Kids wobbly hands

[paige1316]

Put on lunge and ask him to hold a drink of water or palate of food. Start in walk until VERRY little is spilling. Then slowly build up on pace. Put on lunge so is not hurting ponies mouth and you have control.

[paige1316]

I used to have that and my feet moved as well, I remember my instructor tying my feet to mu girth with twine and asking me to carry a lass of water. Whilst on the lunge. I am now still but my toes still stick out a little lol

[paige1316]

Awwww, bless hope this helps

[gillwales]

use a loose ring bit as it will reduce the impact on the pony, also put a neck strap around the ponies neck, that will help balance your son, however the greatest thing is to improve his confidence, do round the world and other exercises that are fun and help with balance... make sure the pony will cope with anything first!

[GinaGeo]

A "magic twig" to hold under his thumbs. It will limit the hand movement without obstructing his riding. I always found a riding stick, like some use, too chunky and too long, but a twig worked well - I had mine for years, and it was fondly nicknamed

[sjw87]

I've always found that improving the overall position is more effective than concentrating soley on his hands.

If his legs are wobbly, his whole position is unstable and the hands will move as a result. If you concentrate on confidence, relaxation and his core strength, giving him a stable position through his legs and seat, his hands will follo suit.

Sent from my ST18i using proboards

[gillwales]

if that is the case then put a head collar over the bridle and use roundings between the bit and side rings of the head collar , this is a bit of a Heath Robinson solution, however if it enables your son and his pony to work together well then it does not matter. I used to teach RDA many years ago, one thing that it taught me was how riding improves inner core strength no matter the physicality of the rider, it does take time though. I hope your son has loads of fun

[sjw87]

Sorry, didn't realise that when I replied.

Ditto gillwales with her suggestions.

I'd be wary of making too much of an issue of it as if you and he focus on it too much, he will tense and make things worse.

The more he enjoys it and builds his confidence, he will begin to build core strength over time, it will just take longer than if he didn't have the problems.

Sent from my ST18i using proboards

[kp]

my son was the same to begin with but i think it all comes with practice and a good instructor -

[reb]

If he is able (and pony is suitable), get him doing some exercises on the lunge without his reins. Rising trot with hands on hips, out like an aeroplane, folded, on head. Helps to establish balance without hands. Once this is established, it is easier to train the hands stiller. Pop him a little balance strap from D to D which he can hold to begin with, then do one hand at a time until he can manage 2 together for a few strides. Build it up bit by bit.

Agree with above idea to help.

[Jessica]

I know excatly how your son feels. I have hypomobility in my hips, which also affects my legs and back. You do get strong as you get older, i have at now 21. But i think lunge lessons would be good. I find canter hard. Trying to asorb it as my hips move to far and i feel left behind. Good luck, hope you find a solution soon

[brt]

40 plus years ago when i was taught to ride, if we had wobbly hands my instructor would take my reins away and get me to either ride with them on my hips or on my head. He would do the whole lesson on a leadrope and did that for a few weeks.
It was to stop me using my reins to balance myself and soon my balance came from my body and not my hands.
Worked a treat and in my riding days i could happily lose a rein over a jump and not be affected in any way.
Good luck !!

[gillwales]

meetmehalfway how is your son doing? Have you found anything that helps?

Would love to see a photo of your little boy and his pony

[BSH]

Tie a piece of bailer string between the front D's on the saddle loose enough for him to tuck his thumbs under like a balance strap.

[gillwales]

when you are choosing a pony for a little one who needs a bit more support you need to be very picky, if there are issues re ears and your son's hand movements then maybe look elsewhere, that is no reflections on either the pony or your son.

You are quite right not to make an issue of it, and it will be slow progress, however the progress that is made will be huge in terms of his life in general.

Carry on having heaps of fun x, ps where are you?

[mara]

How about trying squats off the pony - he'll have to learn to balance himself without anything to assist him - they can be done in exactly the same way as on the pony - hands on head, shoulders, hips, outstretched etc. It will also help strenthen the muscles and there can be no 'cheating' as there's nothing to support him.

You could also make up a horse's head - doesn't have to be fancy - just a cross bar of wood that you can wedge somewhere or even off a field gate (I'm thinking indoors though to encourage regular use) but use a pair of spare reins, tied to string - string goes through 2 pulleys & then has a weight on the end - that way you can get the core posture & steady hands without upsetting the pony - the weights going up & down are an instant visible aid to the rider that the contact isn't quite consistent.

I have a hyper mobility child too - you may also find that your son needs to go to a podiatrist to check for correct alignment through the feet - he may roll inwards or generally walk awkwardly and benefit from orthotic inserts, even for riding. Wedged treads or the offset eyed stirrup irons can also help with incorrect foot alignment.

I would also consider the saddle he's using - so many saddles are badly designed, particularly the showing saddles & make it very hard to get the lower leg into the correct, stable position. Is the saddle balanced from front to back - with a small child sometimes lifting the saddle at the rear can offset a poorly set stirrup bar because it places the child slightly further forward on the saddle.

[Mum, skivvy, groom, driver]

Thanks that's great advice, we have bought him a twisty exercise thing to build up his strength! He has worn insoles for years but must admit he doesn't wear them when riding!

[mara]

Mar 24, 2013 16:21:12 GMT Mum, skivvy, groom, driver said:

Thanks that's great advice, we have bought him a twisty exercise thing to build up his strength! He has worn insoles for years but must admit he doesn't wear them when riding!

I would also check his boots are the correct size - not easy with joddy boots but I find when I wear my ariat bromont short boots which are a size too big to allow for winter socks that I get really tired feet & if I do too much I get plantar fasciitis because the footbed isn't supporting me properly - it's the only pair of boots I have trouble with - other ariat boots are 100% comfortable.

I don't think they look as smart as a traditional joddy boot but I would consider boots with zips front or back to allow for the orthotics & giving him sufficient room to get his foot in & out (if he's like my son socks & shoes equal major trauma!). Getting orthotics into boots is a feat in itself as well.

Is he seeing an OT therapist at all? They may also be able to suggest good exercises - the physio 'lozenge' or peanuts can be useful & more stable than a physio ball.

I take it the pony's not too wide for his immature hips? Having to stretch around a well barrelled pony can make it hard to get stability as well - gently stretching over the phyio lozenge should help, as will slow steady work without stirrups on the lunge. You will need to keep the pace down so that he feels he can just sit there without tensing or gripping - give him a balance strap for security.

I must admit I gave up with my hyper m son - he wasn't overly interested in the ponies & it offended me to see him sit like a sack of potatoes. Self carriage is important in people as well as ponies - we've still got a long way to go ;D

[nia2311]

I have found it hard to fit orthotics into joddy boots. My son used zipped back ones to get his in, and I only ride in my Toggi canyons at the mo, as I can get my insoles in them no problem!

[mara]

Apr 7, 2013 16:37:33 GMT nia2311 said:

I have found it hard to fit orthotics into joddy boots. My son used zipped back ones to get his in, and I only ride in my Toggi canyons at the mo, as I can get my insoles in them no problem!

Do you use full length or the 3/4 length orthotics? Depending on what your orthotics are for you can often cut them down or cut down the inner soles that come with shoes/boots & tape them together on the underside.

I have to faff about with rugy boots which are only marginally easier than joddy boots!