Its only taken 30yrs for someone to explain this to me in a way that i can understand! I have managed to get my horse on the bit today and its the best feeling ever. Thank you so so much 💗
How to 'release' when your horse is heavy was really good one! Also keeping upper arms as part of your torso was something that I realized now! Thank You!
As a new rider, these videos are so extremely helpful to me, I always struggle being a bit more tough in my hands as I am afraid I would hurt the horse, which causes the horses to test what they can do with me alot. But now after watching this video I know I need to have an even length in the reins on both sides while not bothering the horse by bugging them in the mouth, least I want is to hurt the horse thats so amazing teaching a new rider which I know can be extremely difficult and bothersome for the horse as we tend to bounce alot learning to follow the rythm of said horse. I personally am learning on a beautiful pachy tricolored mare called Snout and I absolutely adore her. I was terrified of going into canter however she is so comfortable yet quick in her canter that it feels so easy to control my balance and follow her rythm... My first lesson on her made me feel so confident, however she would test me alot in what she could do, walking towards my instructor while I was trying my best to move her back on the ride path. I have been getting better at it, however I could never get her to listen to me properly and right away as I didnt realize my reins were not straight and I was trying to use the reins to balance myself more, huge mistake as the balance really should be in the legs and body. Thank you for this video. my next lesson (Friday) I am definately gonna ask my instructor if we can practise this more. My biggest dream is to start eventing when I gain the confidence and experience, I never had the money to have riding lessons hence I started riding at the age of 24, so hopefully I get to follow my dream in the future. -Thanks again and amazing video!
This was life changing for me. I have watched dozens of "Get your horse on the bit" videos, my trainer has worked with me almost a year now and Ive ridden H/J for 30 years but I just never have been able to grasp the concept of how to achieve this connection with my horse. The end of this video when she explains that your lower arms should be flexible and your upper arms are part of your thorax is what finally made my light bulb go off. I have been told repeatedly to put my elbows at my body and keep them there but then turn around five mins later and am being told Im too stiff. And then I lean forward and straighten my elbows to "give" and "follow" It never made sense until now. Now I understand the flexibility and elasticity of my lower arms as a separate entity from the rest of my arms. It makes so much sense Im embarrassed how long it took me to understand it. Thank you Alicia for explaining it in a way that made me understand. I rode my horse this morning and for the first time in my entire 30 year riding career my horse and I achieved connection, I felt it, was able to maintain it and rode WTC and my horse was even "on the bit" I think he is relieved. He was so much more relaxed and actually accepting the contact and soft in the bridle vs his usual head in the air and pulling on me. I am so grateful to Your Riding Success helping me and my horse become a success!
Thank you so much for sharing your journey with us!! So glad to be able to help you in your riding!! We can't wait to hear more about your progress soon! x
Wow! Such an amazing video! Love of simple you made everything so it was SUPER easy to understand! Me and my trainer have been working with a OTTB together and whenever I get on I really have to work hard to keep him on the bit, but as soon as my trainer gets on, he stays pretty consistent. I always feel like I am doing the right thing but somehow it just doesn't work like when my trainer rides. This is why I LOVE your videos, they are so helpful! My biggest takeaways from the video are 1. Keep the balance even, 2. how to keep contact even when steering, 3. don't allow your evenness to be influenced by the horse, 4. Just let go with a heave horse, and 5. Let your lover arm be floppy and upper arm is "part of torso" , don't let you elbows fall out. Thank you so much for the amazing video! I will have you know I keep a notebook full of all my takeaways from your videos and review them before I ride. That's how helpful your videos are to me! Thank you for sharing you knowledge with all of us!
Perfect! So glad you learned so much from the videos and that you're finding them super helpful for you!! We can't wait to hear more about your progress!!
Yet another fantastic break down of how to correct our common faults. The upper arm/torso is 💡moment. Of course it makes so much sense, when you explain/show us. Thank you, it's a privilege having your "lessons" to help me ride better for my horse. ❤
This is so timely for me! I’ve honestly thought about quitting my riding lessons b/c I feel like my trainer says the same thing every lesson…”you need to develop a steady contact, it comes from your seat not your hands”. This video has given me a clear understanding of what role my reins play into the quest for contact. Loved the demo of floppy hands and thinking about your elbows as part of your torso. You have inspired me to go to my next lesson. Thank you!💕🐴
This is so timely because the judge commented on my flappy elbows at the show last weekend. This helps me to see how my elbows can be quiet while still being able to move with my horse.
This has changed my contact tremendously. I was always loose on the right and heavy on the left. Now I'm light on both connected, train tracks are developing, and she is much happier. Thank you so much.
I am guilty for giving with my arms which is why I've struggled to control my boy's shoulders as well as him staying consistent on the bit! Yet when I get it right the results are amazing, it's my consistency that is the problem and not my horse. Thankyou so much Alicia for making it so easy to understand 💥👍❤❤❤
I love how you explain keeping your hands balanced and your lower loose. I will be giving this a try tomorrow morning! Thanks for all the wonderful tips!
I never had an instructor growing up and I've been away for horses for 15 years. I just got my rescue 2 months ago and we had our 1st ride last Friday! He's still underweight and I'm still overweight, but it was short and productive. I kept my arm close to my body, and didn't really know why. Now I do! I'll have to work on losing my forearms and not pulling back when he gets heavy. Thank you for this great information!
As someone who has just got back into riding this was a great video thank you for sharing. Keeping my upper arm as part of my torso and lower are loose with your demonstration makes it very clear why it works. Every day is a learning day. Thank you
Love this kind of reactive teaching where the rider learns from feel but off of the horse where they can get the verbal feedback they need in order to not only know HOW but WHY!
