[IceHorses] Re: What is Lightness? What is Softness?
What is lightness in regard to hands on the reins? what are soft hands? Soft hands will continuously move very lightly in time with the horse's gait - I've always heard them called following hands. When someone on the list told me that some Icelander trainer told them that their hands should never move when the horse moves Always with short rein and non-moving hands (actually I was told to hold the saddle to keep my hands in one place...). I've been told that too. Even had a piece of string attached to the saddle to put my thumbs through. I was so stiff that the horse bolted off in cantypace which I managed to sit to and remain upright. I couldn't stop the horse at all. I read about 'following hands' in several riding books and I guess I found out the why of that. Theres a world of difference between hands being 'still' and still in relation to the horse. It's an awful lot for a beginner like me to work out when people are teaching wrong concepts. It helps to have several resources like books and videos. In the end the horse is the best teacher. Sue UK
[IceHorses] Re: What is Lightness? What is Softness?
Thanks Judy - this is a great topic. I can't define softness or lightness for myself without first defining contact. A lack of contact can be neither soft nor light - although I will often ride on a long rein deliberately. I like to feel an elastic butterfly connection to my horse - although I have been criticized for sometimes having insufficient contact. - So I guess elasticity has to be a component here. Sometimes if my horse needs support I will increase the contact - the pressure on the reins in the rein/body/leg circle - but this requires adjusting the rest so the horse knows stop right away or shorten your frame etc. This can still be soft in my mind, but is maybe no longer as light. But really, I think these are just adjectives to describe a contact rather than definitions - these must mean different things to all of us - especially considering our different riding styles. Feel free to criticize - this is only an idea and I welcome feedback. Laura.
Re: [IceHorses] Re: What is Lightness? What is Softness?
I read about 'following hands' in several riding books and I guess I found out the why of that. Theres a world of difference between hands being 'still' and still in relation to the horse. I've also always heard the term quiet hands. That doesn't mean dead still as you point out, but certainly not annoyingly all over the place either. Hands can - and should - be both quiet and following. Moderation is just SOOO underrated in some circles. ;) Karen Thomas, NC
