sbloom
Well-Known Member
Sounds like your saddle isn't helping much. Being in alignment shouldn't be super hard work, and should be the same whoever the teacher
(I don't like this laughing smilie!)
A numpty has a Classical dressage lesson
- Thread starter Reacher
- Start date
Sounds like your saddle isn't helping much. Being in alignment shouldn't be super hard work, and should be the same whoever the teacher
(I don't like this laughing smilie!)
Reacher
Well-Known Member
Yes might be the case ? (when am at RS am on a school horse in a solution saddle which is even less comfortable as stretches my hips to their limits )Sounds like your saddle isn't helping much. Being in alignment shouldn't be super hard work, and should be the same whoever the teacher
Reacher
Well-Known Member
Due to my inability to forward plan (and also trying to fit in lessons at home on mr H who needs to be getting fit for eventers derby next month) we are still only at Lesson #5...
On the schoolmaster again, having been practicing trying at home to not grip with lower leg / knee and not turn toes out, hacking out in stirrup straps... was immediately told i was gripping with my knee and toes were turned out! (Toes turned out blocks the movement in the hip).
Was asked to ride towards the mirrors in sitting trot and analyse what I saw - frankly I can’t do that much multi tasking - didn’t feel/ look too bad to me- the RI said I looked like a monkey hanging onto a stick gripping with my toes ? ! Had stirrups taken off me and automatically tried to push heels down to counteract my tendency to lift at the heels - was told not to force heels down but just let my feet hang like dead lumps of meat! And stop that left foot turning out! Without stirrups I could sit easily in trot (though what they call trot to me is more of a slow jog?).
Also my hands getting getting to far forwards and elbows stiff - I think this is because I find at the (short) rein length i’m meant to keep i find it difficult to maintain that amount of rein contact hence hands drift forward.
Stirrups retrieved and sit to the trot without forcing my weight into them. Pushing weight into the stirrups blocks the horse. And stop that bloody left foot turning out!!
Had a go at shoulder in by turning my body , half halting with inside hand when she started to come off the track and open outside hand. (Not done much shoulder in before on own horse.) Then come off shoulder in and go onto a circle then into canter. Canter showed up my problems with my stirrups /feet and I was pushing myself out of the saddle and sliding around.
Looked again at my feet, keep left foot turned in and put my weight on the outside of my foot - my ligaments were screaming at this point!
So RI thinks my balance is good, I sit better without stirrups, my hip movement isn’t bad, my problems are my short hamstrings and tight ligaments especially in left leg. I’ll never get anywhere if I can’t sort this out! I’ve to go away and practice walking on the outside of my feet!
On the schoolmaster again, having been practicing trying at home to not grip with lower leg / knee and not turn toes out, hacking out in stirrup straps... was immediately told i was gripping with my knee and toes were turned out! (Toes turned out blocks the movement in the hip).
Was asked to ride towards the mirrors in sitting trot and analyse what I saw - frankly I can’t do that much multi tasking - didn’t feel/ look too bad to me- the RI said I looked like a monkey hanging onto a stick gripping with my toes ? ! Had stirrups taken off me and automatically tried to push heels down to counteract my tendency to lift at the heels - was told not to force heels down but just let my feet hang like dead lumps of meat! And stop that left foot turning out! Without stirrups I could sit easily in trot (though what they call trot to me is more of a slow jog?).
Also my hands getting getting to far forwards and elbows stiff - I think this is because I find at the (short) rein length i’m meant to keep i find it difficult to maintain that amount of rein contact hence hands drift forward.
Stirrups retrieved and sit to the trot without forcing my weight into them. Pushing weight into the stirrups blocks the horse. And stop that bloody left foot turning out!!
Had a go at shoulder in by turning my body , half halting with inside hand when she started to come off the track and open outside hand. (Not done much shoulder in before on own horse.) Then come off shoulder in and go onto a circle then into canter. Canter showed up my problems with my stirrups /feet and I was pushing myself out of the saddle and sliding around.
Looked again at my feet, keep left foot turned in and put my weight on the outside of my foot - my ligaments were screaming at this point!
