Light Hands - Barnmice Equestrian Social Community2024-03-19T04:45:16Zhttp://www.barnmice.com/forum/topics/light-hands?feed=yes&xn_auth=noI agree- it is awesome if the…tag:www.barnmice.com,2011-07-21:1773158:Comment:4618862011-07-21T06:08:07.686ZAnna Kotzèhttp://www.barnmice.com/profile/AnnaKotze
I agree- it is awesome if the lower back relaxes and everything become as light as a breath. It is also true that a light moment is a blessing and not a given. It is an experience, not a constant: what inspires us to achieve true lightness, not only in the hands, but in riding the horse: total trust and commitment towards each other.
I agree- it is awesome if the lower back relaxes and everything become as light as a breath. It is also true that a light moment is a blessing and not a given. It is an experience, not a constant: what inspires us to achieve true lightness, not only in the hands, but in riding the horse: total trust and commitment towards each other. This to me is a spot on defin…tag:www.barnmice.com,2011-07-21:1773158:Comment:4629152011-07-21T05:53:36.820ZAnna Kotzèhttp://www.barnmice.com/profile/AnnaKotze
<p>This to me is a spot on definition! Not always easy to apply esp. when everything is not in balance as it should be, but this is what we strive for....♥</p>
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<p>This to me is a spot on definition! Not always easy to apply esp. when everything is not in balance as it should be, but this is what we strive for....♥</p>
<p> </p> Very interesting observation…tag:www.barnmice.com,2010-08-18:1773158:Comment:2673532010-08-18T15:29:25.502ZJackie Cochranhttp://www.barnmice.com/profile/JackieCochran
Very interesting observation about the back. One more thing for me to check out when I encounter resistance!
Very interesting observation about the back. One more thing for me to check out when I encounter resistance! Really interesting to read ev…tag:www.barnmice.com,2010-08-18:1773158:Comment:2673512010-08-18T15:18:04.838ZChristina Vermigliohttp://www.barnmice.com/profile/ChristinaVermiglio
Really interesting to read everyones thoughts. My observations.. almost every rider ( not every but most) worries about being to heavy handed. I don't think I even always realize when I've become heavy handed but my description of a light hand would begin with a consistently relaxed lower back. I really agree that the lightness in my hand happens when the fluidness is in my seat. If my seat is following then the lightness, the independance can float through my rein no matter the length of rein,…
Really interesting to read everyones thoughts. My observations.. almost every rider ( not every but most) worries about being to heavy handed. I don't think I even always realize when I've become heavy handed but my description of a light hand would begin with a consistently relaxed lower back. I really agree that the lightness in my hand happens when the fluidness is in my seat. If my seat is following then the lightness, the independance can float through my rein no matter the length of rein, but the minute my lower back braces up, the wrong muscles get started or involved that's the minute I jump to my hands to save the moment. I actually think that's ok.. it's just the process of learning how to ride. Sunday the mare I rode, Cider…tag:www.barnmice.com,2010-08-18:1773158:Comment:2672392010-08-18T00:24:36.489ZJackie Cochranhttp://www.barnmice.com/profile/JackieCochran
Sunday the mare I rode, Cider, told me that my hands were just too bad to use the bit I'm riding her in (Wellep lever cheek snaffle), she got really resistant and hard mouthed. I can't blame her, with the great summer heat my MS symptoms get a LOT worse. Sigh. But she has spoken, either she'll share the basic Wellep bit with Mia or I'll have to decide which bitless system she'll like best (I have 5 different systems in her size. Its wonderful to have choices.)<br />
You are so right , Justice,…
Sunday the mare I rode, Cider, told me that my hands were just too bad to use the bit I'm riding her in (Wellep lever cheek snaffle), she got really resistant and hard mouthed. I can't blame her, with the great summer heat my MS symptoms get a LOT worse. Sigh. But she has spoken, either she'll share the basic Wellep bit with Mia or I'll have to decide which bitless system she'll like best (I have 5 different systems in her size. Its wonderful to have choices.)<br />
You are so right , Justice, contact with a bit is NOT ours to keep. Cider has told me that until my hands get better (cooler weather) that she is NOT going to give me contact and cooperation, or really obey me when you get down to the essence of what she is saying. Cider has spoken, all I can do is hear her and obey. I hope I please her.<br />
Mia gives me soft contact for around a quarter of the ring at a walk, then she asks for a loose rein. I am no longer allowed to keep contact at the trot (she inverts easily, a lot of Arabs do, and I've gotten some overflexion too. Bad me.) Thank goodness I started off training her on loose reins over a year ago, it really pays off in the summer! Independent seat is absolutel…tag:www.barnmice.com,2010-08-16:1773158:Comment:2667862010-08-16T20:05:39.343ZSusan Deakinhttp://www.barnmice.com/profile/SusanDeakin
