I recently read the following article, which I found fascinating,m as I was taught to jump in a different way, which lead to some confusion….

http://equestriancoachblog.com/the-automatic-release-old-fashioned-or-a-lost-art/

When I first started having lessons in Canada, I was a little confused when the coach asked me to show her different types of releases. So, she asked how I had be taught to use my hands while jumping. I was taught to follow the horses mouth with my hands without throwing away the contact. If I was teaching a horse to jump, then remember to grab the mane high up the neck so there was no chance of socking the horse in the mouth. So there was always two objectives.

1) Never sock the horse in the mouth
2) Look after your own balance, so the horse can look after their own.