So RI thinks my balance is good, I sit better without stirrups, my hip movement isn’t bad, my problems are my short hamstrings and tight ligaments especially in left leg. I’ll never get anywhere if I can’t sort this out! I’ve to go away and practice walking on the outside of my feet!
SEL
Well-Known Member
Sorry if you've already said but do you have physio or similar regularly. My left leg has a mind of its own when I'm riding because I had a nasty fall 20 odd years ago which has left me with various problems. My RI could always tell if I'd had recent physio because left leg would behave (as would right hand)
I'm better if my stirrups are removed too.
I'm better if my stirrups are removed too.
Reacher
Well-Known Member
I do have regular sports massage but only on my back. However I am booked into an Andy Thomas clinic in a few weeks so hopefully he will set me on the right track. I will speak to my sports massage guy next time I’m there too - good idea, thanks . I haven’t had any injuries but I think it’s years of bad posture which has given me short hamstrings / tendons.
PS will try harder with exercises too!
Cragrat
Well-Known Member
Did you see the webinar with Maire Terese Engell about Rider Balance? Totally fascinating and worth a watch.
She has also invented a stirrup for exactly your problem. I'm not totally convinced about fixing the symtom when the problem is likely to be higher up, but I can see the appeal of getting some educated muscle memory.
https://www.riderinbalance.com/product-page/rider-in-balance-stirrup-steel-1-0
She has also invented a stirrup for exactly your problem. I'm not totally convinced about fixing the symtom when the problem is likely to be higher up, but I can see the appeal of getting some educated muscle memory.
https://www.riderinbalance.com/product-page/rider-in-balance-stirrup-steel-1-0
Reacher
Well-Known Member
Thankyou , no I haven’t seen this , will watch it this afternoon.
RI mentioned the wedge stirrups which might help with the muscle memory. Other than that it’s lots of stretching exercises!
Regandal
Well-Known Member
Do you think the saddle may be hindering you? I recently got a WOW saddle and my position has dramatically improved. I know they don’t suit everyone though.
I could cry when I think of the time and money spent on lessons when realistically I was never going to progress much in my previous setup.
I find Susan McBane and Sylvia Loch easy to understand, what they write appeals to my brain! Loving your updates.
I could cry when I think of the time and money spent on lessons when realistically I was never going to progress much in my previous setup.
I find Susan McBane and Sylvia Loch easy to understand, what they write appeals to my brain! Loving your updates.
Reacher
Well-Known Member
Thanks! - am glad the updates (which are very much a brain dump) aren’t too boring!
The dressage lessons are on a school horse on its treeless saddle - it doesn’t help my narrow hips as it is so flat/wide - but can’t change that.
My own saddle (a Harry Dabbs gp) possibly doesn’t help my lower leg as I tend to feel I’m in a bit of a chair seat - I feel the stirrup is pulling my leg forward. Although I tried to discuss this with a different (my local) instructor and she didn’t seem to think there was an issue, and thought my hip - heel line was correct. However I’m aware (from S Bloom’s posts) it is a bit more complicated than that in terms of the saddle providing support (or not). Pity I didn’t ask the saddle fitter (who is also a bhsai) when I was there last month.
I have an introductory Sylvia Loch book and I agree I find her very clear and logical. I’ve not heard of Susan McBain - I will look her up - thanks.
Classical Instructor mentions Philippe Karl a lot who I see has written a few books.
teapot
Well-Known Member
sbloom
Well-Known Member
Just to emphasise the saddle point I have now witnessed a 5 month post back surgery rider have no pain for the first time in years after riding in a suitable saddle, and another rider who had convinced herself her left leg was useless and would forever be working on it, "find" her left leg, reduced rotation outwards (though that can be heavily influenced by rider and horse conformation neither of which is that changeable!) and generally riding symmetrically.
I've probably already mentioned it on this thread but Rider Reboot would be worth a look, over and above the routes you're already looking at.
I've probably already mentioned it on this thread but Rider Reboot would be worth a look, over and above the routes you're already looking at.