To be "On the bit "

To be "On the bit"

Note of the translator: This note in French is called "To put [a horse] in your hand", and is one of the toughest concept to translate, because of the many misconceptions about collection, headset, etc. So I will try to translate the idea rather than the words, and therefore redefine some terms. The added explanations will be written in Italic

"In your opinion, what is the best way to collect a horse? My trainer insists on the fact that I have to play with my fingers (open and close my fingers) to make the horse give in at the poll.
Also, I would like to the difference with a horse that is "on the bit", which I believe is another concept ." (to have a horse "on" your hand).

When "in your hands", the horse's mouth is relaxed, and the head is set vertically.

The horse's head is steady, the lower jaw gives in, the mouth is salivating. The horse's tongue is moving in the same manner as when swallowing, gently lifting the bit, then going back in its normal position and letting the bit go down again.
This slow and gentle movement of the mouth sometimes makes a very characteristic noise.

The horse is in your hand when, being in balance and having his head set, he gives in with the jaw and relaxes his mouth. This state of responsiveness and availability is a sign of physical and mental acceptance of the horse.

Therefore, to have a horse in your hand, collected, is to obtain the head to form a closer angle with the neck of the horse, the poll being the highest point.

True headset is the result of engagement of the hindquarters under the horse's mass, of impulsion and collection in balance. The forehand becomes taller, the horse is in place.

Headset will be detrimental if it results form the rider pulling back on the reins, and from the horse moving his head towards his body.

For true headset, the hand catches this engagement with very subtle finger actions that encourages the jaw and the poll to give in, and then keep this state of responsiveness. Being collected, in your hand, is a sign of physical and mental acceptance of the horse.

The slightest modification in your hands has an effect on the horse's balance. The slightest alteration in the correct layout of the horse's resources (balance, impulsion, posture…) jeopardizes the horse's ability to stay in your hands.

Therefore, you have to start by putting your horse in balance, in a relaxed way. Have an perfect posture, with you upper body tall and relaxed, you legs falling softly and your arms falling in a natural way.

Your hands should be rather low, but should not, to be low, pull down your upper body. Modify the length of your reins until your hands are low and your upper body is placed correctly.

But the height of your hands may vary.
There is no absolute rule, each rider, depending on his own physiology and on which horse he is riding, will look for the optimal height of hands.

Round your wrists in, have soft, rather mobile fingers, with slight vibrations from time to time.

When the horse is perfectly in your hand, start practicing on lowering your hands! (Descente de main).

A horse is on the bit when, having found his balance, he takes a light and constant contact on the bit, without his head being set as described above.
An example would be a young horse who is starting to stabilize his gaits in a still horizontal balance.

A horse ON your hand (on the bit) carries himself forward without hesitation, but is not collected.

A horse IN your hand (collected) is collected, his head is set and he works on short basis.

A young horse "on the bit", with limbering exercises and muscling workouts, will little by little engage his hindquarters, collect, flex his poll, give in at the jaw and progressively come "in your hand".