Do you think it will work?

[Silver1]

http://www.gmdressage.com/

That kind of intrigued me, I saw it a few days ago, passed by it with out bookmarking, then spent half of yesterday digging it up again. I emailed the guy asking what it actually *did* and this is the reply:

Hello,

Thank you for inquiring about the GripMaster Equestrian Hand Elasticiser.

It is a unique exercise machine designed to condition and develop the fingers, hand, wrist and forearm. It promotes flexibility and dexterity in the fingers and hands. Most people using the GripMaster Equestrian quickly realize that the ring and index finger of their hands are quite weak and not very mobile, yet these are the fingers most useful and necessary for refined application of the reins.

The GripMaster Equestrian helps riders to become more ambidextrous in the application of the reins by developing the weaker hand in left or right handed people. This is most advantageous with regard to correcting the one-sidedness of the horse, an important element of correct training. With the GripMaster Equestrian we address the one-sidedness of the rider, conducive to a more balanced contact with the horses mouth!

The GripMaster Equestrian comes with an exercise brochure which describes a variety of specific exercises for working different parts of the hand. Perhaps one of the most beneficial for riders aside from those that work each finger individually is what we call the "thumb pinch" which specifically develops the muscles of the hand that help to close the thumb against the top of the index finger. This conditioning really allows the rider to "trap" the rein in the correct manner and not allow it to slip. By so doing the lower fingers are not concerned with holding the reins but perform the job of opening and closing in a soft, elastic fist thus applying the reins as described for correct riding. This is one of the reasons why we say it improves the riders hand position as described by the FEI. It is conducive to maintaining the closed fist position of the hand as opposed to fingers extended which is often seen especially with novice or beginner riders.

The design of the GripMaster encourages and develops a broader spectrum of hand and finger actions. It also provides a means for exercising the wrists in a manner that develops suppleness. Soft, supple wrists are one of the important elements of a nice contact with the horses mouth.


sooooooo...what do you think? Will it work?

[Showjumper]

My boyfriend has one of those. He uses it to keep his hands and arms strong for playing guitar and bass...

[Dales_Lover]

What a weird concept - I suppose it could work though - I know my little fingers are pretty usless, it would be good to 'exercise' them more!

[Mary1]

as if holding two sparrows (one in each hand). Why would you need a GRIPmaster?

[makebelieve]

as if holding two sparrows (one in each hand). Why would you need a GRIPmaster?I don't think you use it at the same time.

[Tangle]

I think it would help to give you more independant fingers and would also increase overal hand and arm strength.

It's going to be doing something very similar to an exercise I was given by my cello teacher for independant fingers (which is free :D) - rest your finger tips on the table as though you're typing (so they fall in a curve, not straight out) and then, lifting only one at a time, tap them in sequence - so four taps with you index finger, then your middle finger, then your ring finger, then your little finger. (The taps should be around 1 sec apart and it shouldn't hurt when they come down!) Then work back up. Then just do two taps with each finger, and then just one. Then start changing the order around.....
If you're fairly normal, you'll probably find that the height your middle and ring fingers can acheive is substantially less than the others. You'll also probably find it harder with your left hand (if you're right handed).

Whether it can really help you acheive a soft and following hand is another question. I can see it might help you maintain a more closed hand position (more practice) but I'm less convinced you can learn the responsiveness without having something to respond to. If that makes sense :o;)

[kedwards]

I'm skeptical. Mainly because I don't think that independence and fine use of individual fingers is a main issue in riding.

If anything, I've needed to learn to keep my fingers relatively still and closed around the reins, relying instead on movement in my arms, wrist, and shoulders. My fingers are amply strong and independent from years of classical piano, but I really haven't found that to be something that helps my riding.

[laura jeanne]

Tangle, your exercise sounds like it would help a flute player like I used to be too. Try trilling with one finger while all the others are down on the keys!

[Susara]

I don't know, it sounds to like if your fingers are really stupid (like mine) it might help.

In my jumping lessons we always had the crop in the right hand. So on starting dressage lessons I was totally unused to holding the crop on the inside when on the left reign. It would go flying all over when I tried to 'play' with the reigns with my fingers.

So whilst commuting to work and back I'd fiddle with my 4th and 5th fingers on the steering wheel, twiddling them, tapping them, etc. I think it helped quite a bit. Not just with keeping the crop controlled, but also to play with fingers rather than hands - kedwards, I always get told 'fingers, not hand! fingers!'. But I think that's because I move my hands way too much.

BTW - seems there is some kind of relationship between loving music and loving horses? Did classical piano myself... :-)

[kedwards]

Susarah, perhaps it's just me then and it isn't at all related to my being "finger oriented" from piano. I had a terrible time getting used to keeping my fingers closed when riding. It certainly isn't from lack of finger strength, I'd just want to use them too much independently.

Interesting thought about riding and music. I certainly see a relationship. While I'm not sure my fine finger coordination has helped me as much as it has in other areas, a good sense of rhythm and timing certainly does help. I also think that a pianist's training in maintaining different rhythms simultaneously and working with the two sides of the body independently is probably an advantage.

[Silver1]

The reason why I was interested in it was I read that people who are one sided tend to make their horses one sided. As they can't help putting unequal pressure on the reins. :eek:

So I was looking for some hand building exercises, and finger building exercises, in the event I feel confident enough to try driving one handed ;)