Ask The Trainer

Why do some trainers have their students ride with their hands down low and wide. I thought you should be able to draw a straight line from elbow to bit?

Although I can't speak for all trainers, some trainers do teach a very low hand position to beginner students as a way of counteracting the natural tendency of many people to raise the hands and arms to chest level for better balance when they feel unstable. It's common for beginners to raise the hands high, what trainers call "floating" hands, which then leads to a student using the reins for balance. A low hand position makes balancing with the reins nearly impossible. The wide rein position is for the protection of the horse. A beginner rider that tugs the rein wide (a leading rein) is less likely to cause the horse discomfort, and it is easier for a horse to interpret. Using a direct rein while maintaining contact requires the rider to have steady, soft hands and a secure seat, something most beginners lack.

It should be noted, however, that when using these techniques, the instructor should watch closely for signs of greater security and stability in the rider and adjust the rider's hands to a more refined position as the rider progresses. It is to be considered an error on the instructors part to allow this "low and wide" hand position to remain past the beginning stages of riding

Laura Martlock - 2004 (c)

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