A1fie
Well-Known Member
I've been riding just under a year and my balance and seat are still really poor. I still tip forward. Any tips for improving and any ideas on how long it will be or am I doomed to always be slanted and perched!!!!!
balance and seat, how long to get a good one?!
- Thread starter A1fie
- Start date
archie1
Well-Known Member
i try to imagine myself as a tree with my legs the root and my back the tall straight tree trunk. the roots anchor me into the saddle. sounds a bit weird but it works for me!!! the other one my instructor always parrots is the electric socket where the saddle is the socket and the rider the plug so you have to visualise plugging yourself in!!! also a bit weird but i see a lot of things in pictures so it helps me. mainly practice though
Louby
Well-Known Member
Sit on your saddle in halt and pull your knees towards your chest and that will get you sat on your bum, then lower your legs, your stirrups will seem a mile away.
Imagine you have a rucksack on your back to help keep your shoulders back.
Imagine you have a smiley face on your chest, sounds stupid I know but it seems to stop me crouching forward with rounded shoulders!
Think you are bouncing a ball on your head to keep your head up.
Keep your elbows at your side.
I tip forward too and Ive been riding for over 30 yrs!!! Gulp Its a hard habit to break.
Imagine you have a rucksack on your back to help keep your shoulders back.
Imagine you have a smiley face on your chest, sounds stupid I know but it seems to stop me crouching forward with rounded shoulders!
Think you are bouncing a ball on your head to keep your head up.
Keep your elbows at your side.
I tip forward too and Ive been riding for over 30 yrs!!! Gulp Its a hard habit to break.
JustKickOn
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Sit on your saddle in halt and pull your knees towards your chest and that will get you sat on your bum, then lower your legs, your stirrups will seem a mile away.
[/ QUOTE ]
Following on from this, once your legs are back down, grab your thigh from behind and sort of twist it forward.
When you use your legs, think that you're squeezing a tube of toothpaste.
Also, imagine your pelvic bones, and bottom of your rib cage is a box, you can't crumple one side etc. This should also help you keep your shoulders back.
Sit on your saddle in halt and pull your knees towards your chest and that will get you sat on your bum, then lower your legs, your stirrups will seem a mile away.
[/ QUOTE ]
Following on from this, once your legs are back down, grab your thigh from behind and sort of twist it forward.
When you use your legs, think that you're squeezing a tube of toothpaste.
Also, imagine your pelvic bones, and bottom of your rib cage is a box, you can't crumple one side etc. This should also help you keep your shoulders back.
A1fie
Well-Known Member
thank you all for replying, it's really nice. And thank you all for the tips, I will get practising.
palomino_pony
Well-Known Member
Work without stirrups
bhpride
Well-Known Member
I brought my horse and myself back into work after winter and riding without stirrups was a massive help! I did ache a lot at first tho lol but my legs feel so much stronger and I found it excellent for strengthening the seat aids I give. And it goes without saying that it's a massive help for balance and you really feel more secure when you take back the stirrups.
Walk trot transitions without stirrups I found were really good for working on the seat aids and balance - esp on the road where it's bouncier, although I certainly didn't do this until I'd done a lot of work without stirrups in a safe place off the roads.
Walk trot transitions without stirrups I found were really good for working on the seat aids and balance - esp on the road where it's bouncier, although I certainly didn't do this until I'd done a lot of work without stirrups in a safe place off the roads.
Meadon
Well-Known Member
I find lunge lessons very good for balance and seat. If you have a suitable horse, riding bareback in a school helps and loads of riding without stirrups. I lean forward loads and grip with my knees, I think that's when I tense up though.