Re: [IceHorses] What is Lightness? What is Softness?
Karen Thomas [EMAIL PROTECTED] kirjoitti: 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 Fjóla has been trained that way. Always with short rein and non-moving hands (actually I was told to hold the saddle to keep my hands in one place...). I still have a long way to go with her, she's a young horse and gets very insecure when I do something she's not used to. So some days I really can't follow her movement with my hands and I've never been able to ride her with long rein (not even walk). Krisse
Re: [IceHorses] What is Lightness? What is Softness?
So some days I really can't follow her movement with my hands and I've never been able to ride her with long rein (not even walk). Sometimes you can reward at the end of a ride or training session by allowing her to walk forward on a long rein, head down and out. Once she gets the idea that she doesn't have to have contact all the time, she may learn to like having more rein. Nancy
RE: [IceHorses] What is Lightness? What is Softness?
Fjóla has been trained that way. Always with short rein and non-moving hands (actually I was told to hold the saddle to keep my hands in one place...). I still have a long way to go with her, she's a young horse and gets very insecure when I do something she's not used to. Hey, when you're starting a young horse, or restarting one, form often flies out the window for a while, until they get the basics down. I'm sure you've seen pictures of me in less-than-ideal form - more than in ideal form I'm sure! So some days I really can't follow her movement with my hands and I've never been able to ride her with long rein (not even walk). Can you tell us what you're doing with her to make progress? I'm always fascinated with new ideas. Karen Thomas, NC No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG. Version: 7.5.518 / Virus Database: 269.21.7/1327 - Release Date: 3/12/2008 1:27 PM
Re: [IceHorses] What is Lightness? What is Softness?
On Wed, Mar 12, 2008 at 3:53 PM, Judy Ryder [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: What is lightness in regard to hands on the reins? what are soft hands? My favorite thing to see in a horseman/woman -- Laree in NC Doppa Mura Simon, Sadie and Sam (the S gang) Yet when all the books have been read and reread, it boils down to the horse, his human companion, and what goes on between them. - William Farley
Re: [IceHorses] What is Lightness? What is Softness?
On 3/12/08, Judy Ryder [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: What is lightness in regard to hands on the reins? what are soft hands? Judy holding the reins with the pressure of holding a plum in the hands. Janice-- even good horses have bad days sometimes.
Re: [IceHorses] What is Lightness? What is Softness?
What is lightness in regard to hands on the reins? what are soft hands? I like the old thing about substituting a length of sewing thread for reins. Nancy
Re: [IceHorses] 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, the lightbulb came on for me. I'd always noticed how stiff the shoulders of most Icelandic show riders are, but hadn't really paid attention to the hands before. Since then, I see it - they often plant their hands very rigidly, which creates tension throughout their upper body. If we believe that our bodies' mirror our horses' bodies, and vice versa (and I do) then that creates a huge brace in the horse's front end.Couple these non-following hands with the hard rein contact and you have real problems. I know...I had two TWH that were started in long-shanked bits that I had to re-train. I'd love to redo my early years with both of those horses. If you have soft hands and lightness, you shouldn't have bulging forearms...not unless you got them in the gym. if you can see the forearm muscles bulging while the rider is riding, I think there's most likely a big problem with lightness. Karen Thomas, NC
