Help with hands!

[luckles]

Does anyone have any exercises, visualization...anything that will help me with keeping my hands closed?? I am so frustrated! I know that a lot of problems will be eliminated if I could just keep my hands closed. My reins won't get too long and I will know when my boy starts to dive, I will feel more....

HELP!

[rabicon]

Just concentrate on your hands really hard. Don't think about anything else for a few rides and make it habit. Thats all I can really say. BTW where are you in GA.? Do you show? Thats where I'm at.

[Eclectic Horseman]

Does anyone have any exercises, visualization...anything that will help me with keeping my hands closed?? I am so frustrated! I know that a lot of problems will be eliminated if I could just keep my hands closed. My reins won't get too long and I will know when my boy starts to dive, I will feel more....

HELP!

First, put your thumbs on top and press the reins between your thumb and forefinger. That is the best way to keep a grip on the reins. You may want to try putting your rein around your entire fist and not put it between your ring and little fingers. While that feels more secure, those fingers are very weak and your hand is easily pulled open by the rein if it is between those fingers.

But in many cases, the problem with the hands is really a problem with your arms and shoulders. You cannot hold a horse with your fingers who takes a firm contact on the bit--- the reins will inevitably slip through a little at a time. You need to make sure that you have a bend in your elbow and that your elbows rest at your hip and close to the body. That way, you are not holding the reins with your fingers, you are holding them with your entire arm.

If your elbows are straight and your arms are locked, then it is very easy for the reins to get gradually eased through your fingers. If your elbows are bent and at your side, then the horse's contact with the bit is absorbed by your elbow bending up and down and your arm moving forward and back slightly. There is no weight on just the fingers, and it is much easier to keep the hand closed without having to have a death grip.

[Reiter]

Great post EH! :)

[lorilu]

[QUOTE=Eclectic Horseman;3696536]. You may want to try putting your rein around your entire fist and not put it between your ring and little fingers. QUOTE]

A good way to get really hurt if you fall off.
L

[Ambrey]

A good way to get really hurt if you fall off.
L

I think he meant just through the entire fist, not wrapping it- the reins go up through the bottom and out through the top, rather than in between pinky/ring finger and out through the top. Or maybe I misunderstood.

Along with what EH said, my trainer helped me a lot when he told me to concentrate on using the backs of my arms rather than the front (biceps). I am not sure whether it will help with the hand closure, but it helps me with the bracing thing EH was talking about.

[Alexie]

i have the same problem and i blame my horse for some of it, he sneakily starts to trundle around on his forhand with a nudge here and a nudge there and before i know it my hands are everywhere trying to counteract it

i have to make myself concentrate on what he is doing and on maitaining my hands as a pair and make myself not respond to his sneaky ways by altering my hand position, instead pushing him up to my hands with my leg

it's not blooming easy i can tell you
he's damn good at subtle none cooperation :D

[Ambrey]

i have the same problem and i blame my horse for some of it, he sneakily starts to trundle around on his forhand with a nudge here and a nudge there and before i know it my hands are everywhere trying to counteract it

Ooh, this is just like my guy! I always imagine him saying "well, your hands are there, and my head is heavy- YOU carry it!"

No miracle cure so far. I have to ride every stride- every time he tries to rest his head on the reins I have to tell him to pick it back up and carry it his own self! Concentrating on not using my biceps helps, because I can't carry his big ol' head without them.

[Dressage Art]

You can try riding with 2 whips or with 2 drinking straws in your hands, but only hold them with fingers that you tend to open.

+Start riding your corners correctly and asking for a true bend. You can not do that with open hands.

[Eclectic Horseman]

I think he meant just through the entire fist, not wrapping it- the reins go up through the bottom and out through the top, rather than in between pinky/ring finger and out through the top. Or maybe I misunderstood.

Along with what EH said, my trainer helped me a lot when he told me to concentrate on using the backs of my arms rather than the front (biceps). I am not sure whether it will help with the hand closure, but it helps me with the bracing thing EH was talking about.

Yes, that is what I meant. It is another legal way to hold the reins, the rein goes under the little finger through the palm and up between the thumb and forefinger.

A lot of other posters that are blaming their horses--believe me, they are all pretty much like that and will take as much rein as they can from you. If they get away with lengthening the rein, that is positive reinforcement, so they keep trying. If they cannot take the rein from you, then they will learn not to try, and they will stop doing it.

How can you stop them from taking the rein away from you? (1) keep a bend in your elbow so that they have to pull the whole arm forward before the tension even reaches your fingers; (2) keep a balanced, centered seat with an independent hand and a strong core; and (3) don't pull back on the reins when the horse pulls-HALF HALT and release.

[class]

How can you stop them from taking the rein away from you?


or do it the cheater's way like me and tie a knot in the rein where you want to hold it when you are doing the majority of your work.

