[Horsebrat20]

I'm so confused on to where to place my hands so my mare goes onto the bit. I see poeple riding with their horses have a nice frame and they hold their hands right above the withers, spread apart. Then i see others who have their hands up high and together. Where should you hold them? I ride huntseat, and am trying to get my mare to come onto the bit. She does it nicley i think, when i put my hands on my knees like Bayblndjumpr suggested to engage their hind ends. Can someone clarify this for me? Thanks.

[littlecelticpony]

...put your hands on your knees? i dont get it, like ride with your hands on your knees???

[belle4]

Horsebrat,

I think what BBJ is suggesting is to check the horse with your hands by your knees and then bring them back to normal. Noone would constantly ride with their hands on their knees. For normal HS eq, your hands should be on either side of the withers, thumbs up. When your straighten your pinky fingers you should be able to touch or nearly touch the withers. From elbow to hand to rein to bit should be a straight line.

[Horsebrat20]

Ok i'll see if i make a straight line. THanks.

[bay_blnd jmpr07]

WOW!!! someone remembered my advice!!! LOL

only constantly ride w/ ur hands on ur knees for a lil bit untill she learns to keep her head down for longer. then after a few sessions u can put ur hands on ur knees to check ur her, and then put them back to a few inches above the wither. ride w/o worrying about her head for 30 minutes and then for another 30 minutes work on her head and end ona good note.

what also helps is to sponge the reins at ur knees and when u put them back kepp sponging once in awhile.

running_ Tiny running_

[Horsebrat20]

Well the new trainer i went to wanted my hands touching together. He is a respected jumping trainer. But then my old instructor naver told me to have them touching but she always wanted them up, and when i see jumpers and dressage riders they always seem to have thier hands on the sides of the withers and down a bit. I jsut get so confused, could anyone post a pick of someones with the right hand position? And then a wrong hand position? Thanks.

[Pony Magic]

Your hands should remain constant, approx 2/4 inches above the withers and 2 inches apart. Do not drop your hands, to get your horse on the bit, it's the sign of a bad rider. The key to getting your horse to drop is 'impulsion'. Lots of leg and drive your horse into your hand, but in the same token your hand is 'giving' not a barrier. Entice your horse move forward and up on to the bit. Anything other than that is a 'gimmick'.

Get back to basics - Straight line from the top of your head, shoulder, hip and heel. (If you drop your hands the rest of your body will tip forward). The second straight line goes from your hand, through the rein, to the horses bit.

[bay_blnd jmpr07]

Pony Magic-- different horses need different ways of learning. just because i ride w/ my hands on my knees for 2 seconds for every gait(either when i'v gone from walk to trot, or canter to trot) doesnt mean i'm a bad rider. i have been taught by a hunter/jumper instructor and a certified 2nd level instructor at my barn and they have both had me put my hands on my knees. thats where i got this training tip. and its worked for all of the horses at the barn. as long as u kno where ur hands should be after u've gotten the horse on the bit its fine. i still put my hands on my knees because Fiona's still learning. and w/ only 6 months of re-training and 2 years on pasture she's done a **** good job.

once u get the horse on the bit then u start pushing him farther onto it. and once the horse is on the bit u can sponge the reins to keep the horse's attention and to keep the horse on the bit as well.

running_ Tiny running_

[littlecelticpony]

rawr nothing's more annoying than people concerned with their horse's "head"...it's not about their head being down! RAWR AGAIN!

[Horsebrat20]

Thats not my whole concern Celtic, i am concerened that i might be restricting her from holding her head comfortably. Or when she needs to come onto the bit i need to know if i'm suppoting her correctly with my hands.