hands still

[Horsesarelife]

When I ride my hnds never keep still never. I really try but I find it really hard also I tend to look down does anyone no any cures for either.

Thanks :D

[Scarlett 001]

I struggle a bit with the hands moving too much in posting trot and especially sitting trot. So I sympathize although I don't have any real advice. For the posting trot, my instructor always words it as "post into the hands, not with the hands". I suppose as usual practice and really thinking about it help (some people say it helps to have a certain point on the arena where you do a check of something each time). I have found no magic cure yet!!!

[Yann]

I think it's all about developing an independant seat, that is where you don't have to rely on your hands or the reins for balance, and it will come with time. Exercises without the reins will help, perhaps on the lunge, and also making sure your 'rise' to the trot is a forward and back movement rather than an up/down. This will help you stay in sync with the motion of the horse and hence in balance.

[kedwards]

When you say that your hands aren't still, do you mean that they bounce (aren't independent from your seat) or that you constantly fidget and fuss with the reins? If it's a matter of bouncing, I agree with Yann that the most effective exercises will be those focused on your seat. Work without reins and your hands outstretched, then on your hips, then up in the air, etc...

When you take the reins back, test yourself by posting and sitting trot with your pinkies stretched out and just touching the withers. This puts your hands lower than they would ideally be, but it's a good diagnostic exercise to see whether you can separate seat and hand movements.

[virtuallyhorses]

Need more information ... :)

Do you mean at the trot? at all gaits? what problems are caused by you looking down?

If your major problem is having your hands bounce when rising at the trot - think of pushing your hands down when you rise and and lifting them when you sit.

Remember though that 'still hands' aren't really still - they have to move in order to remain constant relative to the horse's movement. Fiddling with your hands is often a sign that you don't have any contact and that you aren't really working the horse from your legs and seat forward but just mucking about with its head ;)