Any tips for improving balance (mine not horse!)

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A1fie

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I think it's because I am still a novice rider with little confidence I tip forward slightly and my legs go back. It's so frustrating. I've just started sharing this amazing horse so I will have more time to practice than when I was having one lesson a week, but it's just so hard to feel confident when I ride. It's nothing to do with the horse who is so kind and sweet, I just don't know why I can't trust her. Help! I really want to be a good rider and it seems to be taking me so long just to get beyond the first step!!
 
A great analogy that I have used a lot over the years is to imagine that you have a bungee cord attached to your head that is pulling you up. This kind of imaging will encourage you to sit up more without becoming rigid.

Other than that I think it is practice practice practice I'm afraid! Are you going to be having lessons on the horse that you are sharing?
 
I've been having the same problem.
Hacking has done wonders for my lower leg as im more relaxed and able to let my legs hang.

Also, i sit up more now and ever though it feels like im tipping backwards im not and i can feel my horse move much better and more balanced.
 
maybe a few sessions with an instructor on the lunge would be of help? lets you concentrate on your position without worrying about controlling the horse
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thank you all. I will be having some lessons but just not as often. I love the idea of hacking out and there is lots of acres where I am but I think that I shouldn't go out until I am more confident, if that makes sense?
 
Stand on ur stairs with ur heels over the edge so they are down below the toe then raise and lower yourself. It builds up ur legs muscles too and helps balance - don't to it on the top step!!
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One exercise that will help your balance is to stand in your stirrups while trotting. To start with you might find you need to sit back in the saddle after only a few strides but if you build it up slowly it will help with your balance long term. Its sometimes a safer option than riding without stirrups if you find that difficult.
 
I did something called Alexander Technique which helps improve posture etc...and found that really helped my balance. Also I do core stability lessons using a gym ball with a group of friends and that really helps too
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thank you - will try that. My horse is so responsive that I'm scared that if I stand up out of the saddle and lean forward she'll take off!!

I'm also quite lazy when it comes to exercise - I can spend hours with horses because that doesn't feel like working out but proper exercise - eeek!!! end up feeling exhausted just thinking about it!!
 
In my recent lesson with my instructor, she told me to do this exercise which improves your balance, but its so difficult as it really shows you how unbalanced you are when you first do it!

In trot, instead of rising trot up down up down, you trot down up up down up up, keep your weight in your stirrups and use your knees for support. My instructor demo'd and i couldn't tell she was doing it, she just looked like she was doing rising trot, she hardly came out of the saddle! and i was bouncing all around!! Ooops!
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Hope i've explained it well enough. My orders are to do this out hacking as much as possible!!
 
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