Is there a good contraption to help keep rider's shoulders back?

kerilli

kerilli

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it's my biggest problem, and the moment i start thinking about everything else, it's the first thing that goes! tried my oldsportabac one on Sunday, was in absolute agony after 2 hours (i.e. 2 tests), couldn't find a position to stop it hurting like hell, still have the marks on me now!
so, is there something else? a type of sports bra or something that might help? any suggestions gratefully received... other than "learn to ride better"!
 
I do this as well, im quite tall and always round my shoulders
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but I do find I warm up with them round put always sit up tall when I do my test, something must just tell me when I need to do it!

I watched one of Pippas vids and she put a broom stick (short) behind someones arms whilst riding to make them sit up tall!
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Only reccomended on something well behaved though!!
 
i've tried that and it makes me much too stiff, just can't do it.
trouble is, my mare struggles on the left rein and makes me collapse my left shoulder even more, which makes her worse, etc etc. am hunting about on amazon and google for shoulder braces at the moment!
 
hi Ouija_Board, yes, have tried AT, only tried pilates once, should go and find a local place that does it.
the trouble is that the moment i start thinking about everything else as i ride, my shoulders revert to forward. it's been a problem since i was a kid, very annoying. on the flat, when i'm concentrating on where i'm going, what to do next, how the horse feels, how much i have in my hand, how much leg the horse will accept, how much bend to ask for, etc etc etc etc etc, it gets really bad. the more novicey or difficult the horse, the more i collapse - rubbish, really, the last thing they need!
am going to try this thingy in desperation, try to make it more of a habit for my shoulders to stay where they should.
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I have exactly the same problem.
I am also tall and do slightly round my shoulders (although as holly_Jane says i do seem to sit up more in a test!) My left shoulder is worst as when i am on my lef rein i can not get it up and back as in to turn it in on a cricle.

Shall be interested in the responses!
 
This is going to sound like a weird response to a shoulder question. I'm also tall with a long back and tend to round my shoulders, my horse is also stiff on the left rein and I tend to collapse my body on the left rein and the shoulders get worse. What my trainer has been working on is my hips!! making sure my inside hip is forward on turns and circles on both reins. Strangely enough by making sure my inside hip is forward it sorts out the rest of me. Makes me sit up and bring the shoulders to where they should be. I feel like I'm learning to ride again but horse is going much softer on both reins. I now think about riding circles from my inside hip to outside rein.
 
Try using a tail bandage in a figure of eight position over your shoulders and back - it is a bit more forgiving than a shoulders back (less chaffing (sp?)) and more suggests for the shoulders to go back into position. I used this rather than a shoulders back after I broke my collar bone last year as the latter rubbed like hell...
 
Have you tried any core-stability exercises? By strengthening your abdominal muscles will give you a stronger riding position which will enable you to have more balance in the saddle and hence should make you sit better and be much more effective! There are lots of useful ex's you can do on the floor and on a gym ball!
PM me if you want some more details!!
 
i'll try the hip forward thing now, definitely! thanks for that one.
bumblingabout, my core's pretty good really, i have a rowing machine, and a 6-pack to prove it!
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seriously though, my shoulders have always always been a problem. will get out the gym ball and have another go though... thanks. will pm you because anything else might help!
 
[ QUOTE ]
This is going to sound like a weird response to a shoulder question. I'm also tall with a long back and tend to round my shoulders, my horse is also stiff on the left rein and I tend to collapse my body on the left rein and the shoulders get worse. What my trainer has been working on is my hips!! making sure my inside hip is forward on turns and circles on both reins. Strangely enough by making sure my inside hip is forward it sorts out the rest of me. Makes me sit up and bring the shoulders to where they should be. I feel like I'm learning to ride again but horse is going much softer on both reins. I now think about riding circles from my inside hip to outside rein.

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I second this... as I've recently found out, your hips and the muscles surrounding them play a HUGE part in your posture!
 
Kerilli - you sound SO much like me in this respect (not claiming to be at all similar to you in other ways - you are WAY out of my league
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). I spend all my time trying to get my 5yo off her forehand, but at the same time I'm not holding up my end of the bargain and making it so much harder for her
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I've always been slightly round shouldered, mostly I think through being taller than my peers when growing up and being self conscious about it, but since I did my collar bone it is actually painful to drop and roll back my shoulders
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I have been riding with Partoow's advice ringing in my ears of sliding the shoulder blades together and down the back, and to imagine that you are riding with a helium balloon in each hand, with the elbows close to your sides and feeling weighted.

