|
|
Member
Posts: 21
| I have heard a lot of conflicting opinions lately on where ones hand should be in a turn (generally, all horses are different of course) from drop your hand to your knee, to lifting, to pulling to your hip etc. I have found a position that works for my horse and me but it got me thinking where do ya'll like to keep your hands in a turn and why? |
|
| |
|
 Elite Veteran
Posts: 889
 
Location: on the fine line between insanity and geniusness | I spent a lot of time with Deb Mohon growing up so I am pretty old school. I also ride a good many cow horses and cutting rejects that don’t require much help, but I keep my hands on a flat plane below my saddle horn. It keeps just enough pressure on your inside rein to keep shape, but also keeps your outside rein on their neck to keep them from getting too bendy. It’s hard to explain!!!! I kinda anchor my elbow in at my stomach and use from there down! The only time I “lift” is if one is out of position and I need to move their shoulder over. |
|
| |
|
Married to a Louie Lover
Posts: 3303
 
| I pull straight back.
I’ve ridden with clinicians that have had a few different opinions on this and Chris Martin’s theory and hand position of pulling straight back is what made the most sense to me and came the most naturally.
Pulling to the knee has never made sense to me and I found that Ed Wright’s theory if the bad forward and up was really difficult for me to master, it just didn’t feel natural and it wasn’t effective on the horse I was riding at the time. |
|
| |
|
Member
Posts: 21
| Ashley Lynn - 2017-12-27 11:11 AM
I spent a lot of time with Deb Mohon growing up so I am pretty old school. I also ride a good many cow horses and cutting rejects that don’t require much help, but I keep my hands on a flat plane below my saddle horn. It keeps just enough pressure on your inside rein to keep shape, but also keeps your outside rein on their neck to keep them from getting too bendy. It’s hard to explain!!!! I kinda anchor my elbow in at my stomach and use from there down! The only time I “lift” is if one is out of position and I need to move their shoulder over.
This is how I try to ride as well. My mare doesn't like you on her face she just needs a little guiding as she tends to cheat out if you give her the chance. |
|
| |
|
Member
Posts: 21
| OhMax - 2017-12-27 11:13 AM
I pull straight back.
I’ve ridden with clinicians that have had a few different opinions on this and Chris Martin’s theory and hand position of pulling straight back is what made the most sense to me and came the most naturally.
Pulling to the knee has never made sense to me and I found that Ed Wright’s theory if the bad forward and up was really difficult for me to master, it just didn’t feel natural and it wasn’t effective on the horse I was riding at the time.
I also can't grasp the up and forward deal on my current mare. She is not a turny horse, on my other retired mare you sit back and put your hand forward she's committing to the turn. Not the one I run now. |
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 477
Location: Lost in the swamps | Trying to figure that one out now on one of mine lol.
I'm finding he likes a more forward "up"
hand I find it helps him stand up more and stay forward becuse he's ratey.
The more consistent mare i ride. I could play rock paper sissors up there and she'd turn the same every time. 
Edited by imturnin3 2017-12-27 7:18 PM
|
|
| |
|
Elite Veteran
Posts: 889
Location: on the fine line between insanity and geniusness | I have a DTF gelding right now that HATES any kind of inside rein during a turn. You have to little kid neck rein him, that is so mucher harder for me than I thought it would be! |
|
| |
|
  Neat Freak
Posts: 11216
Location: Wonderful Wyoming | Unless you train the horse from the very start I think it depends on your horse's preferences and how they were trained. I try to do what fits each horse. My old guy hated if you touched his face going into the turn. It made him drop and very front endy. I could run him with a rope around his neck he was so automatic and honest. I just laid the rein on his neck and then picked up and helped him finish the turn he was great. My late stud was one I kept it picked up and gently pulled him around the barrel, just light pressure. My Firewater Finale colt is very green but seems to like a bump before and slight pressure around each turn. I would prefer them to do most of it themselves and when I pick up it is for a correction, but some rely on that cue throughout the turn.
Edited by wyoming barrel racer 2017-12-27 12:21 PM
|
|
| |
|
 The Bling Princess
Posts: 3411
Location: North Dakota | I strive to train mine so all I have to do is run in and set my hand on their neck and let them work. |
|
| |
|
Veteran
Posts: 217
| imturnin3 - 2017-12-27 11:39 AM
Trying to figure that one out now on one of mine lol.
I'm finding he likes a more forward "up"
hand I find it helps him stand up more and stay forward becuse he's rarely.
The more consistent mare i ride. I could play rock paper sissors up there and she'd turn the same every time.
This cracked me up....
Plus this is a really good thread for me to think about  |
|
| |
|
 Take a Picture
Posts: 12838
| Look at pictures of people who are winning. That will help you |
|
| |
|
 Expert
Posts: 1631
Location: Somewhere around here | I don't think I've ever had my hand to my knee and the last time I put my hand straight to my hip my horse turned his neck for the first barrel but his body was straight. Not a good day for us at the jackpot lol. My horse does better with a little tighter rein, and pressure from both sides of the reins, just the inside a little more. Didn't matter if it's a bit or Hackamore. He is not a huge turny horse so I can't just throw the reins to him. Wish I could but no. I also have a old rule (can't remember from who) that you imagine a dinner place on your horn and your hand shouldn't leave that specific area while you're in a run. Training is a different story but while you're making a run that's something I try to keep in mind. |
|
| |
|
 Veteran
Posts: 133
| imturnin3 - 2017-12-27 8:39 AM Trying to figure that one out now on one of mine lol. I'm finding he likes a more forward "up" hand I find it helps him stand up more and stay forward becuse he's ratey. The more consistent mare i ride. I could play rock paper sissors up there and she'd turn the same every time.
Edited by SaritaStorm 2017-12-28 10:43 AM
|
|
| |
|
 Born not Made
Posts: 2931
Location: North Dakota | glitzandgrit - 2017-12-27 10:00 AM I have heard a lot of conflicting opinions lately on where ones hand should be in a turn (generally, all horses are different of course) from drop your hand to your knee, to lifting, to pulling to your hip etc. I have found a position that works for my horse and me but it got me thinking where do ya'll like to keep your hands in a turn and why?
As you said, I think the bottom line is that all horses are different.
Pulling more BACK will work great for a horse that has more of a rollback style turn.
Pulling more OUT helps a horse keep a good round turn.
I've personally never been one to do much "lift". I feel like if you truly are riding a fast horse, you just don't have time for lifting, LOL.
I like having my horses be as automatic as they can. Yet I also like having them broke so I can make a last second adjustment if I need to.
I tend to go more OUT with my hand and guide them around the turn.
|
|
| |
Folks on-line