Can't seem to sit straight - any tips?

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sfward

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Just thought I'd ask some advice on this as feeling a bit useless at the moment... I'm really aware that I don't sit straight in the saddle and it's affecting how Missie goes, especially in right canter when she throws me to the left all the time. I suspect the fact that she gets strong, and is a bit heavy in the left hand is not helping as I feel like I shift my weight to the left to compensate; she's not very balanced anyway in canter and I think we're making each other worse. Obviously I'm visibly wonky as both dressage judges this week and last have commented on it
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I've been riding without stirrups every now and again, which really highlights the problem as I'm constantly having to reposition myself right...!
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Can anyone give me any suggestions of good things to do to improve straightness and position in the saddle? Really want to try and get this sorted before I make my lovely baby horse irreparably crooked!!
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Do you think a course of lunge lessons would help?
 
Suggest you visit your chiropractor, it's possible that you are physically crooked in your pelvis or somewhere which is making you sit crooked. Because she is young then she isn't balanced yet, if she is heavy in the left rein then you haven't got her left hind leg engaged enough, but before you worry about all that I really would get yourself checked out.
 
Thanks, I have a very good chiro in York who I've been to before for an injury... never thought about going to help with this issue though - good idea!
ETS booked in for Thursday, hope he can sort me out!!
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Have you got a riding school nearby that does lessons on a mechanical horse? I'm also very one-sided, and just one session on one of these really helped me. You're surrounded by mirrors, so you can work on retraining your brain and muscles, without worrying about what the horse is doing.
 
Interesting idea - I haven't a clue if there's one near me though! I wonder if there's an easy way of finding out eg. website or something? Certainly haven't heard of anywhere locally though...
 
Thanks very much for that - looks really interesting. Long way from me but the inlaws live in Bishop Stortford and we go via the M11, so may well be able to combine it with a visit next time we go! Not that I'm trying to get out of visiting the inlaws or anything lol
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i'd get a good mctimoney chiropractor to check your shoulders, your back and your pelvis... if that's out, you can try as hard as you like and you'll still be wonky!
get your horse's back checked too, i think, and your saddle.
i have found that going on a rowing machine really strengthens my core muscles (like a girdle around the waist and the back) and helps me sit tall and straight.
riding without stirrups doesn't help, imho.
if she's always heavy in the left hand, is it because you're left handed? riders are usually stronger with their dominant hand. if not, get her teeth checked.
i'd just canter in straight lines (out on a ride, obviously, or just down the side of the school then trot the corner and short side) until you can sort it out, rather than make things worse. she sounds as if she's not stepping under you with the inside hind, but chucking you to the outside instead.
good luck!
 
the best chiro i've ever found is from Devon, is it the same person? Annette Pennie? she's an absolutely wonderful qualified McTimoney Chiropractor. has put me right and i've stayed right, after years of pain and crookedness.
 
no not same person obviously two good chiros in devon! my lady is called Caroline, she a standard Chiro rather than McTim but she also does accupunture etc (at no extra price). I have used a McTim and they are good just this lady very good and very local!

I think at least half the yard have ended up being treated by her at some point never mind increasing numbers from my housemate's work!!!
 
Thanks kerilli; actually I'm right-handed! She had her teeth done very recently (all fine) and she is being checked today by a McTimoney chiropractor who will also be looking at her saddle for me. So with that and my chiro appointment on thursday hopefully we will be all covered on the physical front!

thank you for the advice everyone
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