Muscle use in riding

[daydreamer]

Hi everyone,

I wondered how much other people think about their muscles and positions when they are riding?

I have read some of Mary Wanless’ books and have tried some of the techniques (I think!) in my weekly lessons. Some of the actions seem really odd (e.g. doing odd things with buttock muscles and making sure armpit muscles are solid) and hard work but they do seem to work. Some of the horses I get to ride are schoolmasters and when I do some of these actions you can feel them bring their backs up and work properly in an outline. I can usually only keep the proper positions up for a short time though.

None of my instructors ever seem to be very specific about which muscles to use etc and I am too embarrassed to ask them if I am doing the right thing.

I just wondered if anyone had any thoughts on this. Am I making things too complicated? Is it just a case of sitting there and applying the right aids or do riders need to think and apply different muscles??

 

[johnsongreyhorse]

Hi there, yes I do, and my instructor is specific about which muscles to use although it's not always easy

, keep at it and you will get stronger and will be able keep it up for longer, (sorry that sounds rude - not meant to!)

, don't be embarassed to ask your instructors and if they don't seem to know/be interested perhaps change instructor? Does that make sense? have had a couple of glasses of wine so feel a little fuddled, sorry.

 

[metalmare]

If you spend enough time in the saddle, sitting correctly and working hard, i.e. doing lots of sitting trot and riding a horse that really needs riding the muscles will starts to develop themselves, in my experience. I have read Mary Wanless, although not in detail, and I found that riding had shaped my body in such a way as to make it possible to use the required muscles. When I first had a horse on loan I literally watched my muscles grow over a couple of months, particularly in the inner thigh, which is very useful when you are riding bareback and the horse starts bucking! Remember, when you are trying to use these muscles do not allow your body to become tense - you should still be soft, relaxed and supple. A tight muscle is not as effective as a strong but well developed one. Exercises off the horse should help - sit ups are brilliant!

 

[daydreamer]

hi guys,

thanks for the replies. It is good to know I'm not heading off in totally the wrong direction. I think I will have to discipline myself to more off the horse exercises as I can only afford to ride once a week :-/

I got some money for christmas and am thinking of blowing it all on riding lessons, having one every day for 5 days, maybe that will help!