Position help please

TJ&Ozzie

TJ&Ozzie

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15 September 2011
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Colchester, Essex
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I am utterly mortified having ridden the Newmarket Heath ride at the weekend and seen the photos. I look terrible!
I have a lovely TB to ride these days who is an absolute star, he is 23 and has been there and done it. This is the first time I have seen photos of me on him and I am really upset. I am now a purely happy hacker having spent a good 15 years doing PC stuff on my old pony. Now I've seen these photos I really don't ever want to ride again as I have clearly lost the nack.

Please only give constructive advice.... yes I know me loosing weight will help and I am doing something about that. Have lost over half a stone and still loosing on the Weight Watchers scheme. My old boy hasn't been schooled for years so I am not sure about having lessons on him.

If anyone can give me some help I would be greatful as I feel very low about the whole thing :( Please excuse the facial expressions in the photos, we were all chatting!

http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!...558240337.1565253765.675433645&type=1&theater

http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!...655.447960.720442654.675433645&type=1&theater

http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/photo.php?fbid=4484935612561&set=t.675433645&type=1&theater

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?....455441513645.236392.675433645&type=3&theater
 
You look like you Were having a good time so don't let the poor posture concern detract from that. Now you've been made aware of it from the pictures you will probably start to self correct anyhow. can you have some lessons to help you. I use Alexander technique to help me stay aware of my posture as I collapse to the left and am very right sided. :)
 
You just need to improve your posture, I have the same problem! :rolleyes:
Just get some lessons and get someone to film you then watch it back, it helps a lot! and you dont look terrible at all! I've seen a lot worse!
 
Videos and pictures are fantastic for correcting yourself as you will now be aware of it. Also mirrors if possible.

I'm inclined to say that if it's working for you and your horse... carry on having fun and don't give up because of posture! If you aren't keen on lessons, why not ask one of your friends to comment on how you're leaning when out? I know they aren't likely to be qualified, but most people will tell if you're very wonky or not :)

Pan
 
First things first: check if your stirrups are level :) If they are, you need to concentrate on putting equal amount of weight in both of them, and watching that you sit in the middle of the saddle.
To be honest, you don't look too bad, and I suppose a chiro/physio or such would help you, you are collapsing to one side, so the important bit is to sort out your straightness.
 
How do you find the saddle? I find some of them put me into a much worse position than others although I know changing that is an expensive option!

Also play about with stirrup length. You might not necessarily need to do schooling but someone to video you on the ground might help and you can concentrate on it whilst on hacks.. Believe me I hate watching video of myself! It does help though, I think you are just slouching and tilted to one side for some reason but its not that bad and certainly no reason not to ride! You are just hacking not doing dressage and I'm sure the horse doesn't really care if you ride upside down if you want to!

I always find I feel like I am leaning back when trying to correct myself, then when I watch video I am actually STILL leaning forward (damn slouchy shoulders) its all getting used to it!

Also very well done losing weight, every time I see picture or video I'm like NOO diet immediately! Riding is just not that flattering!
 
The photos are grand! It's just your posture is off. It's very easy to collapse to the side unless you have someone watching you and correcting. Lessons would sort it out in no time.
 
Thanks everyone - feeling a tad better now. Going to see if an instructor friend will come over and give me a few pointers I think.

It was such a great day and to then have photos I hate made feel very glum :(
 
Firstly...don't beat yourself up-its not that bad- you just seem to be collapsing on one hip. I do it. I'm aware of it and it still happens although Im trying to sort it out. I got my daughter to take some photos of me in my best riding position so I could analyse what was going on. OMG. Praise be the delete button:o

I don't have lessons- I should, but finding the time would be difficult so my new bible is Ride with your Mind- it has great exercises for sorting out your seat and position and although there are days when I wonder what the hell I've doing for the last 30 years and feeling like I shouldn't be allowed anywhere near a horse it is sinking in and I'm improving.:)

Out of interest- do you get a stiff back after riding? I do/did- and its improved immensely now my position is better.
 
To me you just look like you need to sit up and sit taller, like someone is pulling you up from the top of your head.

I have seen people that sit slightly crooked and it is sometimes to do with your actual body position, i.e your out of line slightly, maybe one hip is higher than the other and you may need to see a physio or chyropracter (sorry not spelt like that! lol!) to re- aline you :)

I agree with what the others have said if you dont want lessons, ask friends that ride out with you to help with your position, look in house windows (reflection) etc as you go past to check your position.

Or maybe have one lesson to get the tips and assessment then go and practice yourself :)

either way you look like you were having a great time, and we ALL have some sort of issue when we ride, so dont beat yourself up, and horsey is gorg btw :D
 
I think that I am going to be super paranoid now I have been made aware of it so hopefully I can do something about it.

Thanks Kateandspotlight I am so pleased with how he looks at the moment, doesn't look or act his age :)
 
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