How to think 'up'?

[stangs]

I have an awful habit of looking down when I school, and, after much contemplation (ironically), I've realised it's because of my thinking. Specifically, I look down when I'm thinking about what next to do when schooling, when I'm focusing on my seat (especially when I'm trying to stabilise a sitting trot), and when I'm enjoying a canter and just want to focus on the feeling of the movement. I do the same thing when I'm thinking out of the saddle.

Given that not thinking isn’t an option, how can I try think with my chin up instead, rather than down and to the side? Any tips and tricks?

(Also ironically, I asked a friend about this and the first thing she did, as she pondered the question, was look down.)

 

[Barton Bounty]

When I am schooling I cant look down or my boobs will hit my chin ??

personally when I started motorbike lessons the instructor told me , DONT LOOK DOWN OR THATS WHERE YOU WILL END UP , so I never look down riding either ?

 

[stangs]

When I am schooling I cant look down or my boobs will hit my chin ??

So I need to get a boob job, got it

 

[Barton Bounty]

Ill donate some , save some money ???

 

[Rowreach]

Find things above eye level all around the school that you can "spot" as you go round. Can be the tops of trees, chimneys, rooflines - much higher up than you think you need.

 

[tallyho!]

Don’t do yourself down… it’s a habit that has affected me for a long time but I wasn’t always like that bombing about jumping - I was looking for the next fence. I certainly don’t do it out hacking but I definitely do it in the school and it’s a right pain in the neck. Blame schooling and having to think ?! Sorry, don’t know the magic trick, just telling you are not alone my neck-straining friend ?… however, having your stirrups a tad longer so your hips are more relaxed helps… and if I remember to keep my elbows actually by my side, that helps enormously too! I’ve just got to have someone shout that at me repeatedly and pay them to do it.

 

[Sossigpoker]

I imagine beams of light from my boobs that I need to shoot up.
Or hear my old instructor shouting "t!ts to Jesus!"

 

[twobearsarthur]

I saw this the other day which could be useful.
https://www.nagga.co.uk/

 

[Flowerofthefen]

Could you learn a few dressage tests so when schooling you look at the letters? A trainer I used to have had me looking at the sky. It scared me!! I couldn't see where the arena fence was and she just said don't worry he won't run into it!! Whilst I was looking up the difficult how the horse went was very noticeable!!

 

[tallyho!]

I imagine beams of light from my boobs that I need to shoot up.
Or hear my old instructor shouting "t!ts to Jesus!"

I can’t stop laughing honestly this is so funny ?

 

[ponynutz]

I was always also told, 'If you look down that's where you'll be', which was often true. Also lifting your face but looking down with your eyes can help - same effect but your head is up and where it should be.

 

[spacefaer]

Just lifting your chin and looking around can make a big difference to your horse's way of going. When you look down, your weight/balance is down the front of your body. If you lift your head, so that it sits at the top of your spine, the balance/weight shifts to the back of your body
With that change, your seat will improve, you'll be able to sit deeper and you'll allow your horse room to lift the withers and become lighter in front. It also improves your contact - I was always taught that your contact started in your shoulder blades. If they are folded forward with your dropped head, then the contact can get heavy or inconsistent. Lift your head, bring your shoulders back and your contact will instantly lighten and become more consistent.

When you look at it like that, you have a h huge incentive to never look down again!

 

[smolmaus]

I do the same, one instructor had me look at letters in the arena as I went round and was on me like a rash as soon as I looked down, but I don't have her regularly and my usual instructor is yelling at me about my leg position too much to notice what my head is doing so I have to just constantly remind myself!

Tits to Jesus is the new motto tho. That's too good ?

eta: agree with spacefaer, the immediate difference it makes is worth just hammering it into your brain. Such a tiny thing has such a massive effect for me its almost annoying.

 

[Sossigpoker]

I can’t stop laughing honestly this is so funny ?

She also used to shout "stop scratching your fanny" if my hands were in my lap and "sort your knitting out" when she was teaching me to longline and I got the lines muddled up.

 

[Lois Lame]

... you'll be able to sit deeper and you'll allow your horse room to lift the withers and become lighter in front. It also improves your contact - I was always taught that your contact started in your shoulder blades. If they are folded forward with your dropped head, then the contact can get heavy or inconsistent. Lift your head, bring your shoulders back and your contact will instantly lighten and become more consistent.

When you look at it like that, you have a h huge incentive to never look down again!

I knew the first bit of your post, spacefaer, but I didn't realise this bit. It's very good to know because it might be one of/the main reason/s why I give my reins away.

I think the only way I would be able to stop looking down would be to tell myself that I am the only person who can make me look up. That's what worked for me when someone told me (regarding my swinging lower legs) "You are the only one who can make your legs still." (He was a brilliant instructor but I only ever had one lesson from him.) So from now on (when eventually I get on another horse) I'm going to be that person who makes me look up and forward.

 

[Marigold4]

I do this too. It's not helped by having rounded shoulders and a tendency to slump. People have given me all sorts of fixes over the years, but I have finally found one that works for me. I tell myself to "lift my ribcage" and I think Carl Hester. It works a treat for me and I'm finally in a position where I CAN hold my head up and look around. I think it's not just a looking down thing; it's a whole upper body thing. I'm no expert though - just someone who has broken this habit - finally!

 

[Skib]

Our RI taught us to lift the top of our hat to the sky. Doing this (trying in front of the computer) seems to increase the weight on my seat.

 

[Lois Lame]

That's interesting, Marigold.

It's not helped by having rounded shoulders and a tendency to slump. People have given me all sorts of fixes over the years, but I have finally found one that works for me. I tell myself to "lift my ribcage" and I think Carl Hester. It works a treat for me and I'm finally in a position where I CAN hold my head up and look around. I think it's not just a looking down thing; it's a whole upper body thing. I'm no expert though - just someone who has broken this habit - finally!

It might well be a whole-body thing. I mean, why on earth do any of us want to look at the horse's crest??
ETA: And good on you for breaking the habit!
E(again)TA: When I was very young, we had a lovey red dachshund called Merrygold.

 

[Goldenstar]

Think of keeping your neck into the back of your collar then lift your chin .

 

[Marigold4]

That's interesting, Marigold.


It might well be a whole-body thing. I mean, why on earth do any of us want to look at the horse's crest??
ETA: And good on you for breaking the habit!
E(again)TA: When I was very young, we had a lovey red dachshund called Merrygold.

I like "Merrygold". Perhaps I should change my user name! Although not feeling very merry at the mo as last minute cancellation of flight means I'm not now going on holiday

 

[teapot]

Bring your neck back and up - easier to visualise and do with better results ime

 

[stangs]

Thanks all, will have a play around with these suggestions and see what works.

It might well be a whole-body thing. I mean, why on earth do any of us want to look at the horse's crest??

Because the movement's hypnotic, and I like looking at horses, that's why