This video, plus the earlier one with Mowgley, have been my “go to lessons” for me and my horse! They really demonstrate how keeping the hands even (GP hands) with a constant “rein length” encourage a horse to remain connected and “on the bit” due to a consistent contact. So simple yet so often unexplained to us Amateurs riding green or young horses. Now we’re really making progress! 😊👍🐴 Thank You Alicia & Harlow! 💕
You know you have to do a part 2 now where you teach Harlow while she rides Popcorn. 😀 But seriously, another great teaching. I love the upper arms almost being part of my torso. I do have to work on floppy lower arms. Thank you Alicia!
@@YourRidingSuccesshy did you teach Harlow to seesaw? Only asking because you are teaching a lot of people and they are abusive methods. Don’t take this as hate but you should stop because Harlow got a lot of hate for it I am feel really bad for her now she has stopped and got a new trainer
@@Star_Stable_Girl she didn't seesaw in this video, she was only telling her how to keep a stable contact, also it's the oppesite of what they were doing if you seesaw you take one rein and then the other and that's not a stable contact, the other part that she was wiggly with her hands was to show her that's where she can and has to stay soft. but I do see how people could misunderstand that and I do prefer when people talk more about the seat than the hands as children usually misunderstand what to do with the reins ...
This is brilliant way of teaching! I wish I had similar riding teacher when I was younger... getting back to basics, that's what I have to do. And keep this lesson on my mind while I ride!
Tried the "one rein" concept today and it made a HUGE difference. We still have lots of work to do but the new way of thinking helped so.much. Thank you!
Love how you take this very complex issue and start with what the rider needs to learn so the horse can gain trust and learn correct movement.. the contact follows the function initially, but as the horse learns, you can still use this as the horse works through the bit issue. What I liked best was how the upper arm must stay anchored at your side so they and you back become one unit to absorb and keep contact without pulling yourself.
I’ve learned two things! One, it answered my question about what to do with my arms and hands to keep my horse balanced and wanting the contact-i didn’t realize how completely awful my contact gets when I’m trying to “give.” And two, that my forearms so get quite tense when I’m trying not to move them. That heavy horse letting go thing was the answer to my question that you answered in one of your earliest videos! And it has completely FIXED the problem! Thank you!!! ❤️❤️❤️
What a brilliant method Alicia. I will be able to help my 8 yo granddaughter using this, even inside the house when it's raining. You've made it so clear for little people to understand. And big people too. Thanks heaps! x Linda.
I wish every instructor took the time to explain things as well. so much confusion would be stopped! Visually much clearer with the rein contact. Im terrible with giving away my outside contact and this video has shown me exactly the problem with that! Another epic video, off outside to practice on my unicorn now! Thanks again! xx
Alicia,how many trainers tell this, how to keep the horse on the bit, to their riders so simply and show precise examples? It is wonderful to know keeping your reins and hands even that we can keep the connection with our horse on the bit. Then all that is left is to train our minds constantly on where our hands are until it becomes natural! WOW! AWESOME!
This has really helped. I have days when my horse is on the bit and doing well. Other rides no where near on the bit. After watching this. I paused and went back to watch videos of me riding. With your explanation I can see where I was the difference between those rides. I will be practice this lesson and strive to be more consistent with even pressure on the rein. Thank you so much
Very educational to know I have to keep my hands still , with finger plays, and elbows bent and at my side, no matter what the horse does to keep him/her on the bit. Thanks again so much!
Thanks so much ! I love that teaching that the arms / upper body are 'one' and work together to stablise everything and the 'floppy arms' .. I really want to to work on feeling that.
Thank you so much for sharing your biggest takeaway from this video! We can't wait to hear how it goes for you when you try this technique on your next ride x
before i used to use my forearm to get the horse in the bit (didnt work) but now with this explanation i know that i need to use my upper arm! thank you alicia and harlow for explaining it so well
Keeping the forearms loose has made all the difference in my riding. All of a sudden my horse is willing to take the contact because he isn't getting bumped with every rise in the trot! Hard to remember sometimes for me, but Alicia's voice is always in the back of my head!
WOW light bulb moment!!! I have struggled with this for sooo long! Now I am weeks away from riding my horse again after colic surgery I will start my riding with everything you have said in this video. Thank you Alicia x
I love how much these build on each other. The thought about having only one rein is an important take away for me. The other day I was riding and knew for a fact I did not have my horse on the train tracks. The thought of one rein and using counter bend to straighten the horse out was such a lightbulb moment for me!
@@YourRidingSuccess I tried it today! The horse that I rode felt the best he’s been in a long time! Even tempo, very responsive, on the bit for most of the ride. Thank you thank you!
Great examples with the reins around your back. Keeping your upper arms as part of the torso the evenous in your hands to maintain the contact. Excellent!
After all these years I finally understand SHORT REINS My mare likes light hands so I give to much rein ,and when she gets heavy in rein I sadly pull her off ,now I will GIVE And RETAKE, thank you x
I’ve been riding for years and just learned a whole new way to use my upper arms and floppy lower arms! I’m so excited to teach this to my granddaughter, too!
When I applied the principles from this video to my ride last night I finally GOT It!! I’m gutted I didn’t get this eight years ago when I first returned to riding. I love the way you make things so understandable. I have one happy horse now too who responded well to having a steady contact. 🎉 Awesome😊
Omg. That’s the answer I was looking for! My mare was a harness race horse and is so used to hanging on the bit. It turns into a pulling match. I know it takes 2 to pull, but don’t know why it never occurred to let go. And using balanced hands when turning…mind blown 🤯
This has been brilliant. I now understand about the use of the my hands and how that can affect the horse’s behaviour. Will put it into practice next time I have a horse.
Elbows in is the thing I struggle with most! I have a showjumping mare who is very spooky , hollow and heavy and then have a young horse who is the complete opposite soft self carriage rounded. You’re right, I need to remember to keep elbows in to allow that consistent contact so that there is a better connection overall. It’s so simple and something that when you say it sounds so easy but it’s very easy to get into habits that are hard to break. As always thank you all these little nuggets are invaluable when it comes to improving me as a rider and my horses education.