[TXPiaffe]

Uggghhh!!! I have a gelding leased through this weekend that pulls on me constantly. I am constantly half-halting, and trying to keep him off my hands. It is to the point I almost dread riding him! I have one more show this weekend to get through! He does better if I warm up long and low, then walk/halt-walk/trot/halt etc combo's to get him lighter, then do some lateral work. Then we really go to work on perfecting the lateral work and getting him up where he belongs... if that makes sense... But anyway, I FEEL your pain!

[Kit]

Ugh this is me too. I bought those leather reins with the stop grips at intervals on the reins. That really helps me. Also helps me make sure that my reins are even as I find I will let each one out a little at different times. Get someone to watch you ride to make sure your elbows are bent and you are not pulling. That helps as you will concentrate more on keeping your hands closed, arms relaxed and everything as it should be.

[merrygoround]

I find it helps to make sure the rein stays behind the row of small bones closest to your palm, which can only be done if your wrists have a slight inward curvature. I like it coming up, between the pinky and ring finger, and then anchored by the thumb on top of the index finger. The hand can stay softly relaxed, NOT OPEN FINGERED, but capable of closing for emphasis. A whip held in that hand should be capable of moving or wiggling, it's cap being held in the circle of the index finger and thumb. That allows the whip to be used by a simple wrist rotation, not using your whole arm and hand.

The elbows need to be soft and mobile.

BTW. There is a great article by Hilda Gurney in this months DT.

[goeslikestink]

First, put your thumbs on top and press the reins between your thumb and forefinger. That is the best way to keep a grip on the reins. You may want to try putting your rein around your entire fist and not put it between your ring and little fingers. While that feels more secure, those fingers are very weak and your hand is easily pulled open by the rein if it is between those fingers.

But in many cases, the problem with the hands is really a problem with your arms and shoulders. You cannot hold a horse with your fingers who takes a firm contact on the bit--- the reins will inevitably slip through a little at a time. You need to make sure that you have a bend in your elbow and that your elbows rest at your hip and close to the body. That way, you are not holding the reins with your fingers, you are holding them with your entire arm.

If your elbows are straight and your arms are locked, then it is very easy for the reins to get gradually eased through your fingers. If your elbows are bent and at your side, then the horse's contact with the bit is absorbed by your elbow bending up and down and your arm moving forward and back slightly. There is no weight on just the fingers, and it is much easier to keep the hand closed without having to have a death grip.


and to add its not so much as your hands but your seat as your insecure
once one can sit into there horses then the hands wont be a problem,

but we begin with being balanced and thats starts with making sure your stirrup lenghts is correct as this effects your position and your hands

read this link as it all relevent http://www.chronicleforums.com/Forum/showthread.php?t=178116


then make sure that the reins you have arnt the worng lenght for the pony/horse your riding there nothing worse then having to much rein e long reins on a short necked horse
as they dangle and then that makes you fiddle with the reins which therefore effects the way of going for the horse

simple exercise for learning how to keep hands still is to have a crop and place it across your hands and on top of your thumbs masterer balancing it in wlak then in trot drop it and i will slap you haha

seat- working from an independant seat will help you gain balance and you do that by some simple ecercises in the begining of learning to ride ask your instructors to put you on the lunge- and work the horse with no stirrups this will make you sticky bum and help you keep your arse in the saddle once mastered in walk move up to sitting trot, then rising then canter-- once you can work from an independant seat you wont relay on your hands ffor supporting or balacning your body weight

another simple exercise - is to get a squeeze ball-- and open and close you hands
or a stress ball or even a sponge-- and pratice at home of opening and clsoing your hands

[luckles]

Thanks for the pointers, especially EH.

"It is another legal way to hold the reins, the rein goes under the little finger through the palm and up between the thumb and forefinger."

I have tried every way under the sun to hold the reins. When I hold them in the way above, I agree, it is harder to keep the hand closed. This is one of these very irritating/frustrating problems that is all ME! We are at PSG and I know we could be doing better if I could fix this once and for all.

1. Holding the reins in the "normal way" (snaffle between ring and pinky, curb between middle and ring) - basic opening, not keeping my thumb SECURELY on the snaffle. Trouble shortening snaffle without curb.

2. Snaffle under entire palm, curb between middle & ring - pinky is weaker and hard to keep closed, BUT easier to shorten snaffle without curb

3. Snaffle between ring and pinky, curb around middle finger only - easier to keep hands closed, easy to shorten one, BUT hurts the hell out of middle and ring finger.

4. Snaffle between ring and pinky, curb around bottom of palm - harder to keep hands closed (not as much as #2), easier to shorten one and not the other.

As you can see, I am obsessed with finding the right way for me to a) keep hands closed b) shorten snaffle and not curb and c) that is not painful.

I know that I just need to work on the muscle memory to keep my thumb securely on snaffle and the hand closed. Don't ya just want to smack yourself for not being able to get beyond the stupid, yet important, little things!!??

[Silver Snaffles]

I have the exact problem!
Caused by riding western pleasure / hunter under saddle with long reins.

