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Starting Member
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Last Login: 8/21/2009 5:13:57 AM
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I am working on my 4H book and one of the questions is "Explain what is ment by light hands and how this would be helpful to your horse." I am confused! Can somebody help me?
 God, Please Help My Horse,Mary! 
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Senior Member
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I would describe light hands as not interfering with your horse, but sending clear cues.
Here are some picture examples:
http://www.horseflashes.com/images/dressage_rider_close.jpg
This looks like a heavy-handed rider. Notice the clenched fists and the bit pulling up the corners of the horse's lips. The horse is chewing hard and bent at the third vertebrae. He looks very stiff at the poll. This is not true collection, this is the rider forcing the horse into a headset.
http://www.hunterjumpernews.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/01/George%20Williams%20aboard%20Marnix%20won%20the%20Grand%20Prix%20at%20the%202006%20Zada%20Enterprises,%20LLC%20Florida%20Dressage%20Classic,%20a%20Susan%20Stickle%20Photo.jpg
Notice the difference in this photo. The rider's hands are closed but do not have a death grip on the reins. He has a contact with this horse, but the horse is not pulling on the bit. The horse is very collected, flexed at the poll, and has lots of foam (good thing). The horse looks genuinely happy.
I hope this helps!
Like a horse in open country, they did not stumble. ~Isaiah 63:13
But ask the animals, and they will teach you ~Job 12:7a
"You don't throw a whole life away, just 'cause it's beat up a little" ~ Tom Smith, Seabiscuit's trainer
Please join the Thoroughbred Owners and Enthusiasts Club if you love Thoroughbreds! www.thoroughbredtalk.webs.com
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Starting Member
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Last Login: 8/21/2009 5:13:57 AM
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Thank you so much! That really helped!
God, Please Help My Horse,Mary!
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Senior Member
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Last Login: Yesterday @ 7:21:13 PM
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Glad I could help!
Like a horse in open country, they did not stumble. ~Isaiah 63:13
But ask the animals, and they will teach you ~Job 12:7a
"You don't throw a whole life away, just 'cause it's beat up a little" ~ Tom Smith, Seabiscuit's trainer
Please join the Thoroughbred Owners and Enthusiasts Club if you love Thoroughbreds! www.thoroughbredtalk.webs.com
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Average Member
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Last Login: Yesterday @ 3:23:34 PM
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To give you a bit of a simple answer. I believe a person with 'heavy' hands is someone who habitually pulls and yanks on the bit / horse's face even when it is not needed. This can cause a horse to have a 'hard' mouth and can confuse a horse as to what is being asked, since the horse is never given a 'release'. A person with 'light' hands will use the reins as an aid to acheive what is needed, but with the lightest touch needed. It is good to develop and use 'light' hands when riding.
Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, It's about learning to dance in the rain. 
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