This article was originally written in Danish by Mille Christophersen.
Would you like to stop your hands from misbehaving when you ride? We've gathered a series that highlights the most common mistakes we riders make with our hands. The aim is to help your hands work with the horse, rather than against it. The other articles cover topics such as avoiding pulling back on the reins, correcting hand angles, and getting rid of restless hands.
The first article from this series: The rider's hands: Get the right angle on your wrist
A steady hand with an elastic connection is the best way to encourage the horse to work softly in your hands and seek forward and down towards the bit. Unfortunately, it can be a real challenge to get your hands to work independently from the rest of your body. It can take years of practice, and even top riders, whether in dressage or show jumping, continually work on improving their contact with the horse.
Do you frequently pick up your reins because they keep slipping out of your hands? This can be a clear sign that your fingers are not properly closed around the reins. It's especially common for riders whose horses tend to be a bit lazy. In these cases, riders tend to loosen the reins a bit to encourage the horse to move more forward. Riders who are afraid of holding too tightly often also ride with reins that are too loose, resulting in a loss of contact with the horse's mouth.
This variation in rein length—when you lose the reins and then gather them again—can be both good and bad. It prevents the horse from having a clear frame to work within. So, even though you might think you’re being kind to your horse, it can actually confuse them more than help.
Try placing a piece of colored tape on the part of the reins where you ideally want to hold. The tape should sit just below your pinky finger. This will give you a visual reminder of when to stop letting the reins slip through your hands. If that doesn't work, you can alternatively place a piece of tape where your thumb should be. This will give you a tactile reminder when your hands reach the tape.
Remember, you don't need to grip the reins with excessive tension to maintain a firm hold. Simply think about applying a bit more pressure with one finger to prevent the reins from slipping, while keeping the rest of your hand relaxed. It's often the thumb or ring finger that works best for this.
Of course, our advice is only meant to help you develop the right feeling when riding. It’s up to you and your horse to figure out what works best. However, it’s worth mentioning that the more you practice your hand position, the better it will become, and the easier your riding will feel.
If you struggle with other hand position issues, stay tuned for more tips soon. This is just the second of four articles, all focused on using your hands correctly. We do recommend focusing on one thing at a time, so you don't overwhelm yourself with too many focal points at once. If you’re dealing with reins slipping out of your hands, why not start with the tips we've shared here?
Source: FEI.
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