August 16, 2002, Newsletter Issue #86: Use of The Natural Aids

Tip of the Week

This week we will discuss the Hands; with the seat, legs, feet following next week. The shoulders, arms and hands all work together to control the direction of the horse, through the reins and thus the bit.

The hands are the direct contact with the mouth of the horse. The best test of your hands is to take a bit with reins, place the bit in your own mouth (clean with bleach/javex first) and then use the amount of pull that you are most comfortable or accustomed to using when you ride, on the reins while the bit is in your own mouth. The sensitivity is no different between a new green horse, and your own mouth. Can you feel how even the slightest pressure is HEAVILY FELT on your own mouth? As a horse is ridden, the mouth does lose that initial sensitivity, but, it is still always much more sensitive than almost any rider realizes, that has not done this test; and even those who have.

The hands help to control the direction of the shoulders/arms by constant adjustment in the wrist area. The hands must also make the adjustments according to the movement of the horse`s head and neck so that the bit-rein-hand-arm-all maintain a continuous and straight line without tension and with gentleness. The hands must maintain that communication between the body`s commands from the shoulders/arms yet also while transmitting those commands; remain sensitive and adjusting of the horse`s head and neck movements accordingly.

Hands should always be closed, and securely taking hold of the reins, yet quick to make adjustments closer to the horse`s mouth or down the reins towards the buckle, as the situation demands.

A Saddleseat or Fine Harness horse will demand that the Rider/Driver`s hands be held higher than any other discipline. The Hack will demand the lowest hand position of all; with the Hunter/Jumper, Western Pleasure, Reiner and Trail all in the middle positioning of these two extremes. Dressage will require the greatest flexibility of all disciplines.

Next week, we will present the Seat, Legs and feet.

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