This has helped, but I may cheat and buy a gadget as well
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[ QUOTE ]
my horse is also stiff on the left rein and I tend to collapse my body on the left rein and the shoulders get worse. What my trainer has been working on is my hips!! making sure my inside hip is forward on turns and circles on both reins. Strangely enough by making sure my inside hip is forward it sorts out the rest of me. Makes me sit up and bring the shoulders to where they should be.

agree with this if your hip is forward it automatically lifts your body and stops you collapsing in
 
Bounty, i've really tried that, the trouble is that it actually feels really uncomfy for me to put my shoulders where the should be when i'm riding (not so much on the ground, weirdly... prob need to see a physio about that actually), so i need something even more uncomfy if they're not in the right place, i think. apparently i have very big shoulder blades or something.
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i don't think i'm out of anyone's league, if you could see the 2 tests my naughty pair did on Sunday! talk about hysterical. the mare actually went stiff-legged with tension, like a little robot. lovely.
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i try to think that if i SIT UP then the horse can COME UP IN FRONT to meet me. i have been riding young horses for too long i think, trying to be kind and stay off their backs, and ending up collapsing myself onto their forehands... really helpful, not.
thanks for all the advice everyone, much appreciated as always.
 
That's my problem - far too many young/problem horses. When I had space this time I was looking for a dressage schoolmaster that would really show me the ropes and help me iron out all these awful habits that I have gotten into. What did I end up with? ..... another 3yo ex-racer!
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Perhaps there is no hope for me!
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i'll try the hip forward thing now, definitely! thanks for that one.
bumblingabout, my core's pretty good really, i have a rowing machine, and a 6-pack to prove it!
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seriously though, my shoulders have always always been a problem. will get out the gym ball and have another go though... thanks. will pm you because anything else might help!

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Pilates, definitely - try and find one local to you, I really think it'll help. My pilates instructor has got me focusing on widening and lengthening my collar bone, which improves the line of my shoulders and arms. Has taken a long time to get there, as I'm a very natural huncher (and sit at a desk 10 hours a day), but find it much easier now.

Incidentally, a 6 pack doesn't necessarily indicate a strong core! The 6 pack is the upper layer of abs, which are toned through the classic sit up/crunch techniques. A core strength is far deeper - I think the muscle band is known as Transversus Abdominis - and may not necessarily show as the classic toned belly.
Incidentally, it is quite common for very fit people - particularly muscley men! - to have weak core muscles because they only work the top 'six pack' layer.
Not that I'm saying you've not got a strong core, as I'm sure you have! It's just the two don't always go hand in hand.
 
I'm sorry to say that I think these contraptions are a waste of money!!! its far cheaper just to ride with your shoulders back and be tough on yourself- you will soon get used to it and then you could spend the money on something else instead!! sorry I know what I have said may be a tad controversial!

I find it easier to keep my shoulders back if I keep my elbows 'locked' (but still soft and giving) by my side, then I can keep my position still- don't know if that helps you but thats the way I've been taught! good luck!
 
K27, i totally understand what you mean, but i have been working on keeping my shoulders back for years now, concentrating on them all the time when hacking out etc, but it only takes one difficult horse to distract me with 100 things to think about, and i revert straight back to my old habits... very frustrating, to say the least. i need something that actually makes me uncomfy if my shoulders come forward, if there is such a thing.
thanks though, i do understand your point of view!
 
Yeah I completely understand Kerrilli! its hard esp if as you say you are on a difficult horse out hacking!

theres a gap in the market for something like this I think!!

Dont know if they sell something in sports shops?

alternatively you could try using a whip behind your shoulders rather than a broomstick?!- good luck! maybe you could contact some of the clothing manufacturers and see if they can make something!
 
Sportabac do a shoulder brace that's quite good for this problem. My son (who plays tennis) used to borrow it to help his posture. I think I got it from Derby House.
 
Kerilli you'll have to say wether the posture brace thing works as I'm the same (as everyone else seems to be!!!!). I have the added problem of havin broken my right collar bone and let it 'set' in a more rounded position, so it actually hurts if I put it back!!!! And again the riding young ponies all the time!!!
 
Many years ago when I was a little kid I had a few lessons where my instructor made me ride with a whip behind my back. I think it helped although I've now got into the bad habit of riding with hunched shoulders! I'm trying hard to ride with my shoulders back and totally understand how difficult it is to think about that along with everything else especially on a young horse. If you find a wonder solution please let us know!
 
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