Hello friends! Today I want to talk about how to hold your reins for a softer hand.
Does your instructor say you pull too much? To soften your hand? Have more of an elastic contact? Give to your horse?
Time to use the driving hold on the rein to improve your elastic contact and create softness through your arm and hand.
Shown in the video you want to flip your hand over on the reins to that your thumb points down the end of the rein toward the bit instead of towards the buckle. The way it works is it softens your wrist and forearm and makes it much harder to pull and brace against the reins.
This is also helpful in developing an automatic release over fences as well. Use this tip at the walk, trot, canter, and over fences!