How to train your hands?

I ask this because my left hand is not very "stable" as one might say.

I am very aware of this problem, and I am very ashamed of it, I cannot keep it steady if you can understand me, i am constantly niggling with my left hand.

At the moment i do not ride unless with a length of cane or a stick in my hands to keep them level, and this is already showing improvment in my horse's outline, he is more accepting of the contact and is becomming more consistent in his outline.

so how do i train my hands? million dollar question I know, but any help apreciated :D

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Permalink Reply by Jan Jollymour on April 22, 2009 at 5:15pm

Dear D:

Please don't be ashamed of something with which almost every rider has struggled or is struggling. This is a problem for most of us, and as a coach and trainer I can tell you that I see it all the time. We are just as right or left dominant in the saddle as our horses are under it, and the work of becoming truly even and level in our seats and hands is ongoing.

You are on the right track using the stick to keep your hands level, and to stop you from overusing your dominant side (which may or may not be connected to your "dominant" hand when unmounted). You can also use two large elastics looped through each other to make an "8". Put one hand through each loop and ride that way - they'll remind you to keep your hands steady and level with each other. As your horse becomes more consistently connected and more accepting of the contact in both reins you will find it easier to maintain that contact. It's a little of the "chicken and egg" syndrome!

Keep up the good work and don't waste energy on feeling ashamed . Channel that energy and attention into working on the issue instead!

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Permalink Reply by Barbara F. on April 23, 2009 at 8:22am

I have used what some people call a bucking strap. It's a rounded piece of leather with a clip on each end. It attaches to the D rings at the front of your saddle and would be there to grab on to in an emergency. Lots of people have these on the front of the saddle and if you lightly round a finger around the strap, you will be forced to keep your hands steady. You can then progress to always touching the strap with the back of each baby finger while you ride.
It sounds like you are on the right track though. Keep up the good work - we all have challenges with our hands! :)

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Permalink Reply by Annette Willson on April 26, 2009 at 11:15pm

A neck strap is even more effective and easier to use

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Permalink Reply by Savannah Rijk on April 24, 2009 at 9:07pm

Hey
My coach in Holland told me to do barn work with both hands... For example when you use the broom, first start with your right hand and the other half with your left hand. And with try to learn to write with both hands ;)

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Permalink Reply by Annette Willson on April 26, 2009 at 11:15pm

do this with your eyes closed for even better results

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Permalink Reply by Donna Humber on April 27, 2009 at 7:01am

I was also taught to ride on occasion with "bridged reins",cross both reins through both hands...allow wider hands for the greener horse, and less distance as things improve. Same basic principle as the "bucking" or grab strap, but no additional equipment required, and the advantage is..you can do a wee bit of warm-up this way to get organised, fix reins properly and then enter the ring and score those 8's !!

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Permalink Reply by Karen Murphy on May 14, 2009 at 5:20pm

The above suggestions are all wonderful. I have this problem too - for me it stems more from my seat (tension, some lack of balance) so I do lots of balance and relaxation exercises while moving my horse about without the reins. Then I test myself by picking the reins up again. Keep working at it!