Tips for carrying the hands!

[VioletStripe]

Hello all!

So, I've recently changed instructors which has improved both me and Cas a huge amount - Cas is now beginning to move up AND forwards as apposed to just.. up and a bit forwards, and he's really beginning to get the hang of stretching more across his topline, to work long and low, which is a vast improvement, as before we were still trying to encourage him to work down into the contact. Now we can work more pretty much just on the buckle of the rein, so yay! However, to try and encourage him to do this before, I had fallen into the habit of carrying my hands lower, which appeared to be a bit counter productive. Now, I've been told to really lift my hands, to allow him to sort his own head out. Tada! It works. But every now and then I do find my hands creeping down a bit, usually when I'm finding something a bit hard, or if we have a bit of a 'whoops!' moment. It's a huge improvement from what it was before, but every now and then the old habit will appear Anyway, if anyone has any tips, or exercises to really remind me hands UP! and not buried in my lap, that'd be a huge help Thanks very much for reading, and cake if you can offer any experience xx

 

[sallyg]

Think of having heavy elbows, this will maintain the bend in your arms and automatically mean that your hands will stay up.

 

[VioletStripe]

Think of having heavy elbows, this will maintain the bend in your arms and automatically mean that your hands will stay up.

Never looked at it like that! Thank you I unfortunately seem to like having straight arms, but will think heavy thoughts from now on! Luckily I'm schooling tomorrow so will have a go - and a friend has promised to shout 'ELBOWS!' the moment they go straight xx

 

[BBP]

Close the back of your armpits. I had a big long thread in cr about the same thing. Fixed a multitude of sins for a lot of people it seems!

 

[VioletStripe]

Close the back of your armpits. I had a big long thread in cr about the same thing. Fixed a multitude of sins for a lot of people it seems!

I just sat at my computer for a good minute or so giving that ago haha Thank you, will be giving it a go tomorrow! I might baffle some people who happen watching xx

 

[Littlelegs]

Any position faults I find it also helps to get into the habit of doing a mental check as you pass each letter in the school.

 

[Bettyboo222]

I was made to carry a bamboocane/schooling whip balanced across my elbows, if my hands dropped the cane/whip rolled

 

[georgiegirl]

I imagine Im carrying a pub try with four gin and tonics (or your drink of choice!) on it - wouldnt want to spill any of that!!

 

[VioletStripe]

Any position faults I find it also helps to get into the habit of doing a mental check as you pass each letter in the school.

My brain will be hurting by the end of the session really good habit though - will definitely try to start doing that. Usually I'm very good at feeling when my position's going wrong.. but with my hands it's just like they have a mind of their own and are determined to bury themselves in his mane xx

 

[YorksG]

I was told to imagine was carrying two coffee cups, if your arms go straight, you spill the coffee

 

[VioletStripe]

I was made to carry a bamboocane/schooling whip balanced across my elbows, if my hands dropped the cane/whip rolled

Oh good idea! The rolling whip would definitely give me an incentive - horse might spook at it! Thanks so much for all these ideas xx

 

[VioletStripe]

georgiegirl and YorksG - loving it Wouldn't want to actually put it into practice though - am sure the pony wouldn't enjoy having a drink dripping through his mane Can't wait to get schooling tomorrow now! xx

 

[Box_Of_Frogs]

Imagine bricks are tied to your elbows and helium balloons to your hands x

 

[VioletStripe]

Imagine bricks are tied to your elbows and helium balloons to your hands x

love it. Thank you so much for all your advice, am giving it a go today and hopefully there'll be an improvement might even ask my friend to bring a camera xx