HANDS!!

[HurveyBai]

Well Bailey is going really nicely atm, starting to get back into her old self and is jumping lovely! The only problem is that over some jumps im fine others instead of pushing them up the neck i pull them in towards me so have to have mega baggy reins as im scared of hurting her.

Do you think that maybe a session of reaching for her ears over small jumps and then gradually get bigger?

We have just got her right and I don't want to mess her up, she doesn't seem to mind if I accidentally pull on her mouth but I would definately have something to say if I was her!   I have a competition on saturday so want to get it sorted before then if I can.

Thanks

[Jayvee]

TBH you are better off keeping your hands still, and in the perfect place on the neck just bit up from the withers. Start throwing your hands and arms about will unbalance your horse and could cause refusals and he may find it unnerving and even more likely to sock him in the mouth. Most prefer contact even if firm so just shorten your reins and use your arms as the 'adjuster' in lengthing and shortening.

[Jayvee]

Sorry- her!

[HurveyBai]

Sorry, I'm not sure if I worded it right, when we go over a jump I tend to pull the reins into my chest.

Do you think I should just concentrate on keeping my hands still on 1 position then instead of the whole reaching for the ears?

And dw, shes always getting called a he! Think its her name :P

[Jayvee]

I know what you mean. And yes try and keep hands still on approach, in flight and on landing but just having that elastic give in your arms -shoulders and elbows. If you google say showjumping in images you will see the majority have their hands in that classic spot on or close to the neck part just up from the wither.

I have a bad habit of trying to 'pick my horse up' on take off, like I am lifting them up with my reins grrr! Thankfully it's not a too bad a habit that it interfers too much but I still shouldn't do it!:rolleyes:

[HurveyBai]

Ok, thanks very much. I will give it a try :)  I wasn't quite sure on how to approach this one so thought I'd ask, seems I have been trying to do it the riding school way I think! :p

[HurveyBai]

Have actually just typed showjumping into google images and I can see what you mean now! I'm amazed by it as I was always taught reach for the ears but even on the huge jumps they don't seem to be over-stretching their arms/hands. :D

Thanks for the tip! :D:D