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Post by nia2311 on Jan 3, 2012 14:09:50 GMT
Hello! I'd like some advice as to how we can encourage my 9yo son to keep his hands low down and still as he moves from trot to canter? Its more of a raising the hands problem rather than him moving them, but he does sometimes get a little "flappy" with them too, especially if the pony is the unwilling sort at best. He has a good seat and can work well without stirrups, but no matter what advice we've given, he always seems to sneak the hands higher and higher, until he is giving confusing commands down the reins, when in fact he wants the pony to step up into canter. This has been a problem in the show ring before, with judges suggesting his hand position as an area to work on, and it can spoil the pony's outline too.
The other problem for us at the moment is the lack of a regular ride (have posted a thread looking for a pony too!). He gets a full hour class lesson at weekends, but the ability range is fairly wide (its aimed at anyone over the age of 8 who can canter and jump) and clearly the instructor has to spread her time over the other 5-6 riders. He gets a 30min private with a really good instructor too, but again, time is the issue and he cannot practice her instructions in between classes - there is no opportunity to reinforce the exercises.
Any suggestions welcomed!
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Post by sageandonion on Jan 3, 2012 14:23:22 GMT
Balance strap fitted to the front D rings. Your son can simply slip a finger or two under. It is amazing how that little thing can keep the hands positioned correctly. You will be able to move it from one saddle to another.
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Post by iluvmyponies on Jan 3, 2012 14:23:43 GMT
When my cousin used to ride my Section A, I was very strict with her hands & legs! They were like jelly! If I saw her hands start 'bobbing', I would knot the reins up & make her hold her saddle/put her hands on her head. (On the lunge. Pony was as safe as houses.) I used to explain & demonstrate to her how to keep your hands still (When you rise, your arms should straighten a little & then bend a little when you sit.) & by making her hold onto her saddle, she could feel her arms bending & straightening. When she got used to the feel of it, I'd give her her reins back & tell her to exaggerate the bending & straightening & then start to make it more discrete as she felt comfortable. Her hands were terrible at the start of last show season so I did this with her once a week, we did 1 hour concentrating on hands & legs & after about 5 weeks, her hands & legs were solid.
Where are you based?
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Post by iluvmyponies on Jan 3, 2012 14:25:43 GMT
Forgot to add-My cousin is 12 & has been riding for 6 years.
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Post by nia2311 on Jan 3, 2012 14:30:34 GMT
Hi. We are based in Bolton Luvmyponies, and I did PM you about one of your ads elsewhere on the boards! The thing is, my son is a good rider, not a beginner in any sense of the word, yet this is his "vice" - its always been a minor issue, but became more obvious when he started doing FR showing last year. I will ask his instructor if we can put a strap on the D rings of the saddle, but we are using riding school pony and tack, so don't know if they will allow this. What do you think about using a neckstrap for a short while? I know they have neck straps they could loan us. The suggestion from Luvmyponies is great, but again, our issue is having time - we only have private access to a pony for 30mins per week at the moment, and he could spend the whole 30mins just practising hand positions! I will speak to his instructor about doing some of the exercises you suggest this week.
To clarify - my son is 9 and has been riding seriously for 2yrs, plodded around hacking on the LR since he was 5
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Post by fanfarefan on Jan 3, 2012 18:19:08 GMT
i appreciate that your son is not a beginner , but i think if he could go on the lunge and practice riding without reins i think he would benefit greatly , essentially what it boils down to is correct balance and at 9yrs it wont be perfect, ,riding without reins will get your son using his natural balance , down through his seat to feet , and sitting up straight , good luck
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Post by nia2311 on Jan 4, 2012 21:01:45 GMT
Just to say, he rode today in a private on a more forward going mare, and the report back was that hand position was much improved, without the need for a strap. I think the issue is that some of the small school ponies are so used to just following the animal in front and/or having a leader, they don't actually understand the aids, or chose to ignore them! His hands are worst when riding an unwilling pony who needs loads of leg. The more leg needed, the higher the hands get, but that then makes the pony worse! We will try out some of the exercises suggested above when we have a regular ride for him to practice with.
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Post by shellywell on Jan 9, 2012 14:36:45 GMT
Sounds like it is a panic reaction. If the pony won't go forward off his leg, he then feels he has to do more, but isn't sure of what or is even aware of his hands. I have seen this alot in kids on less than responsive ponies, it varies from rising the hands to tipping forward to encourage forward movement.
You need to get a pony, lol!!! Meanwhile though.....
S&O's advise regarding a strap is a good one, kids need black and white until it is fixed in their minds, its not about your son feeling like a "baby" by holding the strap (which he may well think), its more about eliminating a reaction the easiest way without making him feel bad.
Another option is asking him to try and touch the saddle as he goes into canter.
