I'm still working on that one!
 
loads of fabby advice here! *makes mental note to try and remember it all....*

i've just got three things to add... firstly, what a lovely little horse! well done with getting him so far already!

secondly, practice your position all day every day. shoulders back, back straight, tits out etc as you're sitting at work, walking to the post office etc. modern day living causes too many bad postures... when you're on board you want to be able to relax into the correct shape because you're used to it, instead of it being something you have to constantly think about (says me whilst i slouch over the computer....)

also, regarding the rushing in trot, try rising for two beats and sitting for two beats. making sure you land gently, and don't use your hands to keep you up! if you can manage it balanced, it's a great way to slow their trot down. :)

keep up the good work!
can't wait for progress reports! x
 
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