Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Annette Willson on April 26, 2009 at 11:27pm

im a posture fanatic

Permalink Reply by Riley on April 27, 2009 at 11:05am

Yes posture is so important! And your point that if you can't sit on a chair for an hour, how can you ride dressage correctly is also a very good point. However, sitting on a moving horse is much more difficult to do than sitting on a chair. When you sit on a horse, you must not only keep your own body aligned, but remain in dynamic alignment with a dance partner. The bigger a mover your partner is, the more important it is to have the strength to remain in balance with him (her). I was fortunate to attend the World Cup recently and I really wasn't aware how much those riders move - in synchronicity with their very talented and huge-moving horses. I have watched many videos over the years and that is something that I had not been able to see before the same way it is apparent when it is live in front of you. Those riders have beautiful posture, alignment and seats and are able to influence their horses invisibly with the tiniest of aids. When I got home, I immediately changed my focus from sitting "still" to sitting more dynamically (yet more quietly), with my center over my horse's center of balance - my horse has rewarded me with an even bigger, more relaxed walk and is generally rounder over his topline at both trot and canter.

Permalink Reply by Annette Willson on April 27, 2009 at 5:55pm

The second part of my posture advice is to learn to APPEAR sitting still after learning to sit still in a chair.. You are absolutely right Riley. We do not sit still we are moving all the time in the saddle. This takes enormous coordination and muscle strength.. i teach riders on a physio ball and then apply these Pilates concepts in the saddle. Yo can look at my program if you google Applied posture Riding. i am so passionate about teaching riders how to ride well

Permalink Reply by Donna Humber on April 28, 2009 at 4:20pm

I too am a posture fanatic. I do, however, find that as age and injury change my body , it affects my riding. I now have a lower level, smooth moving mare who helps me by requiring minimal flexibility of my arthritic old spine.
I do exercises to stay fit, but am losing the battle , as there appears to be more of me each year !
I feel an unbalanced rider cannot effectively influence the horse, so I do a great deal of longe work with students to perfect their position. This is not always popular, as they come expecting to be floating about in lateral work after one or two lessons, but we persevere !!!
Excellent topic !!

Permalink Reply by Annette Willson on April 28, 2009 at 6:13pm

Donna getting old sucks doesn't it!. I found the same especially after I ruptured my shoulder last year. i was off for 5 months. I am now back show jumping and about to start hunting. I am such a fan of pilates. I practice it , I teach it and I apply it to riding. i wear a back brace to ride in because i have no discs left and I use natural products for pain relif.
I AM STILL RIDING AND TRAINING THOUGH
Have a look at my website from my profile there is a free pdf file as well, I love to share this program

Permalink Reply by Donna Humber on April 28, 2009 at 7:14pm

Yes, I find getting old is the ULIMATE joke. Now that I have the patience, knowledge and experience to walk the walk...I'm too blasted tired!! The alternative, as you say, is much worse.
Braces also suck, how on earth did you rupture your shoulder? 30 + years of ICU & OR nursing have taken their toll on me as well, no specific injury, just 400 chronic ones. Bring on the NSAIDS and spark up the Stubben...I have a show in 2 weeks...yikes...and haven't ridden the tests yet !
Mare is up to it..not as confident about me. I plan to plaster on a big smile, and pretend it is the best test I ever rode! Good for you, jumping, I have popped around a 3' course on my present mare, but here the footing is hard, and I am picky, so we end up doing the dressage movements for work, and jump for fun.
Am heading to your website now...will send SOS if I get lost....D..

Permalink Reply by Annette Willson on April 28, 2009 at 7:24pm

we will be great friends i can feel it LOL

Permalink Reply by Mary McGuire Smith on April 29, 2009 at 1:03am

I agree that posture is key; however, I have found that riding is more in the "standing" posture, knees slightly bent and aligned over your center of gravity. Sitting in a chair will actually stress your lower back if you are immobile for an hour (which Riley actually addressed by pointing out that riding is dynamic, not static). If we sit as if in a chair, our seatbones are not positioned as they are supposed to be when riding, and we roll too much to the back of our seatbones. This causes the lumbar area of the back to be a bit too convex and we collapse our fronts (albeit, only slightly, but slightly is all it takes to affect proper position. ;-).
When working on core strength off the horse (and yes, Pilates is GREAT), I have students sit on (around) a ball (the ones used in fitness centers), that is of a size where their feet can touch the ground flat, with just a bit of bend in the knees, and have them practice lifting their toes off the ground, and balance on the ball....great for the abs and the obliques! LOL

Permalink Reply by Annette Willson on April 29, 2009 at 3:27am

Riley we talk the same language. The learning process for each rider to achieve stability will vary. The ultimate posture is to ride in sink with your horse./s. I teach riders on the physio balls, on the floor, in standing and in the saddle. Being a physiotherapist I understand and teach independent movement patterns as well. For example How to maintain the upright posture but give with the hand (this is a learned movement then applied in the saddle.)
I wish we could have a jam talk i love talking to people with the same thinking.

Permalink Reply by Annette Willson on April 29, 2009 at 5:56pm

if any one wants to follow my blog on this topic.
id love to read your comments and feedback.My blog was live yesterday.
http;//horseridingposture.com

Permalink Reply by Ruth Hogan Poulsen on May 29, 2009 at 8:04pm

Great POINT!!! In out new program, Program Your Position, Jane Savoie and work on just that... programing your position to help your core strength and balance on your horse!! The picture you attached of the pelvis is a great one... you must be able to control your pelvis to be able to have balance, mobility and independence of your seat. Check out some of the audio and DVD material on the site. There is also a posted video on the featured videos area... called Program Your Position...

The beauty of any of these core strength exercises is that you can develop your strength and balance both on and off the horse... Your muscle memory and core balance can be developed without pounding away on top of your horse!! I have also used these visualizations and exercises on an Equicizer... a great simulator that I can have in the house or at the barn!! Nothing like watching TV in the evening, burning a few calories and working on my position and muscle memory!!

get updates at www.programyourposition.com

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