head nodding - rider

[not_with_it]

I seem to have developed a lovely head nod in sitting trot.

I dont do it at home, only when competing so it must be some kind of tension in my body. I know I have to drop and relax my shoulders more but apart from that my body isnt too bad.

So how do I stop it?

Gin has a lot of movement through her back in trot and the sitting trot has always been challenging to say the least. I finally thought we were nearly there then I watched a very short video of me from the weekend and I was actually shocked at how bad I was.

HHHHHHEEEELLLLLPPPPPPP!!!!!!!!!! I hate it

 

[KatB]

Normally happens if you look down? Concentrate on looking where you are going all the time, and looking up....should help? I am guilty of some shocking head positions!!!Lol!!

 

[not_with_it]

I will try looking up at the weekend. Hopefully the video man will be there so I can watch it afterwards. I need to bring my hands up too, and shut my mouth

 

[KatB]

Lol!! Id forget my test if I had all that to remember!! Thats why i ride looking like a sack of spuds!!

 

[not_with_it]

Ive ridden the tests loads recently so Im hoping that wont be a problem.

I thought I would have a six pack by now but I seem to be going the other way.

 

[KatB]

Lol!! Seriously a good frined of mine does it, and she found she des it at home, but not at comps as she is more focussed on where she is going and accuracy at comps, maybe your more hung up on how she is going at comps so looking at her and so creating a nod?

 

[not_with_it]

I must look at her head although with the head nodding Im suprised im not dizzy.

At home I look around when Im schooling so thats probably why I dont do it. I must give myself a kick up the arse this weekend.

 

[FREESTYLER]

It is apparently when your tense through the pelvis/back and do not aborb movement there the motion instead "goes up" if this makes sense!! and you nod!!! I have been known to do this when I am tense too as Mister has a large trot too (when he wants)!! I try to think of asborbing the movement through pelvis and ankles......

 

[Bananaman]

Yes, FREESTYLER is right.
As she says, it's the movement travelling up the spine and coming out at the neck rather than being absorbed fully through the hips and lower back.
Try to concentrate on everything above the waist being still, relaxed and quiet whilst your core muscles work at holding your poise and following the trot movement.

 

[Tempi]

focus on looking forwards and relax your shoulders - easier said than done i know!

 

[icestationzebra]

Do you know I used to ride with my mouth open (and not because I was busy chatting - when I was on my own

) I didn't realise I did it until one day a bee flew straight in and stung me on the tongue....

Needless to say I don't do it anymore.
Disclaimer: I am not suggesting you obtain an injury to help keep your head still

 

[not_with_it]

I must tense up then when I go to ride the test. I know that I tense up through my shoulders but I always thought my lower back and pelvis was fine.

I will try to get a video of me riding then you can all pull me to bits.

 

[not_with_it]

Gin too can also do a big trot when she feels like it

although not as nice as Mister

She tends to use minimal effort for everything apart from spooking and running away.

Theres always something else to work on with dressage and with the weather turning its getting harder.
Id just got her feeling fantastic at home and now im having to take 3 steps back as its so spooky on our arena.

 

[not_with_it]

I do need to relax my shoulders more, I always look as though I have no neck as I have shoulders a rugby player would be proud of.

 

[not_with_it]

I'll remember that next time im riding. I have swallowed a few flies in the past but never anything bigger. Im suprised I dont have flies in my teeth when Im finished.

 

[Jo C]

I'm so sorry icestationzebra but that just made me laugh out loud in the office, thank god no one is in here. I bet that hurt though!

 

[viola]

I agree with Freestyler and Bananaman - head nodding comes from stiffness in the lower back/pelvis region. As far as I know it is exactly in the place where your pelvic joins the spine.
As to riding with your mouth open - I have heard that it actually has an relaxing effect (as it relaxes your jaws and in turn your neck)! I would frick out if a bee flew into my mouth though

 

[icestationzebra]

I can laugh about it now - my OH killed himself laughing when it happened - said something about how my mouth is never closed even when I am on my own - cheek

 

[icestationzebra]

YUK!
I had to pull the sting out of my tongue!!

 

[Jo C]

Ow ow ow ow ow

 

[FREESTYLER]

Oh that did make me laugh too!!!! (Sorry!!!) You must have been really relaxed!!!! Apparently too check your tongue...when you are tense it presses against the roof of your mouth.. so let your lower jaw relax and tongue drop... so how about riding with your mouth open and tongue hanging out???!!! Tehe!!!!

 

[Partoow]

One of the reasons begind the 'tension ' in the pelvis /hips region is griping up with the kness to try and hang on to the trot. Also leaning back also closes down the pelvis. This can all happen when you are trying hard.
You need to really think of the pelvis like the opening wing of a butterfly. with the hips pushing outwards as the wings open.This will allow the thigh down and the leg to 'hang' out of the hips ang let your feet be supported in the stirrups with soft ankles. All these joints the become part of the 'absorbing' components ' in the trot.
The middle of the body must stay tall, the spine going up with the head reaching up the shoulders stay wide . With the tail bone down the pelvis stays upright. this will give you the stability you are seeking. Easy!!!!!!! HA HA HA!!!! but it is the truth!!!!! You will stop looking like a chicken if you follow these simple guidelines!!!!

 

[not_with_it]

looking like a chicken... ha, I like it

Lookina around yesterday it seems quite common. Thanks for the advice, I will try to relax more next time out.