Get reins with grips on them, they help, you can " hold" onto a notch.

[luckles]

My snaffle reins have the stops...it is great as a guide to correct length (3rd keeper is where I need to be)...as far as holding them...again, the problem is me. I am a dummy!!

[Kit]

My outside hand is bouncing at them moment lol a whip sitting on my thumbs wouldn't last long. Sigh I'd get a good few slaps!

[Ambrey]

Wow, someone who can ride PSG without being able to hold the reins must have a much different horse than I do ;)

Is it possible that the problem isn't as severe as you think it is? (as in, you're being a bit too hard on yourself)? Or is your horse just so pushbutton that you can manage it without much finesse?

Sorry, I'm just really having a hard time picturing it, lol!

[luckles]

He is a saint, no doubt. I would agree that the problem is something that just bugs the hell out of me...would it be considered severe by others...probably not. It is just something that I am bound and determined to fix...high frustration level.

Ok...Yesterday I concentrated on just my hands...worked pretty well...though I had pins & needles in them when I was done! I just have to stay after myself to get to the point of muscle memory. I was just hoping that someone had some magical tidbit of info that I was overlooking.

Thanks so much for all your posts...all ideas are very welcome!!

[FancyFree]

or do it the cheater's way like me and tie a knot in the rein where you want to hold it when you are doing the majority of your work.

I don't have a knot in my reins, but there are stops all along my reins. They're the Schumacher web reins. I set my hands at one specific stop. I think that type of rein helps a lot. Also I couldn't ride without my Neuman's tackified glove. They have a very good grip.

When I was a kid taking lessons, my trainer always told us to envision that we were holding small birds in our hands. You want to hold them tightly enough that they don't escape but not so tightly that you crush them. If that helps. I have a million of those little visuals. :lol:

[goeslikestink]

He is a saint, no doubt. I would agree that the problem is something that just bugs the hell out of me...would it be considered severe by others...probably not. It is just something that I am bound and determined to fix...high frustration level.

Ok...Yesterday I concentrated on just my hands...worked pretty well...though I had pins & needles in them when I was done! I just have to stay after myself to get to the point of muscle memory. I was just hoping that someone had some magical tidbit of info that I was overlooking.

Thanks so much for all your posts...all ideas are very welcome!!

pins and needles means you holding onto the reins to tight -- so hands can get mussle spasms

so dont you hands are to be like butter- soft and light and easy to slide up and down the reins
so a bit like grease- so the touch is light- pratice another thing as well as stress balls or playdough by opening n closing your hands, then find a mesureing tape at home
and with your thumb and index finger- move it up and down with the other hand
so your passing the tape from thumb and index finger to the other thumb and index finger
feel the tape slide through your hands-- then do the same with reins when you need to shorten them so not jingle jangling on the mouth

[Ambrey]

Ok...Yesterday I concentrated on just my hands...worked pretty well...though I had pins & needles in them when I was done! I just have to stay after myself to get to the point of muscle memory. I was just hoping that someone had some magical tidbit of info that I was overlooking.

With as much riding as I'm sure you've had to do to get to that level, if your hands are still so uncomfortable remaining closed on the reins I would wonder if there's a physical reason. Do you have carpal tunnel?

Pins and needles usually means pinched nerves if you and I are using the same definition of the sensation.

It would also explain why you're having trouble feeling the feedback your horse is giving you through the reins.

[smithywess]

Quote:...." its not so much as your hands but your seat "


Now there's a really appropriate sentence. If you have made your horse light in it's mouth then a 'primary'contact between thumb and index is all that's needed and with the ring and little fingers open then that is 'light' contact.If the ring and little fingers close half-way then the contact is 'moderate'.The contact only becomes 'firm' when all the fingers are closed into the palm. These are the contacts described by la Gueriniere four Centuries ago and they depend completely on an independent seat and a permanent,steady primary contact between thumb and index finger on a horse with a relaxed lower jaw.We should try to train so that we ride with the the 'light'contact as much as we can.In this way rubber or braided reins become unnecessary,and even disadvantageous, as does the necessity to 'wrap'the reins around the hand,which is not a good practise.

[goeslikestink]

Quote:...." its not so much as your hands but your seat "


Now there's a really appropriate sentence. If you have made your horse light in it's mouth then a 'primary'contact between thumb and index is all that's needed and with the ring and little fingers open then that is 'light' contact.If the ring and little fingers close half-way then the contact is 'moderate'.The contact only becomes 'firm' when all the fingers are closed into the palm. These are the contacts described by la Gueriniere four Centuries ago and they depend completely on an independent seat and a permanent,steady primary contact between thumb and index finger on a horse with a relaxed lower jaw.We should try to train so that we ride with the the 'light'contact as much as we can.In this way rubber or braided reins become unnecessary,and even disadvantageous, as does the necessity to 'wrap'the reins around the hand,which is not a good practise.

thanks you - exacty what meant only you explained my sentence better than i ever could