Wow. I really got a deeper understanding of the one-rein concept from this video! I had heard the analogy a couple times, but I never really got it. This demonstration of keeping the reins balanced and even really helped the light bulb light up! Can't wait to try it out during my ride tomorrow 🙌🏼
It’s really neat to think that moving with the horse even in an jumpy seat you can still keep a positive connection. I always thought a bumpy rider shouldn’t always keep contact for chance of ruining the horses. But I like seeing that we can help teach them longer to work on keeping control of the contact in a positive way. Also I thought it was interesting to learn to keep our hands even while turning as well too.
Alicia has such an incredible knack for explaining the basics in an engaging and easy to understand way. I now know what I have to work on for my horse's benefit, which is keeping my hands even so the reins maintain a steady contact with his mouth. I'm going to be working super hard on keeping my upper arms as part of my torso and my lower arms more supple!
OH my gosh! 🤯 the fact that I don't have to be "perfect" but still get the job done was a huge brain explosion for me. Really enforces the fact that you don't go from entry levels to grand prix instantly; there is a progression. And if you can get the progression right your still going to accomplish your goals! Floppy arms, the bane of my existence ! I need to work on that so much! I almost need to Velcro my upper arms to my torso! 🤣
Excellent description of how to keep your forearm from tensing up but keeping your upper arm against your body! Thanks for asking the question Harlowe!!
the video is once again such a revelation for me. I tend to get too rigid with my forearm, but I never thought of seeing my upper arm as part of my torso. I will take this and the steady hands to heart the next time I ride
Always have been told that at sitting trot I tend to move my hands up and down, but now I will concentrate in keeping reins with contact and upper arms firm with my torso. Can't wait to try this out!
This was so helpful. I can never getm my horsen on the bit and you explain everything so well! And it makes it easier to understand. I have a habbit of letting my reins flop around on all different lengths. So when you explained that you had to keep the balance it made sense why I struggle to keep him on the bit.
Absolutely this is helpful, since I started thinking about my reins as one piece and that I had to keep my hand even I started turning with my outside rein more which really helped me and my horse, both getting on the bit but also staying on the train tracks. Super fun learning from you both!
my horse puts her head down very often and i fall over but this lesson rely helped me with contact and not falling over .thank you so much xoxox always helpful byyy ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Thank you so much! It’s amazing having two of my fav RUclipsrs in 1 vid! I learnt to keep your upper arm tense while your lower arm is floppy and to keep your hands level! Tysm again!!!
Biggest takeaway is to fuse upper arm to the torso and keep the lower arms floppy. My instructor tells me I have soft hands but I also have issues with loose elbows. Something to focus on tomorrow! Thank you, Alicia 💖
The rein demo was so good. You forget how important it is to “ride like tinker bell” (lightly) as well as the importance your stable rein has to be to get the result you want “a horse on the bit”🐎
I learned everything from this video!! Because I haven’t ridden a horse in a very long time!!!!! But I want to start again!!! Soooo thank you very very much!!!! 😊😊😊😊
Learned so much in this one. However, the biggest takeaway for me personally, as I'm always worried about my horse, would be that it's almost more kind to keep constant contact as opposed to inconsistent contact. Thank you for this!
This was super helpful for me. I can struggle to get my horse on the bit. I haven’t looked at needing to keep my upper arm solid and a part of my torso. I need to pay more attention to my arms and work on keeping my hands even. This was great. Thanks so much!!
This was so helpful! Thank you so much! I don’t like the idea of forcing my horse’s head down or pulling on his mouth, but the way you explained contact seems more supportive and steady than forceful. Your demonstration showed me how to balance the horse and that I’m not doing any favors by letting the reins slack and then pulling.
I love this level of explanation! The way you broke it down for her was awesome( and me )! I put it into action today and what I learned is an even rein is not always an even contact! I was obsessed with maintaining an even rein length and hand position but I lacked an even connection. My horse tends to be heavy in my right and light to non existent on my left. I played around and was able to find him on my left rein by opening the left rein and giving the right a little. It was a game a of give and take to keep that connection but he eventually became steady and evenly connected!
Oh my god, this makes so much sense!! I struggle to get the horse on the bit and end up with almost straight arms and look like I’m riding a motorbike!! Thank you x
I couldn’t thank you enough!! I’m only 13 and never tried having a horse on the bit but watching this video im not gonna lie but but it worked on my 8y old lesson horse im riding!!❤ thank you so much for this it’s such a relief that I have figured out this channel cuz i didn’t feel like I learned much in my dressage lessons but this video really helped me alot and I also watched a video about how to stay still in the canter and I cannot wait to try using the method!!😊 Thank you soo much.
That was so clear and useful, especially heavy horses. It reminds me of the lessons where you ride with a crop between your elbows and across your back, making as you say your upper arms part of your torso but keeping your forearms and hands supple. Thankyou so much!
Thank you so much. This video was so helpful. The part about horses leaning on the reins and keeping your upper arms strong and forearms soft was fantastic.
Thankyou the video I learnt so much how to keep your elbows near your body from elbow to hand relax do not lose the rains when go into the circle because he lose balance to keep him on bit can't wait for next one.
My biggest learning was about keeping the hands even so the contact is even and also reminding me to keep my upper arms with the torso. Thanks Alicia & Harlow!
Really good explanation of where your elbows should be and keep your hands from clenching on a heavy pulling horse. I have short arms (I'm a short person) and have a tough time keeping my elbows at my side without letting my reins get too long.
