Position focus: Elbows

The positioning of our elbows whilst riding is so often over looked by ourselves and our trainers. Correctly positioned elbows play a vital role in terms of connection between the rider's seat, hands and legs and rather importantly the way we communicate with our horse.

The human elbow is a hinge joint that forms between the upper and lower arm. The elbow can extend to 180 degrees before locking and fixing the arm (the arm becomes straight). Our elbows remain naturally flexed whether we are standing, sitting, walking, running, writing and even driving. When I'm discussing 'straight arms' I mean that the angle of the elbow is more open, towards full extension of the arm. Have you ever tried to drive with straight arms? Have you tried to write/draw with straight arms? It becomes restricting and difficult to make an accurate movement in comparison to having more bend through the joint. It's a similar result when riding; unstable arms which clumsily move up and down with the body's movements. This makes it difficult for the horse to decipher what is a communication and what isn't.

So what is the ideal elbow position?

Ideally, the elbows should be bent and flexible. Thumbs on top which will lightly close the elbow against the body providing the elbow's position is contained within the body line, on line or slightly in front of the hips. In this position, the body will be able to absorb the entire weight of the arm from the shoulder to the hand. The elbow joint will remain elastic being able to absorb and allow the movement of the horse's head and neck through the entire arm and encourages light, steady hands.

It's important to remember that the position of the elbow effects the entire upper body position. If the elbows are placed forward of the body line this will round the shoulders, close the stomach (the core muscles, which are the centre of the rider's position) and round the back. The rider's balance and security in the saddle is compromised and signalling of your aids is unclear. There will also be too much movement in the hands.

Try this exercise:

In a standing position, similar to how you would be in the saddle; feet apart, knees slightly bent, elbows bent at your side with hands in front, thumbs on top... When ready, move your hips from side to side. Notice how stable your hand position is? Now, try the same but with your elbows in front of your body line, elbows more open and your arms held straighter out in front of you. Feel how unstable your arm and hand position has become?

Every movement your arm makes, your horse will feel in his mouth. Now, imagine that you are your horse with a bit in your mouth, think about every movement you will feel through the bit and your rider's hands... Then think about how you have to decide if the rider means the signal or is it a result of an unstable arm position. Not to forget also, the discomfort unstable, noisy hands may cause to the sensitive mouth of the horse.

It's also worth noting that you can have more than the ideal bend in your elbows through positioning your elbows to the back or even behind the body line. This results in a backward feel down the rein and placing continuous pressure on the bars of the horse's mouth.

See how important it is to be quiet and as light as possible with your hands?

Correctly bent elbows will stabilise the arm and encourage light hands, resulting in kind, and sympathetic contact with the horse's mouth.

So the next time you are in the saddle, make note of your elbows and their position. Remember to do regular checks, even just a little squeeze with your elbows on your sides is enough to know that they're in the ideal place for you and your horse.

Claire.