Use your legs, your feet, your hands, your rear end, your weight. The more you use your body, the less you have to use your hands on the horse's mouth, and your horse will stay light. Pelvis first, with legs, then reins last. Always start the horse out in a relaxed frame of mind, with a soft feel, not with his head stuck out or up in the air. Riding is just moving and aiming a horse's feet.
Improved horsemanship is mostly the improvement of our powers of observation and self-awareness.
Be aware of yourself and the horse. Be aware of your attitude and the horse's attitude. If so, then you need to accept that you will not get as much done as you would on a good day. Sometimes they tell you pretty quick. Be aware of the horse's feet, of what they are doing.