Exercises other than working stirrup-less to improve position?

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QueenDee_

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Due to a lack of lessons the last year my position has been getting progressively worse:o naturally I'm a lot tighter/tenser up my left side (well, perhaps not naturally, but was pointed out by a physio at a pc camp once) and I find I always struggle to keep the weight down my left heel and instead I grip up from the hip. Consequently this can lead to an unstable lower leg position, and I find it also causes me to tip forward rather than sitting up on my seatbones and all the while this causes a lack of balance! Its easy to know what I do wrong, but half the time when I'm riding I forget to correct it as it has become habit :o

Of course lessons would be the best option, but at this time of year I struggle for time apart from the odd one every couple of months.. I also know that work without stirrups is the best bet though due to a lack of arena (and a currently wet/muddy schooling field!) work is limited to hacking so although I often walk without stirrups I was wondering if anyone could give me any tips/exercises I can do whilst out hacking to improve my position and stop tensing up my left side?
 
You can still walk and trot with no stirrups. Really work on getting your horse to sit on its butt, Also don't just walk along on your hacks, make sure you are sitting up and getting in the right position.
 
Cheap, dry and easy option....buy one of those fitness balls and download exercises off the net. Exercising on that does wonders for your core and balance. If you are sitting very lopsided then you can't stay on the ball!
 
Luci07 said:
Cheap, dry and easy option....buy one of those fitness balls and download exercises off the net. Exercising on that does wonders for your core and balance. If you are sitting very lopsided then you can't stay on the ball!
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I was going to say this too. Go to youtube and search for pilates for horse riders. There is loads of stuff on there.
 
When you are trotting you can mix up your rising, sit for 2 rise sit for 3 rise, etc, swap round so you stay out of the saddle for several steps, try working in 2 point in all paces, it is harder than you may think to do properly without resting on your hands, especially good going up hill as it allows the horse to use it's back and excellent for getting your heels down, opening the hips to allow you to then sit on your seat bones without gripping up. Once your core is stronger sitting deep will become easier.
 
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