Thank you for this video I found it very informative. The best part for me was the steadiness of the hands. I have constantly struggled for years to have my horse on the bit my daughter can do it no problem. I like it when I ride in the rain because my horse then goes on the bit and in an outline 😊 I know it’s because of the rain but I pretend. Now I can’t wait to have a try. Also the upper arms being part of the torso. I was always told not to put them against your side to ensure you can move your elbows back quickly if necessary. I haven’t really thought about the reigns as being 1 or 2 as I view them as one piece. Thank you again 🙏
I got on a horse the first time and was so easy as I did parkour and martial arts. Broke my back and neck. Now I am stiff. Still hold onto my horse as I trot. But am not giving up. This video helps a lot to understand what I just did previously.
Brilliant coaching! Tried keeping my upper arms “anchored” with “floppy” lower arms -what a huge difference in my young mare’s willingness to be on the bit. Thank you from both of us! 💕
I just joined the dressage mastery academy and I've already learned so much! I've struggling with keeping my horse on the bit and doing stretchy circles, but just seeing this demonstration really helped me to see some of the things I'm really not doing quite right and how I could improve a bit! Thank you guys so much!
YAY!! LOVE that you're finding the videos super helpful and that the techniques are working well for you!! We'd love to hear more about your progress! x
Can't wait to try this on my horse! Thank you for demystyfying one of the greatest riding mysteries!! Learnt so much: thinking of one single rein not two and keeping the two sides even no matter what, keeping the hands and wrists soft and upper arms and back strong. Letting go when the horses gets heavy - All this is so simple but no one explains it! Going to my hirse now to put into practice!
this is going to help me so much i have wanting to do this but never understand it but now i understand everything it is all about keeping it equal and a stable contact thank you :)
This message can never be heard too many times. I feel like I am learning it for the first time every time. Sometimes your riding goals and achievements progress and you let the basics slip or forget how applying them correctly will help so much. Thank you PS: Cuteness overload with you and Harlow
Thank you so much for this video! I have been struggling with this for a long time now, and this video has helped me out so much! I’ve learnt to keep even pressure on both reigns in this video, and also that we only have one reign! I definitely did not know that! :)
Its only taken 30yrs for someone to explain this to me in a way that i can understand! I have managed to get my horse on the bit today and its the best feeling ever. Thank you so so much 💗
WOW!! Super amazing!! Glad the technique worked for you!! x
How to 'release' when your horse is heavy was really good one! Also keeping upper arms as part of your torso was something that I realized now! Thank You!
Thank you so much for sharing your takeaways from this video! x
As a new rider, these videos are so extremely helpful to me, I always struggle being a bit more tough in my hands as I am afraid I would hurt the horse, which causes the horses to test what they can do with me alot. But now after watching this video I know I need to have an even length in the reins on both sides while not bothering the horse by bugging them in the mouth, least I want is to hurt the horse thats so amazing teaching a new rider which I know can be extremely difficult and bothersome for the horse as we tend to bounce alot learning to follow the rythm of said horse. I personally am learning on a beautiful pachy tricolored mare called Snout and I absolutely adore her. I was terrified of going into canter however she is so comfortable yet quick in her canter that it feels so easy to control my balance and follow her rythm... My first lesson on her made me feel so confident, however she would test me alot in what she could do, walking towards my instructor while I was trying my best to move her back on the ride path. I have been getting better at it, however I could never get her to listen to me properly and right away as I didnt realize my reins were not straight and I was trying to use the reins to balance myself more, huge mistake as the balance really should be in the legs and body. Thank you for this video.
my next lesson (Friday) I am definately gonna ask my instructor if we can practise this more.
My biggest dream is to start eventing when I gain the confidence and experience, I never had the money to have riding lessons hence I started riding at the age of 24, so hopefully I get to follow my dream in the future.
-Thanks again and amazing video!
Super goals!! You got this!! Tell us how you go when you try out the tips you learned when you ride.
This was life changing for me. I have watched dozens of "Get your horse on the bit" videos, my trainer has worked with me almost a year now and Ive ridden H/J for 30 years but I just never have been able to grasp the concept of how to achieve this connection with my horse. The end of this video when she explains that your lower arms should be flexible and your upper arms are part of your thorax is what finally made my light bulb go off. I have been told repeatedly to put my elbows at my body and keep them there but then turn around five mins later and am being told Im too stiff. And then I lean forward and straighten my elbows to "give" and "follow" It never made sense until now. Now I understand the flexibility and elasticity of my lower arms as a separate entity from the rest of my arms. It makes so much sense Im embarrassed how long it took me to understand it. Thank you Alicia for explaining it in a way that made me understand. I rode my horse this morning and for the first time in my entire 30 year riding career my horse and I achieved connection, I felt it, was able to maintain it and rode WTC and my horse was even "on the bit" I think he is relieved. He was so much more relaxed and actually accepting the contact and soft in the bridle vs his usual head in the air and pulling on me. I am so grateful to Your Riding Success helping me and my horse become a success!
Thank you so much for sharing your journey with us!! So glad to be able to help you in your riding!! We can't wait to hear more about your progress soon! x
Wow! Such an amazing video! Love of simple you made everything so it was SUPER easy to understand! Me and my trainer have been working with a OTTB together and whenever I get on I really have to work hard to keep him on the bit, but as soon as my trainer gets on, he stays pretty consistent. I always feel like I am doing the right thing but somehow it just doesn't work like when my trainer rides. This is why I LOVE your videos, they are so helpful! My biggest takeaways from the video are 1. Keep the balance even, 2. how to keep contact even when steering, 3. don't allow your evenness to be influenced by the horse, 4. Just let go with a heave horse, and 5. Let your lover arm be floppy and upper arm is "part of torso" , don't let you elbows fall out. Thank you so much for the amazing video! I will have you know I keep a notebook full of all my takeaways from your videos and review them before I ride. That's how helpful your videos are to me! Thank you for sharing you knowledge with all of us!
Perfect! So glad you learned so much from the videos and that you're finding them super helpful for you!! We can't wait to hear more about your progress!!
