Position Advice

[Grey_Arab]

Not sure if this is the right place to put this but never mind... I have a problem (probably not he only one) where I tip forward onto my knees, anyone any ideas how i can help/ stop this. I do try and keep my heels down, but I just wondered whether there was anything else I could do??

 

[Judie]

Loads of work without stirrups, sit on your seat bones more and turn your knee out.

 

[KatB]

Stp trying so hard! if you force your heels down, your leg will tense, and your knee will grip to compensate. Let your lets hang, and as already said, lots of work without stirrups!

 

[Baggybreeches]

I have the same ongoing battle! My instructor periodically pulls my stirrups up to flat jockey length and makes me trot and canter round like a jockey with my shoulders lower than my bum, it sounds difficult but it really works and it is so good for reinforcing the leg position and making you stay behind your horses movement.

PS No pain No gain

 

[BID]

I used to do this and I got a friend to occasionally lunge me so I could focus on my position while she was on the ground to keep my horse going in a nice forward rythm. It helped stop me clamping with my legs, relax my knee and use my seat more and strengthen my stomach and back muscles. My horse can be quite lazy so this was also a factor when I got tired. Might be worth a try.

 

[Tempi]

definately agree with the lunging advice, but you need a good teacher to get the most out of you in a lunge lesson, not just getting a friend to lunge your horse whilst you sit on it! shame you're not near me as i give a mean lunge lesson!!!!

 

[BID]

Yeah I agree the friend I used was very experienced, so an instructor is probably the best bet but if thats not possible it must be someone that is experienced.

 

[katiejaye]

a good instructor to advise you as there could be many reasons why this is happenind. I used to tip forward onto me knees too when schooling and a had an ongoing battle and much frustration getting my legs straight. It wasn't until I got a good trainer that he pointed out that my saddle was actually the problem and was tipping me foward. I now have a new saddle and a new and improved position...the knee problem is now a thing of the past!

 

[Tempi]

exactly the same for me, when i first went to Kay she said my saddle was making me tip forwards and grip with my knees (i was getting 6's for my position) now in my new saddle i can sit up straight and ride from my seat properly (and i get 8s for my position at elementary!)

 

[josephinebutter2]

Parisienne Girl - what saddle do you have now then?

I find that - when I do dressage in by GP I get 1-2 marks lower than when in my dressage saddle!

I also ride 3-4 holes longer in my D saddle!

 

[ss1]

Make sure you keep your knees relaxed. You shouldn't push your heel down, your foot should rest in the stirrup to allow you to sit on your seat bones. Also make sure that you keep your shoulders back, you can't pivot on your knees if they are relaxed and you are sitting up straight with your shoulders back.