Reins Hard
Building up arm/ leg strength, and holding reins with one hand. 4-H?
Hi! Thank you for looking at my question! I am 14 years old, and will be showing my Percheron mare at fair this year. The problem is, I am quite petite, and haven't the arm/and leg strength to push her hard enough most of the time. I was wondering if anyone knows any good exercises to strengthen them?
I was also wondering if anyone has any tips and holding the reins in one hand? My friend has been teaching me, but I can't quit get it to work that way! Thanks!
For arm and leg strength, it all comes with practice. Have someone put you on a lunge line with her, and you just owrry about trying to keep her moving.
Try giving the lunger a whip, and have them move the horse for most of the time, and this is for leg muscles, stay in two point or three point as long as possible. Western or english. Then just do a butt load of trotting!
I do yoga to keep the strength in my legs. But the two point really helps.
Where arms come in, I do lifts and pull ups. But if you spend a lot of time around your live stock, just carry feed bags and hay bales around. Or water buckets. Becareful not to overload though.
Surprisingly, brushing and scrubbing horses uses a bunch or arm too. So maybe help groom some horses. (only spend a lot of time instead of a quick clean and use both arms. Left for the left, right for the right)
How I hold the reins one handed is;
instead of like an icecream cone, I stick my hand out like I'm pointing at someone.
I hold the reins inbetween my first two fingers(I use my left hand, but either works) and let my hand bend at the wrist.
This is only proper style if you're doing western with split reins and you are letting the reins fall instead of holding them in your oppisite hand. (of course, who really cares when it's just for fun?)
It's easier for me, because it's a much more natural location and bend for your arm and hands.
But be forwarned!! If you ride with your hands like that too much, it's much more comfortable, so it'll become a bad habbit you might transfer to your english riding. XD
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