Hello Gold Coast Horse fan and thank you for your submission.
The first thing I noticed about this picture is that your heels are definitely the lowest point! This is very important if you wish to compete in Dressage, as one of the rules (article 418) states exactly that, so well done there :) I would just like to see your toes turned in a little more.
This is a lovely horse, and you can see by the foam in the mouth that this horse has been relatively relaxed earlier, but is showing resistance and tension in this moment captured by the camera (one of the downfalls of assessing a photo, you only get to see one small moment in time).
The main reason for the tension that I can see, is due to the angle between your elbow and the horses mouth. See how it creates a broken line? Your hand is pulled down and back towards your thigh, as if you are trying to get the horse to flex to the inside, and the horse is resisting. Your hand has also rolled over, with your thumb the inside, rather than being the highest point. This is very important, because it also states in the rules that "the thumbs must be the highest point of the hand".
When you are trotting, your thumbs must be the highest point, and this allows your elbows to open and close in such a way that your hands stay still (different for walk and canter). The horses head does not bob in trot, so your hands should not move relative to his mouth either. There has to be a LOT of movement in your elbow to allow this to happen. To get the feeling of just how much, try putting your little fingers down to touch the saddle for a circle or two, and try and keep them touching with the same pressure the whole time (thumbs still highest). This will help you to bring into your consciousness how much your elbows need to open and close, remember the first step of learning? "Conscious incompetence", you have to become aware of what you are doing wrong! It feels awful, but you will then feel your horse relax his back and reach for the bit. Then, you will learn to recognise the feeling, and start to look for it.
See how your left hand is more forward, with the thumb the highest? if your right hand matched it, we would be looking at a completely different picture. If you want to ask the horse to flex to the inside, close your fingers rather than bringing your hand back. Always use the lightest aid first, so the horse learns to respond to lighter and lighter aids. Close you fingers, and as soon as he gives, relax your fingers. Make certain you do not tense your elbow and shoulder! If he doesn't give straight away, just keep your fingers closed till he does! he will :) and it will feel a lot nicer for him.
Another part of this is ensuring that you are asking for the horse to come through from behind rather than pulling his head down, which i will be doing another article on soon.
Thanks again for the chance to look at your picture, and I hope that helps. I know it is a hard thing to get the hang of, but you will see a massive difference if you focus on ; Thumbs up, elbows bending, ask with fingers not arms.
Good Luck! Please feel free to ask any other questions you like as well :)
Kelly Tombs
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