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Post by Em5 on Jan 9, 2012 19:28:13 GMT
Just a thought! have you tried videoing your son so he can watch his riding himself. I find it helps with children if they can watch and see the problem for themselves, try and video him when he's holding his hands correctly and when he's raising them so he can see the difference.
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Post by nia2311 on Jan 10, 2012 18:14:09 GMT
Thanks for the replies guys - when I get the chance I will film him, and he can look with his instructor. Also shellywell - i think you are right about why it happens and yes, we do need a pony, but cant afford to buy!! We are looking for a part loan preferably - some possibilities in the pipeline, but its about finding something suitable for him in the long term, that he can learn and grow with.
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Post by teamarcher on Jan 10, 2012 22:35:28 GMT
Easy solution!! especially as hes a boy! give him 10 £1 coins. tell him you will fine him £1 each time his hands move up. I guarantee he will walk away with at least £6 and then the next time £8!! works very well!  |
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Post by nia2311 on Jan 10, 2012 23:10:27 GMT
Now THAT is a solution teamarcher!! He loves Airfix, so he will be losing money from his next model if he doesn't keep his hands still. Great idea, thanks!
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Post by teamarcher on Jan 12, 2012 16:13:48 GMT
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Post by maislow on Jan 12, 2012 17:51:19 GMT
go with TM suggestion but tell him to think of pushing his hands down in the transitions to keep him money lol
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Post by nia2311 on Jan 12, 2012 18:10:41 GMT
I've told him about the money idea and he pulled a face! Sounds like it will work a treat, especially if linked to the purchase of an Airfix model..... Loads of great ideas on here guys, thanks. We just need a loan pony to work with now.....
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JOJO
Newbie
Posts: 21
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Post by JOJO on Jan 15, 2012 14:58:13 GMT
my instructer when i was younger used to tell me to imagine i was holding tea cups. everytime my hands moved from where they should be she used to say "you're spilling tea all over your pony again!"It sounds mad but i worked for me and i still think of it now haha
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Post by randombadger on Jan 17, 2012 0:57:07 GMT
I have had this with a jockey. Asking for canter or on bends hands were near her chin!
I find at home a few strands of plaiting thread from d to d for little fingers to hook to and a good hack out with various speeds develops balance. I have a little knot on each rein too. Plus a martingale should all balance disappear then a last ditch before the ground comes neck strap grab is a must.
It will come with time and falls. My jockey rides too low now *rolls eyes* were now working on thumbs and hands up your not on a motorbike lol. Oh and heels are coming up again now she is learning to create a banana with her pony and bend him. :-)
EDIT to mention gloves also a MUST!!!
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Post by nia2311 on Jan 17, 2012 21:01:54 GMT
The thing is randombadger is that he seems to have glue on his bum and hasn't fallen off due to his hand position!! He also always wears gloves with bobble grips. When we finally find a part loan pony for him to work with, we can work with all these ideas, but we're stuck with school ponies for 1.5hr a week at the moment. He couldn't ride this week due to injuring his ankle in PE last week - he was very miffed
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Post by nici on Jan 19, 2012 21:50:13 GMT
If you're still struggling to find a pony by the time our fields dry up and are fit to ride in (if they ever do  ) you should come to visit (and ride with our kids) at weekends! They tend not to do too much serious schooling though - they will do some but prefer to play games and have races a lot of the time ;D Their positions may not always be perfect, but they're developing great balance lol! We always have more ponies than jockeys so extra jockeys are welcome ;D And we're not too far away from you I don't think (north Warrington). |
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Post by nia2311 on Jan 19, 2012 22:44:47 GMT
Nici we'd love to visit and come and have a ride, its just a shame you're not a tad closer - its a bit far for weekdays after school! If you are ever available at a weekend, do let me know and we will come and meet you. Thank you for your message xx
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Post by kayleigh on Jan 20, 2012 7:29:28 GMT
Just a quick something to try, take the saddlecloth keepers off the saddle, the ones at front of the saddlecloth sort of near the d rings on the saddle that go through the girth straps, if you know what I mean? And make him hold one in each hand along with his reins, he won't be able to lift his hands then, also works with people that ride too low! X
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Post by kayleigh on Jan 20, 2012 7:29:52 GMT
Just a quick something to try, take the saddlecloth keepers off the saddle, the ones at front of the saddlecloth sort of near the d rings on the saddle that go through the girth straps, if you know what I mean? And make him hold one in each hand along with his reins, he won't be able to lift his hands then, also works with people that ride too low! X
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Post by nia2311 on Jan 20, 2012 9:49:45 GMT
Hi Faldingwood livery - I know what you mean and it is a good idea as well. He can do that with the school ponies, as most have keepers on the saddlecloth or numnah although some have come off... Thanks for all the suggestions guys, keep them coming!!
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) you should come to visit (and ride with our kids) at weekends! They tend not to do too much serious schooling though - they will do some but prefer to play games and have races a lot of the time ;D Their positions may not always be perfect, but they're developing great balance lol! 