You are an equestrian helping out a beginner. You coach him over
the jump, but he doesn't understand your instructions. This time you
speak more plainly:
"During the approach, remain relaxed
and calm. Keep a light contact on the reins and give as much rein as the horse
requires. Don't run the hands up the mane -- in other words,
don't place your hands too high up the horse's neck. Don't
fix your hands, either.
"Instead, give your horse enough rein so that
it can move its head and neck naturally. Don't drop or throw away the
reins, because this will confuse the horse and disturb its balance.
"You
must be coordinated, so that you are prepared to go over the jump when the
horse does. One of the worst things you can do is catch the horse in the mouth.
Catching, or pulling on a horse's mouth, happens because the rider is
behind the movement or has the reins too short.
"Now let's look
at your position. I noticed last time that you tipped forward on your knees,
so that your lower legs slipped up and back. You also collapsed on landing,
which means you overbalanced your upper body. Both body movements resulted
in loss of control.
"Remember that every movement should be fluid.
The best riders let their horses jump naturally, and do little to interfere
with the movement."