06/11/2025
Fully agree, well said.... Here's something to think about when you ride people! "Hold hands" with your horse friend to have a better connection.
🖐 Let's discuss riders' hands
Ultimately, would I be doing my job if I saw a client with bad or hard hands and didn't try to help them understand?
👍 The riders hands influence so much of what pressure points the horse will tolerate.
For example, if a rider is clinging on for dear life, gripping the reins with the breaks on constantly, then the horse will fight to go forward. It will open its mouth with bar, palate, and tongue pressure. It will get its tongue over anything with tongue pressure. The head will react upwards or downwards just to get away from the constant pressure.
🙌 If you want your horse to be consistent down the rein, then the rider has to be too.
🫶 A riders hands should be relaxed, squeezing the reins, maintaining a consistent, soft, and elastic contact through flexible elbows. Communication should be subtle and kind.
✊️I see so many riders with hands that block through the rein, grip on, and pull harshly back with the rein.
I understand that if the horse is reacting to pressure, then the rider will react back. It's only natural. But we need to stop and think. If you are jabbing them with an uncomfortable bit, then it may not aid you in your relationship with the horse.
👎 I mostly see hard hands from riders who are panicking, out of balance, or lax.
Typically, bad hands are a symptom of other problems, and it's usually core stability.
🐴 But of course, the horse is reacting to pressure. If they dont like those pressure points, then what can you do about it.
💪 This is where we as bit fitters come in. We can help your horse maintain a less resistive contact with you as a rider. This is why we ask for the regular rider to ride and not someone else. We can help reduce that fight and argument by making your horse more comfortable so that they can hear your rein aids and maintain a better contact. But we can only do so much, of course, like anything you have to play your part too.
🐴 Next time you ride, take time to think about your hands. There's so many ways you can improve them. We dont all have perfect hands!
🤲 For the people about to comment, it's not the bit it's always the riders hands. I dont agree. If the horse doesn't like the pressure points, then you can't expect them to go forward correctly with the best of hands.
Would you walk around with uncomfortable shoes all the time and have to change the way you walk? No, we would change the shoes. The same goes with the bit. More comfort = a happy horse and rider.
🤝 In conclusion, both the bit and the riders hands have to work together for a harmonious ride and a happy horse.
