Proper Use of the Hands according the French tradition

 

Proper use of the hands. 

 

I already know I will forget something.

 

But, here we go anyways. 

 

Your hands live in a "box" in front of you on the horse. That box, during collection; is about 6 inches wide and 5 inches tall. That box, on a young horse; is about 16 inches wide (about) and about 4 inches tall.

This box represents how refined the rein aids become as the center of gravity of the horse (right behind the wither but also extends underneath the horse in a long triangle shape) gets narrower during collection.

You may use your hands within this box the way hands are intended to be used. But generally on a young horse your hands will be a little wider than on a horse working high collection. This isn't something you create in one day, it's a development on the horse that you create and more importantly chase each day.

You may NEVER move the hand backward (or too far down) as this contracts the neck, there is vertebral interference, and you lose the horses trust in the contact. You may shorten the rein (the reins should be adjusted continuously never becoming stale in length as the neck naturally lengthens and shortens depending on the gait). In general they will be longest in walk and shortest in canter.

 

Above all, you want your horse to trust the contact. That it will always be there; but it will be very light and alive. 

 

You may move the hand upwards or to the side and then put it back in your box. The hands will live in this box while your elbow remains elastic and your upper arm remains hanging relaxed at your side, with your traps and lats engaged with positive tension (tension that moves under rhythm).

What is the purpose of moving the hand upwards?

I move the hand upwards to create a "jaw flexion" in the horse; licking and chewing. I do this with both or one rein and then I put it right back in the box. 

 

You can also do various jaw flexions on the ground by pulling the bit gently forward or to the side (millimeters at a time do not go crazy, force is not a part of this. You are using the bit as a tool and the pressures as suggestions to shape a feeling). You are creating That Forward Feeling by giving the horse a contact he can trust and then filling that contact with energy.

 

What is the purpose of moving the hand to the side?

To create lateral pressure on the outside and unload the right front shoulder by transferring weight to the outside shoulder and outside rein. Or, moving the outside rein in this way can help you find a "lost" outside rein (this is the end of the horses center of gravity).