Holding stomach muscles?

[Vindicated]

I've found that holding my stomach muscles in whilst riding has given me a better seat and also allows me to keep my heels down.

Before, I found it hard to get weight into my heels and keep them down, but now that I'm sitting taller due to holding in my stomach muscles I've got a much better posture. I've only been riding 6 weeks so I'm very new to this.

Thanks

 

[unbalanced]

I've been working on that and I've been riding over twenty years! I started riding with a new instructor about six months ago and she noticed that I rode with a hollow/arched back and weak stomach which meant that my horse also hollowed. Now I have to push with my stomach muscles - like I'm trying to push the front and back of my waistband apart - and it helps my horse to round better. Oh and my back flattens which allows my horse's back to lift and carry me more easily. My instructor has made a lot of other adjustments to my position which was really rather dreadful and we still have a long way to go before my horse thinks I am a good rider(!) but there has been an improvement. And I agree with you, the stomach muscles are definitely key

 

[Vindicated]

So it's just a case of holding my tummy in while I ride. I don't mean really pull in with my abs as if I'm doing a stomach crunch, but do I just need to keep them tight?

 

[Tharg]

Core strength all the way!

 

[canteron]

Vindicated. This is how it was explained to me by a top biomechanics person ....

Think about it when you sneeze, just before the 'choo' bit of atchoo(SP?). At that moment your stomach muscles are contracted at the front and back and it doesn't make you hollow out. (If you hollow your horse probably will.)

At the same time, visualise your boobs pointing straight ahead (neither up or down) - this keeps your shoulders in the right place, and look straight ahead at a point about 1 or 2 feet about your horses head* to stop the weight of your head ruining everything.

Hope this makes sense!!

*depending where the head is, clearly if he is in an outline it may be higher!! you want to be looking forward.

 

[unbalanced]

I think as you advance in your riding you will find new bits to add and change, like unwrapping layers of an onion, I know I am! So at the moment you are learning how engaging your abs can help you to hold your own position better and I am learning how I can use certain parts of them to school my horse. Next week I am going to learn about other parts of them and so on... At least we'll never get bored!

 

[little_critter]

I find that if I concentrate on holding my elbows by my sides (rather than allowing my pony to pull my arms forward) my stomach muscles automatically engage.

 

[MrsHutt]

Vindicated. This is how it was explained to me by a top biomechanics person ....

Think about it when you sneeze, just before the 'choo' bit of atchoo(SP?). At that moment your stomach muscles are contracted at the front and back and it doesn't make you hollow out. (If you hollow your horse probably will.)

At the same time, visualise your boobs pointing straight ahead (neither up or down) - this keeps your shoulders in the right place, and look straight ahead at a point about 1 or 2 feet about your horses head* to stop the weight of your head ruining everything.

Hope this makes sense!!

*depending where the head is, clearly if he is in an outline it may be higher!! you want to be looking forward.

Thanks - this is a good explanation! I am constantly trying to improve my position/seat and will try and remember what you've said. I did find 'The Classical Seat' a helpful read, too.

ps: you are obviously a bright, young thing - when you get to my age, your boobs can't possibly be pointing straight ahead, whatever you do! And don't even think about sneezing!