Independent seat is absolutely right! To achieve the independent seat, one must have the correct body alignment first, then the core and inner thigh muscles must be very fit and toned in order to support the weight of the rider. When the muscles are strong, they don't have to work hard, therefore stay relaxed so the joints of the shoulders, elbows, wrists, hands and fingers are allowed to stay well oiled, relaxed and able to feel exactly what the horse is doing and feel what to do to help him…
Independent seat is absolutely right! To achieve the independent seat, one must have the correct body alignment first, then the core and inner thigh muscles must be very fit and toned in order to support the weight of the rider. When the muscles are strong, they don't have to work hard, therefore stay relaxed so the joints of the shoulders, elbows, wrists, hands and fingers are allowed to stay well oiled, relaxed and able to feel exactly what the horse is doing and feel what to do to help him understand what the rider is asking. Rider fitness is a huge part of the equation! When we ride horses, there are two athletes....the horse and the rider! well of course...... you get…tag:www.barnmice.com,2010-08-09:1773158:Comment:2638692010-08-09T19:57:51.095ZJennifer Lammhttp://www.barnmice.com/profile/JenniferLamm
well of course...... you get more flys with honey than vinegar!! :) they respnd very much to a touch... and the second you touch the lead rope or the reins your energy is going right to them... they are so responsive.... I think people just lug horses around with a heavy hand... I wouldn't like that so I try to be how I would want to be treated.. :) Toby and I practiced too...he is the cutest old bug ever... I don't think anyone was ever light with him...... poor old buddy o mine...
well of course...... you get more flys with honey than vinegar!! :) they respnd very much to a touch... and the second you touch the lead rope or the reins your energy is going right to them... they are so responsive.... I think people just lug horses around with a heavy hand... I wouldn't like that so I try to be how I would want to be treated.. :) Toby and I practiced too...he is the cutest old bug ever... I don't think anyone was ever light with him...... poor old buddy o mine... Good, you are developing the…tag:www.barnmice.com,2010-08-09:1773158:Comment:2638642010-08-09T19:49:38.575ZJackie Cochranhttp://www.barnmice.com/profile/JackieCochran
Good, you are developing the feeling of lightness. Come to think of it I think I did something like this with my first horse oh so long ago. Isn't it amazing how light a touch horses can feel? I also find that with the lighter aids I get MORE of my horse's attention.
Good, you are developing the feeling of lightness. Come to think of it I think I did something like this with my first horse oh so long ago. Isn't it amazing how light a touch horses can feel? I also find that with the lighter aids I get MORE of my horse's attention. everything starts with energy…tag:www.barnmice.com,2010-08-09:1773158:Comment:2638612010-08-09T19:36:28.149ZJennifer Lammhttp://www.barnmice.com/profile/JenniferLamm
everything starts with energy..... and intent...... your body and fingers are just an extension of your communication with your horse.... this weekend, Oliver and I did an exercise where I was so light with his lead rope that I led him everywhere with an eensy amount of pressure on the lead rope, guiding his head, but using my energy, intent and body language... he was such a good boy.. and he got it and he enjoyed it!! ... now you know I don't ride... and that is because I work on energy and…
everything starts with energy..... and intent...... your body and fingers are just an extension of your communication with your horse.... this weekend, Oliver and I did an exercise where I was so light with his lead rope that I led him everywhere with an eensy amount of pressure on the lead rope, guiding his head, but using my energy, intent and body language... he was such a good boy.. and he got it and he enjoyed it!! ... now you know I don't ride... and that is because I work on energy and communication and when we got that down I think riding will be easy, with easy hands and a willing horse...... :) Light hands are reactive hand…tag:www.barnmice.com,2010-08-09:1773158:Comment:2635712010-08-09T05:14:21.222ZJulia Slaterhttp://www.barnmice.com/profile/JuliaSlater
Light hands are reactive hands. They will give the support each individual horse needs, for each maneuver that is being executed<br />
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Light hands are authorative hands. They will give as much direction as each individual horse needs for each maneuver.<br />
<br />
Light hands are fast hands. They will change their communication as each individual horse reacts to the previous signal given.<br />
<br />
Light hands are wise hands. They will whisper or shout, depending on the needs of the horse.<br />
<br />
Light hands are useless by…
Light hands are reactive hands. They will give the support each individual horse needs, for each maneuver that is being executed<br />
<br />
Light hands are authorative hands. They will give as much direction as each individual horse needs for each maneuver.<br />
<br />
Light hands are fast hands. They will change their communication as each individual horse reacts to the previous signal given.<br />
<br />
Light hands are wise hands. They will whisper or shout, depending on the needs of the horse.<br />
<br />
Light hands are useless by themselves. You got your whole body available to communicate w/ your horse. You might as well use it.