jumping position/sticking one arm out

[JoshuaR97]

I seem to have a problem when I go over a jump I stick my elbow out.. Not really sure why but I'm not sure how I can teach myself to stop doing it and keep it by my side..its just my left elbow that I broke and had surgery on and will again soon but just see in pictures I've always sticking it out:/

 

[Red-1]

I guess it is either a confidence thing, where you don't want to let go, or a habit, which may have started in a number of ways.

Either way, telling yourself not to do it is likely to be unproductive. It is better to tell yourself what to do.

I would get a small grid, maybe 3 X poles at one stride apart, and have you popping down and down, so it is routine. Then give you other stuff to do, such as reach up the neck. Once you are stable enough I would knot the reins and have a bit of fun with folding arms, doing the "YMCA", hands on knees and whatever other silly things. Then back to hands in a more normal place, but still without reins. Once that was all OK, then resume with the reins.

When training Police riders we had to do all sorts over a grid of 5 fences, including reading a paper, taking a jacket off, putting it on, removing the stirrups and holding them aloft and removing the saddle and holding it aloft. I would not do that privately (not sure the BHS insurance would like THAT if there were a mishap!!!), but doing smaller scale exercises is a real boost to confidence.

I would start slowly with a single X pole and work it up from there according to horse and rider capabilities and confidence. By putting new moves into the jump you are reprogramming the old muscle memory, and allowing new habits to form.

 

[Goldenstar]

At least it's only one I do both !
My elbows are very very wayward .

 

[Shaznchaz]

Whilst I do agree with Red-1, I would also mention that you should probably talk to your doctor about it. If it is only the elbow you had surgery on, this would suggest to me that there is something mechanical not quite right, especially if further surgery is planned. If that is the case, it may be detrimental for you to try and force a change of habit, resulting in more harm. As long as you are giving enough with the reins and in balance it wouldn't bother me too much until everything was sorted out with the elbow.