Any recommendations for exercises I can do....

[{97702}]

It may be my saddle that doesn't help, but I need to learn to have much more weight in the stirrup when riding and sit less heavily in my saddle - Frodo is a naturally tense TB so me sitting on him like a sack of spuds does not improve things! I have mirrors in my arena so currently I am riding round correcting myself constantly, but are there any exercises I can do to help? My lower leg needs to be further back as well - occasionally I 'get it' and it feels great, but I don't seem to be able to maintain it

 

[milliepops]

Jumping in with no helpful advice as my brain is on holiday at the moment, but

It may be my saddle that doesn't help,

^^ worth getting a knowledgable opinion on this early on. What saddle have you got at the moment? From experience, correcting positional faults and weaknesses in a saddle that is tipping you all over the shop is nigh on impossible. It's much easier and more efficient to get that muscle memory in a saddle that at least does nothing negative, and at best helps you.

 

[{97702}]

Hmmm I think you are right - a new saddle is on my shopping list but I have currently maxed out all my credit cards paying vets bills! i have a Sabre GP saddle at the moment, it seems to suit him OK but was a real cheap-off-eBay purchase (it does fit him I hasten to add, I've had the saddler out 3 times to check/adjust it since I've had him)

 

[milliepops]

I was guessing you'd say it was a GP. They do suit some people well but they can be a bit of a "jack of all trades, master of none" saddle

I'm sure lots of HHOers will come along saying you can do everything in a GP and doubtless it's possible, but it does make life more difficult if you are trying to improve. Have a look at where your stirrups hang without your feet in them - I'll guess it's not where you want your legs to be when you are doing flatwork and that means you'll be fighting your saddle regardless of how good a rider you are.

I'm a total evangelist about this subject, sorry, I spent many a frustrating hour trying to perfect 2 point and jumping position when the problem was *not* me, it was the saddle and fixed overnight with the right bit of kit.
Are you going to have more lessons with Vittoria? Perhaps she will have some better insight In the meantime, riding without stirrups (if he's having a sensible day, put a neckstrap on ) could help you to get your legs to hang in the correct place but don't overdo it - if you get tired then you are likely to tense up and not use your core muscles to balance.

ETA, especially in a GP saddle, check your stirrup length. Too long or too short stirrups will also put you off balance, so e.g. if I have to ride in a GP i will always pop mine up a hole or 2 compared to a dressage saddle. No point having a long leg if it makes you whomp down on the saddle in rising trot, lol
Have a play popping them up or down a hole and see if that helps.

 

[be positive]

Having a saddle that fits you will really help but for now try trotting in 2 point/ light seat not too far forward, with stirrups up a hole so you are not reaching too much for them, that should get weight into your stirrups, help with core strength and allow the horse to lift his back under you. In rising trot rise for 2 or 3 strides, more difficult that you would think but great for the lower leg, also work without stirrups to get you deeper and more stable, even just in walk during your warm up it will help you be more aware of your legs and seat.

 

[{97702}]

LOL you have echoed my thoughts - since I have no cash at all I am going to struggle with buying a dressage saddle AND a jump saddle but I really dislike GP saddles now having loved them for years

Yep I am hoping to have more lessons so she should be able to provide some useful insight..... which hopefully won't include riding without stirrups cos it hurts.... Thank you!

 

[{97702}]

Having a saddle that fits you will really help but for now try trotting in 2 point/ light seat not too far forward, with stirrups up a hole so you are not reaching too much for them, that should get weight into your stirrups, help with core strength and allow the horse to lift his back under you. In rising trot rise for 2 or 3 strides, more difficult that you would think but great for the lower leg, also work without stirrups to get you deeper and more stable, even just in walk during your warm up it will help you be more aware of your legs and seat.

Thank you BePositive, that is the sort of thing I was thinking I should do but wanted to be sure I was on the right lines