Correct Hand Position Leads to a Correct Riding Position for Both Horse and Rider
A great example of the correct position in the saddle. Even line from the rider's shoulder, through the elbow, hip and heel. The rider is sitting on the center of gravity of the horse. The elbow-wrist-rein line is a perfect line to the contact which is soft but connected. The horse is standing square and attentive waiting for the next command.
A close up view of the contact reveals a soft connection to the lips of the horse. The top line of the horse is soft, and the nose is slightly in front of the vertical. You can see a softness of the horse's bottom neck muscles.
Definitely a bad connection and position. The riders' hands are too low, creating pressure on the bars of the horse's mouth. The rider is out of line, leaning forward, therefore putting too much weight into the horse's front end. The horse is badly behind the vertical and is stressed with the mouth open attempting to avoid the rider's hands.
The horse's mouth is gaping open in avoidance to the rider's hands. You can see the pressure behind exerted to the bars of the horses' mouth.
I often call this the "Band Conductor" position. The hands of the rider are extremely high breaking the elbow wrist rein line. The rider's back is hollow, and the horse reflects it. The bit is pulled upward in the horses' mouth causing the horse to lift and arch his back. Note the bulge on the bottom side of the horses' neck. Definitely painful and detrimental to the horses' way of going.
The horse is very uncomfortable with a tightened jaw and opened mouth.
No matter what your goals are, correct position is very imperative to learning and advancing through the levels with your horse.
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