Fixed Hands v Busy Hands problem!

[marchhare2006]

Hello,

For the last few months, every time I've had a riding lesson, I've been told off for having 'fixed hands' but I've not know how to correct this. It's really noticeable as every horse I've ridden lately has gone around with its head in the air, if not actively shaking its head so I'm obviously doing something wrong.

However, my real confusion started last night when my instructor told me to use my hands in a completely different way than I'm used to. She told me to keep moving my writsts in and out with my thumbs on top so that the tips of my thumbs were pointing at each other and then out again. This did seem to stop the horse fighting my hands so much, but it felt like it was encouraging me to stick my elbows out and also, my hands felt 'busy' as she told me to keep doing it, not just when I was making a turn.

I've always thought I should sponge my fingers to make a turn, rather than move my wrists, but now I'm confused because I'm obviously doing something wrong, but I'm not sure that this is the correct solution. Please help!