Scoliosis of the spine, rider not horse.

[Firewell]

Does anyone have this? Apparently I do and I never realised! No wonder I find it hard to sit straight in the saddle. My spine curves to the right which is why I find riding on the left rein so much easier than the right rein.
If you have it what do you do to remain as straight as possible. What discipline do you ride in (higher levels of dressage must be hard). Do you get any treatment for it to help or any exercises? I am wondering if anyone else struggles with this like I do. Thanks

 

[burtie]

I have severe double curvature. It was severe enough to spend 5 years of childhood in a full body brace to prevent to getting life debilitating. A double curvature is actually a bit better in my case as it evenly balanced left to right! My main issue is more the twist, my whole rid cage is twisted significantly to one side. I don't get too carried away with trying to sit straight as it's basically impossible, so I try to minimise the effect on the horse. I focus on the 3 point seat, even weight and placement of the hips and even weight in the stirrups. I also focus of even contact on each rein. I often get a lower rider mark because I'm a bit hunched int he saddle and tip and look like I'm tipping sometimes, but other wise it has really effected me. I have taken my own horse ridden only by me up to Medium level dressage with limited lessons. He would have easily done Advanced Medium but I gave up work and had a child so ran out of spare money for competing and lessons!

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

Find a good physio, chiropractor, or osteopath, and get them to give you a professional assessment.

Also think about doing stuff like Yoga or Pilates which will help you as well.

And don't forget about getting physio treatment for your horse as well: if the rider is crooked then so the horse is very likely to be as well, and BOTH need treatment, as well as perhaps a good remedial saddle-fitter too.

 

[burtie]

Find a good physio, chiropractor, or osteopath, and get them to give you a professional assessment.

Also think about doing stuff like Yoga or Pilates which will help you as well.

And don't forget about getting physio treatment for your horse as well: if the rider is crooked then so the horse is very likely to be as well, and BOTH need treatment, as well as perhaps a good remedial saddle-fitter too.

I would like to point out a physio, chiro or osteopath, won't 'fix' scoliosis if it's genetic developmental rather that poor posture as you get older!
They may be able to help with any pain (I'm lucky in that I don't have any) and prevent it worsening and Pilates is very good for core strength and making sure you don't make it worse with posture, but if you are an adult and have a have a bendy spine you cannot change that without surgery and that's best avoided if at all possible.

 

[Leg_end]

I do (as well as a leg length difference) and have started to struggle with it as we start training at the higher dressage levels purely because I can't make my body move in the way a 'normal' person would. I've had to adapt the best way I can to ride the lateral work but my trainer is pretty good at helping me muddle through. I get me and pony treated by the same chiro team to make sure we're even (well as even as I can be &#128514.