09/09/2026
Do your hands bounce up and down?
Often the problem isn’t actually in the hands, it starts with too much stiffness in the arms, especially in sitting trot.
When the rider braces through the shoulders and arms, the movement of the horse’s back has nowhere to go, and that tension can travel all the way down to the reins and the horse’s mouth.
Instead, think about keeping your elbows comfortably bent and your upper arms resting close to your torso. The goal isn’t to hold the arms rigidly in place, but to keep them soft enough that your hands can remain steady while your body follows the horse’s movement.
The problem isn’t what we see in front of us but often starts somewhere else. Instead of focusing on the visible issue , take a moment to consider where the solution may be, that makes it much easier to fix!