This is great. The "letting go" on a heavy horse is perfect information. The even hands is very helpful.
Glad it was helpful!
Yet another fantastic break down of how to correct our common faults.
The upper arm/torso is 💡moment. Of course it makes so much sense, when you explain/show us. Thank you, it's a privilege having your "lessons" to help me ride better for my horse. ❤
It's our pleasure to help!!
This is so timely for me! I’ve honestly thought about quitting my riding lessons b/c I feel like my trainer says the same thing every lesson…”you need to develop a steady contact, it comes from your seat not your hands”. This video has given me a clear understanding of what role my reins play into the quest for contact. Loved the demo of floppy hands and thinking about your elbows as part of your torso. You have inspired me to go to my next lesson. Thank you!💕🐴
You can do it! ❤
This is so timely because the judge commented on my flappy elbows at the show last weekend. This helps me to see how my elbows can be quiet while still being able to move with my horse.
Perfect! So glad you learned so much from this video x
I definitely need to work on not letting my reins go loopy whenever I turn. I loved this video!!! Great job!!!
YAY! So glad you enjoyed the video x
This has changed my contact tremendously. I was always loose on the right and heavy on the left. Now I'm light on both connected, train tracks are developing, and she is much happier. Thank you so much.
You are so welcome
I am guilty for giving with my arms which is why I've struggled to control my boy's shoulders as well as him staying consistent on the bit! Yet when I get it right the results are amazing, it's my consistency that is the problem and not my horse. Thankyou so much Alicia for making it so easy to understand 💥👍❤❤❤
Thanks for watching! I hope you're finding the video super helpful for you x
I love how you explain keeping your hands balanced and your lower loose. I will be giving this a try tomorrow morning! Thanks for all the wonderful tips!
Tell us how you go trying out this technique x
Thanks Alicia and Harlow. Thinking of keeping the contact as one single rein is one of the best tools and the visual demo is priceless.
YAY! Thanks for watching, so glad you enjoyed it x
I never had an instructor growing up and I've been away for horses for 15 years. I just got my rescue 2 months ago and we had our 1st ride last Friday! He's still underweight and I'm still overweight, but it was short and productive.
I kept my arm close to my body, and didn't really know why. Now I do! I'll have to work on losing my forearms and not pulling back when he gets heavy. Thank you for this great information!
YAY!! You are amazing!! We can't wait to hear more about your progress! x
As someone who has just got back into riding this was a great video thank you for sharing. Keeping my upper arm as part of my torso and lower are loose with your demonstration makes it very clear why it works. Every day is a learning day. Thank you
YAY! Thanks for watching, so glad you enjoyed it x
Love this kind of reactive teaching where the rider learns from feel but off of the horse where they can get the verbal feedback they need in order to not only know HOW but WHY!
Thanks so much Caitlin!! :)
This video, plus the earlier one with Mowgley, have been my “go to lessons” for me and my horse! They really demonstrate how keeping the hands even (GP hands) with a constant “rein length” encourage a horse to remain connected and “on the bit” due to a consistent contact. So simple yet so often unexplained to us Amateurs riding green or young horses. Now we’re really making progress! 😊👍🐴 Thank You Alicia & Harlow! 💕
So glad you enjoyed this! We can't wait to hear how it goes for you when you try this technique on your next ride x
You know you have to do a part 2 now where you teach Harlow while she rides Popcorn. 😀
But seriously, another great teaching. I love the upper arms almost being part of my torso. I do have to work on floppy lower arms. Thank you Alicia!
That's a super suggestion!! And we're so glad you enjoyed the video so much! I hope this technique works for you! Tell us about it! x
@@YourRidingSuccess can't wait for colab Harlow and popcorn .xoxo Vivian
@@YourRidingSuccesshy did you teach Harlow to seesaw? Only asking because you are teaching a lot of people and they are abusive methods. Don’t take this as hate but you should stop because Harlow got a lot of hate for it I am feel really bad for her now she has stopped and got a new trainer
@@Star_Stable_Girl she didn't seesaw in this video, she was only telling her how to keep a stable contact, also it's the oppesite of what they were doing if you seesaw you take one rein and then the other and that's not a stable contact, the other part that she was wiggly with her hands was to show her that's where she can and has to stay soft. but I do see how people could misunderstand that and I do prefer when people talk more about the seat than the hands as children usually misunderstand what to do with the reins ...
This is brilliant way of teaching! I wish I had similar riding teacher when I was younger... getting back to basics, that's what I have to do. And keep this lesson on my mind while I ride!
Love it!! Thanks, Minna! x
Tried the "one rein" concept today and it made a HUGE difference. We still have lots of work to do but the new way of thinking helped so.much. Thank you!
You got this!!!
This is incredibly helpful!!!
I done this with my OTTB and it worked a treat!!! I kept him in the bit nearly our entire ride!!!
LOVE that you're finding the videos super helpful for you x
Love how you take this very complex issue and start with what the rider needs to learn so the horse can gain trust and learn correct movement.. the contact follows the function initially, but as the horse learns, you can still use this as the horse works through the bit issue.
What I liked best was how the upper arm must stay anchored at your side so they and you back become one unit to absorb and keep contact without pulling yourself.
Perfect! So glad you learned so much from this video! Thanks for watching!!
honestly had a meltdown today trying to get my pony on the bit, hoping this will help! thank you❤
You can do it!
I’ve learned two things! One, it answered my question about what to do with my arms and hands to keep my horse balanced and wanting the contact-i didn’t realize how completely awful my contact gets when I’m trying to “give.” And two, that my forearms so get quite tense when I’m trying not to move them.
That heavy horse letting go thing was the answer to my question that you answered in one of your earliest videos! And it has completely FIXED the problem! Thank you!!! ❤️❤️❤️
Amazing! Thanks for sharing, Jennifer!! :) Love it!
