Leaning too heavy on one side

[Mahoganybay]

Does anyone have any tips on how I can correct myself. I know it’s me, I’m really dominant on my right hand side, to the extent that my right stirrup leather looks longer and I’m ‘loosing’ my left foot in the stirrup. It’s more noticeable in canter and I’m struggling to keep my weight down in my left leg.

My trainer does not have this issue riding my horse, so it’s not the horse or saddle doing it, it’s me and I don’t want to make my horse sore.

Ive been doing Pilates to try and help, wondered if I should she a chiropractor and have been researching Franklin Balls?

 

[meleeka]

Definitely a chiropractor. They will help straighten you up. Also try no stirrups if you can. A friend is wonky because of an old injury and she’s perfectly balanced if she has one stirrup longer than the other (as recommended by chiro and instructor).

 

[Wheels]

Step 1 is that you've noted the issue which is very important as you can monitor it.

Chiro / physio for you, continue with the pilates and a few sessions of stretching and strengthening exercises. Take a look in the mirror and properly look at your assymetries and postural issues. You can find lots exercises on youtube and the likes to work on certain areas.

If you can afford it get a few sessions with a PT or similar that has good knowledge on biomechanics.

Recheck your posture every few weeks and make relevant changes.

I would also employ a good biomechanics riding coach, lunge lessons, mechanical horse, equi pilates and those sorts of things are also very useful

 

[Trinket12]

I have this problem, I have sciatica on my right side and am 'shorter' on the right because of it. I started doing more regular yoga back in Jan and Dressage Rider Training on You Tube have good short sessions that are for specific areas (hip opening etc.) I try and do a routine before a lesson and the next day after my lesson. I have definitely noticed a difference in being more equal. It's also preferable to when I have had to go to physio and have them stick needles in the muscle to relax it

 

[hobo]

As a wonky rider myself if you are falling to the right try and look over your left shoulder that should straighten you up.

 

[thefarsideofthefield]

Most people have a natural inclination to twist to one side .If you twist to the left your weight will be in your right leg and your left knee will come up . Think of pushing your left hip forwards as you sit in walk and canter and as you rise in trot , and this will straighten your whole body and put your weight equally in each leg. If you just concentrate on straightening your shoulders you will inevitably still twist through the pelvis .

 

[daffy44]

Keep doing the pilates, it will help long term, but the person you need to see is Andy Thomas, he is a genius physio, who has developed a system which is incredible for al riders, especially one sided riders. Have a look at his website www.testt.co.uk, he does clinics all over the country, his facebook page is eventphysio. I have no affiliation with him, but I've used him myself and sent clients to him, and he is outstanding, and also very nice and approachable.

 

[Mahoganybay]

Thank you so much everyone for your replies. Lots of things to try ?

 

[Mahoganybay]

Keep doing the pilates, it will help long term, but the person you need to see is Andy Thomas, he is a genius physio, who has developed a system which is incredible for al riders, especially one sided riders. Have a look at his website www.testt.co.uk, he does clinics all over the country, his facebook page is eventphysio. I have no affiliation with him, but I've used him myself and sent clients to him, and he is outstanding, and also very nice and approachable.

A bit of fate is at work here, as he is doing a clinic near me on the 13th August. Just booked on ?

 

[daffy44]

A bit of fate is at work here, as he is doing a clinic near me on the 13th August. Just booked on ?

Oh thats fantastic! Andy will help you so much, enjoy.