Any tips for tension in the lower back?

Foxford

Foxford

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I've noticed lately that when I use my leg and seat more (lazy horse!) my lower back tenses up. I think it's a throwback from when I learned to ride years ago with instructors telling me to sit up straight and push my shoulders back. I had a couple of lessons with a really good instructor last year and she spotted it straight away in trot.

At a guess I'd say it's because my leg and seat aren't truly independent, but I'm not sure how I'm going to get there with this problem, if that makes any sense?!
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Just wondered if anyone has had a similar problem and how did you solve it? Thanks!
 
I struggle with that too and found lunge lessons on my mare were a fantastic help (although only any good if you have a safe horse) and also lots of off horse pilates type exercise (although I am not so good at keeping that up, but it definitely makes a difference).
 
Could you try Pilates? I have been on a 5 week course and can really feel how to relax my pelvis and lower back when in the saddle. Doesnt always work when cantering but we try!

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I'll have a look for a local course after Christmas. Thanks! I keep meaning to book some lunge lessons at a riding school so will see if that improves things.
 
Is your horse infront of your leg? I find when Molly is a bit lazy and I have to use more leg that my lower back gets a bit stiffer, but when she is infront of my leg and soft over the back, all I have to do is sit and relax! (Well in theory anyway!!)
 
No, I think that's the root of the problem! When he goes nicely, I am able to ride him so much better. It's a complete vicious circle. He is a lot better than he was, and once I'd reached a point were he had improved a lot, I put some spurs on which really helped us both. I think because I have lessons at a riding school once a week, it's probably made the tension worse! I'm now starting to appreciate the lazy one a lot more!!
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Yes the "lazy horse syndrome" is also most definitely at the root of my tense back problems. I just try harder and harder, getting more tense and my mare gets slower. Since having the lunge lessons and really trying to think it all through, I have found that instead of having the insensitive lazy mare I thought I had, actually I have an incredibly seat sensitive horse and that was why she was going slower - ME blocking the movement!
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I still struggle with it, but it has improved (well had been until she went lame with suspected annular ligament injury, so all a bit academic at the moment!!!
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Although is giving me a chance to concentrate on strengthening my elusive core muscles with lots of pilates)
 
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