Having seen countless riders do this and seeing firsthand how it will inhibit your riding (and having personal experience with it!), here are my two biggest training tips (and pet peeves!) 1.) You must have soft hands and elbows. I can't tell you how many horses I've gotten on, whether school horses or ones I'm training, that realize I will be kind to the mouth, and they completely relax. Do you have a tight horse, one who braces, pins ears during certain gaits or transitions? Well, your hands are likely the cause if the horse does not have physical issues, and you aren't gripping with your leg. The hand should NOT move. Your elbows need to open and close with the motion in trot. They follow the mouth forward and back to the correct place in the walk. In the canter, the hands do not necessarily move (jumpers will have to with the short rein), and the elbow opens and closes. The best way to determine if you need work is to watch a video of yourself riding and track your hands and the bit in the horse's mouth. I see way too many riders obviously cranking on the bit because they cannot isolate their hands from the rest of their body. Each body part moves individually in the saddle. Especially at the trot, where most issues happen, but your hands on the pommel and don't move them regardless of whether you sit or post. Two-pointing trot will also help, because you can keep your hands still and elbows flexible without having to follow the motion through your body, like you would if you were sitting the trot. Use the walk to practice following the mouth since it will help in the canter. Just remember, especially you dressage riders, your seat and body moves to follow the motion. Your hands stay put!! Again, jumpers who ride with very short reins will need to move their hands to follow, regardless of sitting, light, or half seating. 2.) Turn your toes forward!! Western loves to kick with their heel. Jumpers struggle with this because of the short stirrups. Dressage riders will if their stirrups are too long, and they aren't stretching in their leg correctly. Again, video will help you see your flaws. Imagine wearing spurs. (Which, if you can't keep your toe forward, you shouldn't wear them. You are either causing rubs/sores or desensitizing the horse to the aids. This is apparent in disciplines like western pleasure.) If you have your heel in your horse, you are jabbing them, and you are giving a much harsher aid with your heel than if you used the side of your leg. Literally try to kick with your toe. This will force you to use your calf to cue and will keep your heels of your horse's sides. I hope this helps! Remember, you can never stop getting better. Your horse will thank you for being a gentle rider!!