collapsing hip/crooked ?

digitalangel

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Anyone got any tips? When i was in Oz recently, i had a lesson and the instructor there really picked up that on the left rein my ear was nearly touching my shoulder! i also swapped into a GP last night while waiting for new saddle, and found that i had hardly any weight in my left stirrup either. also the left side hurts for a day after riding in a GP. i think the dressage saddle does a better job at holding me upright for some reason, but its still something i would rather not do.

Any tips or evercises? Unfortunately i dont have the time/money to do anything like pilates. :(
 
I have the same problem and the only thing that sorts it out is a trip to my excellent physiotherapist for which I pay about £50. I can't suggest anything else I'm afraid. If your body is wonky you are almost certain to sit wonky on your horse :(
 
I have a similar issue. Agree, the physio helps more than most things, but some things I do when I can't afford to go... I also have no schooling facilities so everything is done inventively, shall we say?!
No stirrups, in trot, stretch down both sides then hold an arm straight up. If you kink your hip, you'll slide off! (Don't do this on a busy road...)
Also with no stirrups, reach right behind with one arm then the other, thinking about keeping your weight square in the saddle. (Repeat until traffic/scary leaves appear...)
Train yourself to sit correctly on any chair etc. you sit on, so one thing less to remember when in the saddle. Think about feeling your weight equally through both seat bones and keeping your shoulders square and over your hips.
Lots of stretches, all the time, riding or not, and think about where your head is pointing.
Stand on one leg when you clean your teeth/do the washing up, whatever. So long as no-one sees (you'll feel a right wally!), it does help to get yourself properly balanced!
And save up for the physio...
 
Lunge lessons are good if you can arrange them, also when working on the left rein make sure that you are stretching down the inside leg and carrying your inside shoulder back to keep your shoulders level with the horse's. Make sure your weight isn't sliding over to the right keeping 'tall' on the inside. Another thing that I found made a huge difference was if you carry bags/rucksacks on your shoulder it can make you very one sided, so just like a horse schooling, make sure you swap shoulders regularly.
 
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