This makes so much sense, the way you put from the horses perspective make it much more understandable.
YAY! So glad you enjoyed the video x
What a brilliant method Alicia. I will be able to help my 8 yo granddaughter using this, even inside the house when it's raining. You've made it so clear for little people to understand. And big people too. Thanks heaps!
x Linda.
Wonderful! Thank you!
I’ve been riding for over 40 years and have had many private lessons but this information was very useful. Thank you👍
Great to hear!
I wish every instructor took the time to explain things as well. so much confusion would be stopped! Visually much clearer with the rein contact. Im terrible with giving away my outside contact and this video has shown me exactly the problem with that! Another epic video, off outside to practice on my unicorn now! Thanks again! xx
YAY!! So glad you are enjoying the video so much x
Alicia,how many trainers tell this, how to keep the horse on the bit, to their riders so simply and show precise examples? It is wonderful to know keeping your reins and hands even that we can keep the connection with our horse on the bit. Then all that is left is to train our minds constantly on where our hands are until it becomes natural! WOW! AWESOME!
YAY! Thanks for watching, so glad you enjoyed it x
This has really helped. I have days when my horse is on the bit and doing well. Other rides no where near on the bit. After watching this. I paused and went back to watch videos of me riding. With your explanation I can see where I was the difference between those rides. I will be practice this lesson and strive to be more consistent with even pressure on the rein. Thank you so much
LOVE that you're finding this video super helpful for you x
Very educational to know I have to keep my hands still , with finger plays, and elbows bent and at my side, no matter what the horse does to keep him/her on the bit. Thanks again so much!
So glad you learned so much from this video!
Thanks so much ! I love that teaching that the arms / upper body are 'one' and work together to stablise everything and the 'floppy arms' .. I really want to to work on feeling that.
Thank you so much for sharing your biggest takeaway from this video! We can't wait to hear how it goes for you when you try this technique on your next ride x
before i used to use my forearm to get the horse in the bit (didnt work) but now with this explanation i know that i need to use my upper arm! thank you alicia and harlow for explaining it so well
LOVE it! Thank you so much for sharing what you learned from this video x
Keeping the forearms loose has made all the difference in my riding. All of a sudden my horse is willing to take the contact because he isn't getting bumped with every rise in the trot! Hard to remember sometimes for me, but Alicia's voice is always in the back of my head!
WOW!! Super amazing!! Glad the technique worked for you!! x
WOW light bulb moment!!! I have struggled with this for sooo long! Now I am weeks away from riding my horse again after colic surgery I will start my riding with everything you have said in this video. Thank you Alicia x
YAY! So glad you enjoyed the video! Tell us how you go when you try out the tips you learned when you ride.
I love how much these build on each other. The thought about having only one rein is an important take away for me. The other day I was riding and knew for a fact I did not have my horse on the train tracks. The thought of one rein and using counter bend to straighten the horse out was such a lightbulb moment for me!
Perfect! So glad you learned so much from this video! Thanks for watching!!
@@YourRidingSuccess I tried it today! The horse that I rode felt the best he’s been in a long time! Even tempo, very responsive, on the bit for most of the ride. Thank you thank you!
WOW!! Soo amazing!!
Great examples with the reins around your back. Keeping your upper arms as part of the torso the evenous in your hands to maintain the contact. Excellent!
YAY! So glad you enjoyed the video x
I've been stabilizing my upper arm. But, not all the time... Now, because of your explanation, I realize what to do! Thank you, again!
LOVE it! Glad you learned so much from this video x
Thanks for the giveaways Alicia.
I mostly learnt to perfect my canter and galloping. Thanks!
Woohoo!! Amazing!! x
After all these years I finally understand SHORT REINS My mare likes light hands so I give to much rein ,and when she gets heavy in rein I sadly pull her off ,now I will GIVE And RETAKE, thank you x
I hope this technique works for you! Tell us about it! x
I’ve been riding for years and just learned a whole new way to use my upper arms and floppy lower arms! I’m so excited to teach this to my granddaughter, too!
Super!! Love that you're learning so much from this video x
When I applied the principles from this video to my ride last night I finally GOT It!! I’m gutted I didn’t get this eight years ago when I first returned to riding. I love the way you make things so understandable. I have one happy horse now too who responded well to having a steady contact. 🎉 Awesome😊
Woohoo!! So glad the techniques have helped you a lot in your riding! x
Omg. That’s the answer I was looking for! My mare was a harness race horse and is so used to hanging on the bit. It turns into a pulling match. I know it takes 2 to pull, but don’t know why it never occurred to let go. And using balanced hands when turning…mind blown 🤯
Super!! Love that you're learning so much from this video x
This has been brilliant. I now understand about the use of the my hands and how that can affect the horse’s behaviour. Will put it into practice next time I have a horse.
Woohoo! How exciting!! Tell us how you go x
Elbows in is the thing I struggle with most! I have a showjumping mare who is very spooky , hollow and heavy and then have a young horse who is the complete opposite soft self carriage rounded. You’re right, I need to remember to keep elbows in to allow that consistent contact so that there is a better connection overall. It’s so simple and something that when you say it sounds so easy but it’s very easy to get into habits that are hard to break. As always thank you all these little nuggets are invaluable when it comes to improving me as a rider and my horses education.
So glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching x
Wow. I really got a deeper understanding of the one-rein concept from this video! I had heard the analogy a couple times, but I never really got it. This demonstration of keeping the reins balanced and even really helped the light bulb light up! Can't wait to try it out during my ride tomorrow 🙌🏼
Thank you so much for sharing your biggest takeaways from this video! x
It’s really neat to think that moving with the horse even in an jumpy seat you can still keep a positive connection. I always thought a bumpy rider shouldn’t always keep contact for chance of ruining the horses. But I like seeing that we can help teach them longer to work on keeping control of the contact in a positive way. Also I thought it was interesting to learn to keep our hands even while turning as well too.
