Help for crooked rider - really upset

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eatonbraynat

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Hiya everyone. I have just had a lesson without stirrups which hilighted how much i sit over to the right. My instructor made me sit about an inch and a half over to the left and it felt awful. I was so upset about this problem that in the end i broke down crying and came out of the lesson, i felt like such a wimp :( I am really upset about this and just dont know how to correct it? Any ideas would be gratefully recieved. xx
 
Don't be upset! I think a lot of us sit slightly crookedly, its really good that you know what's happening and are prepared to retrain your body!! I'm sure your instructor will give you some exercises to help - after all, if we rode perfectly all the time, we wouldn't need lessons :rolleyes:

I have done pilates which helps core body strength but I find just being aware that I slightly collapse my right side helps me raise my shoulder. Good luck, its not a major crime :D:D
 
Try not to worry, as above, most of us are a bit crooked if we are honest, the good thing is now you are aware of it you can work positively to correct it. Just keeping aware when you are riding will help retrain your body. Was your instructor unsympathetic? If so, get a new one.

Take a good look at yourself in the mirror, you may find one shoulder or hip is higher than the other. Its not a crime! Many of us are. Try Bowen therapy if so, its brilliant at helping the body to realign itself into its original straight shape. Good luck!
 
It's recently been highlighted to me that I sit crooked - mainly because I had the physio out to my horse and it's clear he is affected by it! My instructor straightened me up the other day and it felt wierd! Im hoping to try and organise a session on one of those mechanical horses and then a lunge lesson at out local college to try and get a feel for what I need to do. In the meantime I'm very aware of it now on my horse, I'm also lunging him twice a week long and low to build up his muscles correctly and I have had my instructor on him a few times as well.
 
Why not get checked out by an osteopath or chiropracter? Maybe there's something going on with you that puts you in that position (I have issues with my right si joint. When it's out I can't get that heel or seat bone into a good position).

If you're okay, just work on getting back to center bit by bit. If you've been like it a while it wont correct overnight. Don't be hard on yourself, many riders have a problem sitting straight.
 
My friends daughter rides to the right also, when we are watching her we are forever calling out "sit straight" but like you say she feels very uncomfortable if she does straighen up, she's having lessons to help her conquer it, but don't feel down on yourself, no-one is perfect and every fault has a cure so if you work on it i'm sure you will get there in no time, good luck :-))
 
pip6 said:
Why not get checked out by an osteopath or chiropracter? Maybe there's something going on with you that puts you in that position (I have issues with my right si joint. When it's out I can't get that heel or seat bone into a good position).

If you're okay, just work on getting back to center bit by bit. If you've been like it a while it wont correct overnight. Don't be hard on yourself, many riders have a problem sitting straight.
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This/\/\ most people have one leg longer than the other (not really leg length, just the way your pelvis is sitting) so maybe you are slightly more 'out' than normal (i'm always out and my OH is 3 stirrup leather holes different from a bad kick years ago). Go see chiro and its pretty easy to sort out.
 
Thanks for all the positive messages everyone. That has made me feel better :) I have regular chiro treatment with a mctimoney who, at the start of my treatment about 18 months ago found that my right side pelvis was twisted up and forward. We have got this 99% better now, but thinking about it i guess that is why i am now crooked. I supposse my body still remembers that for x amount of years i was sitting like that and now it just seems such a daunting task to try and correct it.
 
Loads of riders are crooked -dont be upset. I used to lose my right stirrup all the time as I sat to one side & tensed up on the other. I found working on a gym ball and doing yoga has evened me up. A session with Pauline Kidd (www.paulinekidd.com) helped loads too - she's based in Aberdeen but you might find someone similar if that nowhere nearby for you :)
 
We're all crooked! Some more than others, but none of us are asymmetrical, but neither are horses! :rolleyes:
Its probably your horse throwing you off that side onto the other, but now your aware of it just keep thinking about it! It'll help your horse too!
My pilates instructor also rides, and will give a lesson with you on board, might be worth seeing if their's one in your area or at least having a session on a gym ball?
Also do you ride with mirrors? these help me loads ;)
 
Don't get too upset -as you can see - we're all crooked :)

A chiro session helped me out. I also use my Wii Fit for balance exercises and I have seen a major difference.

When riding, I find trotting on the right rein is really difficult and can feel my pelvis going every which way so I do little bursts of trot and then walk. Every few seconds I take a mental check of how my body is/where it is etc.

Little by little. You won't be able to get it sorted straight away although a chiro appointment can help, you need to remember to check your position to keep from falling into bad habbits.
 
As above re pilates etc. Also get your saddle checked, if you have been sitting crooked your saddle will probably need reflocked. Might be partly your saddles fault too.
 
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