Can anyone help with this really basic riding problem?!

[poiuytrewq]

Quick background. I have a bad hip. It's basically got a chunk of extra bone growing inside the socket which catches. I've spent years holding myself wrongly sub consciously. Now I have to be constantly tense that side else I collapse (not just riding but driving, sitting it's pretty much a problem in every aspect of my life now)
It really effects my riding. Because I'm so tight that side the other feels like it's too loose. I feel insecure and messy. (Apparently I look fine, stiff but basically nice, does NOT feel like that)
Horse is a big moving experienced dressage horse. I thought this would be perfect to help sort me out.
In fact it's downright depressingly difficult!
I'm feeling really quite dismal about the whole thing. I've had the horse a year, he's had health issues so not actually been going for a year but I really thought by now we'd be competing and doing lots, I didn't bank of feeling physically unable to ride him.
Transitions are a nightmare. I can't relax my hips enough to sit his massive trot so canter in a school is pretty terrible (great once we have it) I can't sit to his trot at all, I know I need to develop a deeper secure seat again but how? Is it possible with such a knackered body!?
I definitely can't do no stirrups out of walk on him as I bounce, he panics I bounce more, he freaks out more.....
it's so annoying, in my head I know what I want to be doing but I just can't.

 

[Asha]

Would Pilates help ? My instructor swears by it

 

[YorksG]

Have you access at all to a mechanical horse? It may be worth tracking one and an instructor down. There is one we can access reasonably locally, and a physio who works with people with it.

 

[be positive]

If you can sit the canter ok then either train him to canter from rising trot or to canter as soon as you "sit" if he is sharp enough and in front of your leg it should come easily enough to him whichever you try as long as you are consistent, it wont really help your issue but may help you feel as if you are making progress and over time you may start to be able to sit for longer.

 

[ozpoz]

I have hip issues too. Deep tissue massage (ouch!) to free the locked up areas, osteo and physio as well as stretching exercises and crucially a comfortable, supportive saddle and a horse that isn't too wide. Yoga and pilates are good ideas too.

 

[splashgirl45]

have you been offered surgery to fix it? i have had both hips replaced and what you are describing is how i was riding before my ops. it has made such a difference and i can open my hips and really sit in to the horse rather than bouncing around on top feeling insecure...i know your issue isnt the same as hip arthritis but it may be worth looking into whether a hip replacement would help....

 

[Pumpkinbum]

I have regular sessions for Bowen to help release tension in left side due to very bad right hip and compensating. I also naughtily does up on pain killers before I ride. I have sadly had to accept that anything fast is out the question but my girl is getting on so not the end of the world. Try various options and you will hopefully find something that helps.

 

[Slightlyconfused]

Where are you?

Look for a biomechanics instructor. I have hyper mobility and this has helped loads. I tense my left hip as i sublax on that side but it makes me wonky. I cant do no stirrups for the reasons you give.


I would say learn neutral spine in pilates and use it in everyday life.

 

[Shay]

If you have bone spurs they can be removed in keyhole surgery without compromising the ligamentous structure of the joint. If you have extra bone growth no amount of otherwise immensely valuable physio, Pilates, bio mechanics etc will help for very long. You have bone growing where it should not. Many folk can cope with that because their active life is not an issue. Horse riders - and dancers - can't. You can ease the symptoms with physio of one form or another. But to remove it requires surgery.

 

[NZJenny]

Reading your post, my first thought is "is this the right horse for you?". I don't mean that in a negative way, as you obviously bought him with the best of intentions, but if you physically feel like you can't ride him, then maybe a rethink is needed. Horses can cope with all sorts of riders (check out the para riders), but I feel like you would need a degree of confidence to begin with.

Even as a more or less intact rider, I'm still very aware of my physical limitations when it comes to the type of horse I can ride. And even with my very average cross bred, there is so much we can do together.

All the best.