LOVE it!! So many takeaways - thank you so much for sharing!
Great clear visual for even contact and keeping the upper arms as part of my torso. Will try the ‘let go’ on a heavy horse. Thank you!
You're welcome! Go for it! :)
Keeping even pressure even when horse is pulling heavy. Great explanation!
LOVE it! Thank you so much for sharing what you learned from this video x
Alicia has such an incredible knack for explaining the basics in an engaging and easy to understand way. I now know what I have to work on for my horse's benefit, which is keeping my hands even so the reins maintain a steady contact with his mouth. I'm going to be working super hard on keeping my upper arms as part of my torso and my lower arms more supple!
Woohoo! Tell us how you go when you try out the tips you learned when you ride.
The example of letting go is so helpful!! My horse often gets heavy in the warmup, so this is such a good tip!
Glad it was helpful!
I'd never thought about keeping my upper arms as part of my torso before. Can't wait to try this. Thank you!🧑🏫
Love it! Tell us you go! x
OH my gosh! 🤯 the fact that I don't have to be "perfect" but still get the job done was a huge brain explosion for me. Really enforces the fact that you don't go from entry levels to grand prix instantly; there is a progression. And if you can get the progression right your still going to accomplish your goals! Floppy arms, the bane of my existence ! I need to work on that so much! I almost need to Velcro my upper arms to my torso! 🤣
Perfect! So glad you learned so much from this video! Thanks for watching!!
Excellent description of how to keep your forearm from tensing up but keeping your upper arm against your body! Thanks for asking the question Harlowe!!
YAY! So glad you enjoyed the video x
the video is once again such a revelation for me. I tend to get too rigid with my forearm, but I never thought of seeing my upper arm as part of my torso. I will take this and the steady hands to heart the next time I ride
Happy to help!
Always have been told that at sitting trot I tend to move my hands up and down, but now I will concentrate in keeping reins with contact and upper arms firm with my torso. Can't wait to try this out!
YASSS!! You got this! x
This was so helpful. I can never getm my horsen on the bit and you explain everything so well! And it makes it easier to understand. I have a habbit of letting my reins flop around on all different lengths. So when you explained that you had to keep the balance it made sense why I struggle to keep him on the bit.
YAY! Thanks for watching, so glad you enjoyed it x
Absolutely this is helpful, since I started thinking about my reins as one piece and that I had to keep my hand even I started turning with my outside rein more which really helped me and my horse, both getting on the bit but also staying on the train tracks. Super fun learning from you both!
Super!! Love that you're learning so much from this video x
YOU are a great teacher and explain issues EXTREMELY WELL!!!!
Woohoo! Thank you x
my horse puts her head down very often and i fall over but this lesson rely helped me with contact and not falling over .thank you so much xoxox always helpful byyy ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
So glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching x
@@YourRidingSuccess no tank youuu xoxo
Very useful. Even contact in both reins - I need to keep reminding myself that!
You got this!!!
Thank you so much! It’s amazing having two of my fav RUclipsrs in 1 vid! I learnt to keep your upper arm tense while your lower arm is floppy and to keep your hands level! Tysm again!!!
YAY! Thanks so much for watching! Glad you learned so much from this video x
One rein, steady and even hands, I got to practice more, then my contact will be better, thank you for another great video😊🐴
YAY! So glad you enjoyed the video x
Biggest takeaway is to fuse upper arm to the torso and keep the lower arms floppy. My instructor tells me I have soft hands but I also have issues with loose elbows. Something to focus on tomorrow! Thank you, Alicia 💖
Thank you so much for sharing your biggest takeaway from this video! x
The rein demo was so good. You forget how important it is to “ride like tinker bell” (lightly) as well as the importance your stable rein has to be to get the result you want “a horse on the bit”🐎
Thank you Alyce!! Love this! :)
This is super helpful! I find it hard keeping a good contact without getting really stiff in my hands. Thank you for all this advice!!
You are welcome! Thanks for sharing :)
That was great help. I am a senior citizen and ride a 6 year old OTTB. I should already know this but I didn’t! Thank yiu
So glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching x
What a good feeling when riding today...I'm still worning on this ad it's not 100% but I'm on the right way. Thanks for your so helpful videos👍👍
You got this!!!!
I learned everything from this video!! Because I haven’t ridden a horse in a very long time!!!!! But I want to start again!!! Soooo thank you very very much!!!! 😊😊😊😊
You can do it!
@@YourRidingSuccess thank you so so much!!! I really hope so!..
Learned so much in this one. However, the biggest takeaway for me personally, as I'm always worried about my horse, would be that it's almost more kind to keep constant contact as opposed to inconsistent contact. Thank you for this!
Thank you so much for sharing your biggest takeaway from this video!
This was super helpful for me. I can struggle to get my horse on the bit. I haven’t looked at needing to keep my upper arm solid and a part of my torso. I need to pay more attention to my arms and work on keeping my hands even. This was great. Thanks so much!!
Super!! Love that you're learning so much from this video x
This was so helpful! Thank you so much! I don’t like the idea of forcing my horse’s head down or pulling on his mouth, but the way you explained contact seems more supportive and steady than forceful. Your demonstration showed me how to balance the horse and that I’m not doing any favors by letting the reins slack and then pulling.
Thanks for watching, Katie! Glad you enjoyed this video x
I love this level of explanation! The way you broke it down for her was awesome( and me )! I put it into action today and what I learned is an even rein is not always an even contact! I was obsessed with maintaining an even rein length and hand position but I lacked an even connection. My horse tends to be heavy in my right and light to non existent on my left. I played around and was able to find him on my left rein by opening the left rein and giving the right a little. It was a game a of give and take to keep that connection but he eventually became steady and evenly connected!
