My arm problem

[Kiwismum]

My big problem at the moment seems to be that my arms are too stiff(or so I am told)
I have been working very hard on this problem and my arms feel very loose to me.
My trainer tells me that when my arms are loose and relaxed I will be able to bring the horse onto the bit and to round her back more. I can do this at a halt, but the moment I move she sticks her nose out in the air again.

Today while practising I tried to imagine that my arms between my shoulders and my hands(with are never closed enough) was liquid and it still didn't seem to make any difference. If I feel like my arms are relaxed, what else can I do. I'm a bit stumped on this one.

[jane]

Hi,
I have a similar problem except i mainly carry my tension in my left arm! I cant tell if you do the same thing as me but here goes. You dont want your arms to be floppy and relaxed and dropped but merely soft and allowing. You can keep your arms in the same place but just allow the tightness and tension to go. You need not move anything but you are left with soft arms and hands not rods. I attended an alexander technique course which made me realise that you can just tell a muscle not to work or in this case just drop the tension without moving bits of your body. Mindblowing stuff! Are you sure the tension is in all in your arms and not in your shoulders and back aswell? (oh dear, am i making things worse?)
Have you tried doing arm circling etc to release the tension in you arms and shoulders. I was also told to envisage my arms as drainpipes and a drip of water was dribbling down the upper arm, through the elbow, down the lower arm and dripping of the tip of the little finger. It worked for me but very hard to maintain the image. Sorry if the first bit is garbled but its hard to explain without waving my arms about!

Good luck

[Lex]

Try and imagine your arm as a piece of elastic. Not tight but with give in it, if your horse pokes her nose it is probably due to lack of impulsion so maybe working on that would help after all the engine is the most important part. If you can get your horse really going forward with impulsion... not speed then the horse will find it much easier to round itself and work over ts back, making your job easier.

[Farm_Girl5]

Grab a pair of reins! Get a friend to hold the reins and you take up a contact. Get them to do the movements of the horse like walk - backwards and forwards, trot - back and forward a little etc... and you have to follow with the SAME contact! It's VERY good! Good for anyone actually!
Hope this helps and tell me how ya go!
Byeee!
Kristy

[olympicprincess]

I agree with the other posts, but just want to add a comment about being on the bit. It takes a while for horses to be able to correctly carry themselves. Their muscles need to be strengthened and their minds adjust to getting used to carrying themselves this way. Good Luck.

[Kiwismum]

Thanks for all the good replies. I have found that if I imagine that I am hold a little chicken while I ride it helps.
My horse has been very well schooled, so I know that any problems are with me and not with her, and if I ride her properly she will come onto the bit and stay there.
I am sure that with a little more practice I will get there.