LESS Hand - The Key to Good Riding!

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How are your hands? Would you describe them as weak? This video will explain why it's best if they ARE!
(FULL DESCRIPTION AFTER LINKS)
#WeakHands #DoYouHaveWeakHands #RideWithYourSeat
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In general, we think of “weakness” as a traditionally negative trait. However, when it comes to riding horses, we should all be ASPIRING to have weak hands! Yes, that’s right, we WANT weak hands because we want the majority of the work to be done by our legs and seat. My inspiration for this came from something Isabel Werth said to her students and I thought it was a great way of reframing the idea so wanted to share it with you guys! (Thanks Isabel!)
The time when we are psychologically the most reliant on our hands is of course in downward transitions. Unfortunately, we often learn in our early riding days to slow down with the rein first, but as you get more advanced, you learn to use your seat. So let me show you how to execute a downward transition using “weak hands”.
Firstly, you should use the gentle feel of your hands to experiment with just how little feel you need on the bit to administer an aid. You’ll be surprised how often your horse will actually listen to the lightest of touch!
When coming from the trot into a walk, instead of going straight for the rein, try this:
Pull your tummy in, put your horse in slight shoulder fore, sit up and back and give a half halt, and another one until the horse makes the downward transition.
Some things for you to think about:
Think about your body position, sitting up and back, and closing your thighs
Use your voice. Instead of going straight for the rein to half-halt, if the weight aids aren’t working, ask with your voice first.
Think about doing smaller and weaker half-halts than you might usually do instead of a bigger one. Very small and gentle and repeat if necessary until they get the message.
This applies not just to downward transitions but also to turning. Instead of pulling on the inside rein to turn try this.
Look in the direction you want to turn
Turn your body in the direction you want to turn
Step a little more weight on the inside stirrup
Put your outside leg behind the girth
Think about the top-level riders that you see. Their hands seem to stay completely still because they are doing all the communicating with their legs and seat!
Have a look at this video where I demonstrate this with Leo and if you find it helpful, please share it and let me know in the comments!
Thanks for watching!

[@danw6014]

My teacher often said to ride like you have blisters on your fingers. Also he said softness really comes from your heart and not your hands. There is a big difference in having to get firm and being hard. Great video.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Thanks for sharing!!

[@suzannahkolbeck6973]

Love this.

[@luciemarinov129]

Love the comment from ur trainer that said soft ness in ur hand really comes from the heart, ❤I’ll remember that because I have to work on softness and yet keeping contact. And not getting annoyed when things aren’t going right ❤

[@hanasawyer1194]

I had a mare years ago that disliked mouth contact and I had to learn to ride her with almost no hands, using stomach muscles, back muscles, and legs. At the time, I didn't realize how important her training was for me. She was my best teacher.

[@poppileepopp]

Though I have finally reached a point where I already understand this concept (after a lot of trial and error), refreshers like this video are always a must. Thank you Amelia - you have been my virtual riding coach for quite some time now and I’d love to train with you one day!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Free mini course on Rider Position: www.amelianewcombdressage.com/free-rider-position-mini-course-o/

[@GloriaKoenigsberger]

Very helpful! Thank you!

[@cindymccahon4585]

This is an amazing video. I recently put an “oh crap” strap on my saddle after watching another of your videos on steady hands. It’s so nice to use it particularly for my outside rein and has helped greatly. This video is the perfect compliment to it. Thank you again 😊

[@julias2545]

love this video, i have been many many times told that i'm 'too weak' for certain horses because i can't stop them if they take off with me or force them onto the bit. i am strongly against forcing the horse into an outline and a horse will always be stronger than a human - if it's taking off with its rider then that should be addressed in another way other than just pulling with all your strength on the reins! unfortunately this is a very traditional school of riding that many places in England still go by.

[@muratkezlev]

Excellent advice

[@celiaallpress5010]

I like the title "weak hands". It's taken me years to not over use my hand......it can be a toughie! Another great video. Thanks :)

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

You're welcome!

[@silky2204]

Good video. I never pull on the mouth.

[@susanhoskins6457]

Thank you for the beautiful demonstration! I do feel a difference when I practice doing more with my body and less with my hands.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

You're so welcome!

[@fatima8798]

Amazing Video, it is very useful for me as endurance horse rider to, love you Amelia❤

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

yes! Dressage is good for all disciplines and horses

[@barbarabowman2850]

So glad I watched this. I always have struggled with contact. The typical description is hold the reins like a baby bird which didn't seem to help but the weak hand description really worked. Tried it this morning with my young horse who tends to pull and I pull back. It was extremely effective moving, especially the downward aid, from the hand to the seat. Can't wait to try again tomorrow. Thanks Amelia.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

That makes me so happy to hear Barbara! Thank you for sharing.