Woohoo!! Super amazing!! We can't wait to hear more about it! x
Oh my god, this makes so much sense!! I struggle to get the horse on the bit and end up with almost straight arms and look like I’m riding a motorbike!! Thank you x
YAY! So glad you enjoyed the video x
I like how simply you describe things. I have so many things going on in my brain when riding it's nice to have a simple visual to work through ☺️
YAY! So glad you enjoyed the video x
I couldn’t thank you enough!! I’m only 13 and never tried having a horse on the bit but watching this video im not gonna lie but but it worked on my 8y old lesson horse im riding!!❤ thank you so much for this it’s such a relief that I have figured out this channel cuz i didn’t feel like I learned much in my dressage lessons but this video really helped me alot and I also watched a video about how to stay still in the canter and I cannot wait to try using the method!!😊 Thank you soo much.
You are welcome! Thanks so much! :)
The bonus clip blew my mind. I could never work out how to keep a soft arm but not let the horse pull my arms forward. Can't wait to try that 🤯
Happy to help! Good luck! :)
That was so clear and useful, especially heavy horses. It reminds me of the lessons where you ride with a crop between your elbows and across your back, making as you say your upper arms part of your torso but keeping your forearms and hands supple. Thankyou so much!
So glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching x
Thank you so much. This video was so helpful. The part about horses leaning on the reins and keeping your upper arms strong and forearms soft was fantastic.
Thanks so much, Sandy!
Thankyou the video I learnt so much how to keep your elbows near your body from elbow to hand relax do not lose the rains when go into the circle because he lose balance to keep him on bit can't wait for next one.
Perfect! So glad you learned so much from this video! Thanks for watching!!
I love Harlow ! Such a good video and some very obvious, but interesting and educational tips, especially with the leaning bit
YAY! So glad you enjoyed the video x
My biggest learning was about keeping the hands even so the contact is even and also reminding me to keep my upper arms with the torso. Thanks Alicia & Harlow!
Perfect! So glad you learned so much from this video! Thanks for watching!!
Wow!!! This is the best explanation!! I am FINALLY starting to understand what contact is!!! Thank you Alicia. You are the best!!
You're so welcome! Glad you liked it x
Really good explanation of where your elbows should be and keep your hands from clenching on a heavy pulling horse. I have short arms (I'm a short person) and have a tough time keeping my elbows at my side without letting my reins get too long.
So glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching x
Thank you for this video I found it very informative. The best part for me was the steadiness of the hands. I have constantly struggled for years to have my horse on the bit my daughter can do it no problem. I like it when I ride in the rain because my horse then goes on the bit and in an outline 😊 I know it’s because of the rain but I pretend. Now I can’t wait to have a try. Also the upper arms being part of the torso. I was always told not to put them against your side to ensure you can move your elbows back quickly if necessary. I haven’t really thought about the reigns as being 1 or 2 as I view them as one piece. Thank you again 🙏
Perfect! So glad you learned so much from this video! Thanks for watching!!
I got on a horse the first time and was so easy as I did parkour and martial arts. Broke my back and neck. Now I am stiff. Still hold onto my horse as I trot. But am not giving up. This video helps a lot to understand what I just did previously.
Wow! Super job!! :)
Learn something every time, so glad I found this channel. It’s the little tid bits that can make a huge difference.
Thank you so much! :)
Brilliant coaching! Tried keeping my upper arms “anchored” with “floppy” lower arms -what a huge difference in my young mare’s willingness to be on the bit. Thank you from both of us! 💕
You are most welcome :)
I just joined the dressage mastery academy and I've already learned so much! I've struggling with keeping my horse on the bit and doing stretchy circles, but just seeing this demonstration really helped me to see some of the things I'm really not doing quite right and how I could improve a bit! Thank you guys so much!
YAY!! LOVE that you're finding the videos super helpful and that the techniques are working well for you!! We'd love to hear more about your progress! x
You really are an excellent teacher. You do such a great job of breaking things down and making them understandable.
Thank you!!!
Brilliant. Amazing way to teach. The video really helped my 8 year old to understand the work of fingers
You're very welcome!
Can't wait to try this on my horse! Thank you for demystyfying one of the greatest riding mysteries!! Learnt so much: thinking of one single rein not two and keeping the two sides even no matter what, keeping the hands and wrists soft and upper arms and back strong. Letting go when the horses gets heavy - All this is so simple but no one explains it! Going to my hirse now to put into practice!
We can't wait to hear how it goes for you when you try this technique on your next ride x
Upper arm and even weight in hands. Love your videos. I'm in the fearless class and loving it. Thank you.
YAY!! So glad you are loving the program so much x
this is going to help me so much i have wanting to do this but never understand it but now i understand everything it is all about keeping it equal and a stable contact thank you :)
Woohoo! How exciting!! Tell us how you go trying this out x
Keeping your hands even couses that it's easier to steer your horse. I've checked it 🤩Thanks for that tip!!!
LOVE it! Thank you so much for sharing what you learned from this video x
This message can never be heard too many times. I feel like I am learning it for the first time every time. Sometimes your riding goals and achievements progress and you let the basics slip or forget how applying them correctly will help so much. Thank you PS: Cuteness overload with you and Harlow
So glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching x
this really helps with my mare! she gets very uneven and strong so keeping my upper arm as part of my torso should really help! thanks so much!
So glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching x
Hi Alicia, I learnt to keep my elbows strong instead of wobbling them around.I know it'll make my riding better than before. 👍 👍 Thanks!
Tell us how you go! How exciting! x
@@YourRidingSuccess My canter is way better than before. Thanks.
Thank you so much for this video! I have been struggling with this for a long time now, and this video has helped me out so much! I’ve learnt to keep even pressure on both reigns in this video, and also that we only have one reign! I definitely did not know that! :)
Perfect! So glad you learned so much from this video x