[@luciemarinov129]

😢😅

[@luciemarinov129]

Awesome video thanks so much, previous faces are a mistake, sorry!

[@juliewestervelt5977]

My trainer showed me a great exercise to help quiet my hands by riding while bridging the reins in all 3 gaits. It really helps stop me from fidgeting and losing contact with the bit and surprisingly effective in getting me more grounded in my seat and in a better body position which translates to better balance in the horse.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Yes! Bridging is a great way to prevent excess figiting or wide hands :)

[@Lynne2106]

Cool lighting in the fog. Thanks for another really helpful video.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Glad it was helpful!

[@louisedownes4512]

Thankyou Amelia, great video, x🤗💕🐴

[@carynfraser5509]

Thanks for another great video ❤️

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Thanks!

[@paulinafranchini1908]

Good reminder! Love how you present it

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Thanks so much!

[@cindymccahon4585]

11:15 love this video

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

me too!!! Thanks!

[@superrajraj]

It would be great if you told us what breed of horse you are riding. They are all so beautiful and carry themselves differently. Your videos are the best, so grateful for your content.

[@joelbailey1595]

Thanks Amelia

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Anytime!

[@jlg9363]

Look at that pleasant horse. ❤️ Awesome video. My hands are my biggest downfall. I also struggle with staying in a good spot on my saddle. I feel like i have to readjust where my butt is in the saddle a lot. I don’t think I’m getting correct calorie burn for my seat.

[@moni6290]

I struggle with the right balance between hands too tight and hands too soft. My horse tends to let me "carry" her head and I lose a bit of the reins. As a result I have my hands quite tight. That makes me feel bad and the horse doesn't like it at all. I know I have do get her hindquarters activated but that's sth we still have to work on.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Try some groundwork to get her connecting the inside hind to the leg!

[@britneysilveria4820]

I think we may need to include what muscles we are using to accomplish half halts and downward transitions, basically the how and why we are able to use weak/light hsnds in the half hslts and downward transitions- for example the upper leg... how is it used and when 😊 I was helping a friend who has been riding dressage, trained her horse into Second Level and has never thought about using her upper leg (hips - knee). It was a new concept to her... though she's been taking lessons and clinics for a number of years...

[@britneysilveria4820]

THANK YOU btw for all your helpful videos and sharing your expertise with us!! ❤

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Great comment! Check out this video on aids for half halt: amelianewcombdressage.com/dressage-training/how-to-half-halt-from-your-thighs-and-seat/

[@britneysilveria4820]

Thank You So Much!! ❤

[@ty7jacare]

What about posting trot to walk transition?

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

These principals apply to all downward transitions!

[@lorettapiscopo6882]

Amelia, can you explain squeezing reins or using wrists - are you using all fingers or only one finger? When to use and why? Perhaps you have a video on this topic already.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

This video will help you! kzbin.info/www/bejne/goqXZayrbr50eNU

[@helenmcinerney1]

Great video, thank you. If you could do one on use of core that would be really helpful ❤

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Great suggestion! I have a few videos that might help. Here is one that you might like: amelianewcombdressage.com/dressage-training/which-muscles-should-you-use-for-riding/ Also search for "find your center" in my Dressage Tips section on my website!

[@helenmcinerney1]

@@AmeliaNewcombDressage thank you 😊

[@helenmcinerney1]

Thank you for letting me know about this. So when you're riding are you engaging your glut med and transverse abdominal muscles most of the time ?

[@Roothy]

I too have trouble with using my hands too much. I have a German riding pony who is young, and I am trying to teach her to collect at the canter. We are doing first level and then the first level to test one have to write a 15 m circle and then do a canter . lengthening and then bring it back to work in canter. She’s getting the lengthening down, but bringing her back to working counter is really hard and I am so tempted to resort to very assertive half halts which I know I shouldn’t. Help!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Give yourself more time to change the gait, and remember not to ask for TOO much lengthen at first level...show a change but don't all for all your horse can give until she is strong enough to collect it back!

[@Roothy]

@@AmeliaNewcombDressage thank you for taking the time to respond. So enjoy your great instruction!!

[@ellenagler4941]

What if your horse won’t stand still at the mounting block? She often circles the mounting block while I’m trying to mount, and I sometimes feel like I barely have a few seconds of her still to get on and then she’s walking off! I haven’t yet figured out a way to break her of this habit.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Check out this video! Stay safe! kzbin.info/www/bejne/jIamk3h_pZ6roas

[@bobobobobo2877]

Foggy !

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

a bit!