"Sit up straight you look like a sack of potatoes!"

M

Muffin61

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Any tips on sitting up straight when riding

I hear it all the time when riding in the school, “sit up straight” (especially when trotting) but I find it difficult to know exactly what sitting up straight is as you can’t see yourself when riding. Is there any magic way to know when you are exactly in the correct position?
I do understand why this position should be sought but it’s very frustrating when I’m not sure when I’ve got it right which I’m sure I do now and again.
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What I would do is ask a friend to film you riding a couple of times. Hopefully getting you in both the correct and incorrect position. I do this quite often if I'm having issues with anything that is a bit more difficult to see from onboard and find it invaluable.

Another good thing is to ask your instructor to really point out when you getting it right, then you are instantly aware and can conciously think of how it feels which makes it much easier to repeat.
 
When someone calls this it generally refers to your upper body position, so should be easy enough to be aware of yourself.

You should always feel like your tummy is elongated fully when riding. It should never be collapsed or slouched. Lots of people collapse through their backs and tummies sitting almost as if they were on a chair (back rounds slightly, frequently they sit to the back of the saddles and then stick their legs out infront in almost a bracing position).

Make sure your tummy is pulled upwards and feel as though there is a piece of string coming diagonally out of your chest and pulling you towards the ceiling. Keep your shoulders back and your upper frame open. Look up and carry your own hands. Dont let them sneak low and either rest on the withers or hover over them with your upper body. The elbow should have a strong bend and the hands be high enough to carry a tray from the elbow to the wrists without it sliding off.

Try some lunging lessons where you can purely focus on what you're being told to do rather than the horse. Also, ASK the teacher exactly what she means if you're unsure. Shes there to help and can explain your faults much better than people on a forum who have never seen you ride
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Imagining a piece of string pulling upwards on the top of your hat always helped me and look up and where you are going. if you aren't used to it it may feel like you are leaning back, when you probably aren't. So in a twisted way, if it feels wrong (to begin with) it's probably right!

My non-PC instructor always used to shout at me to "stick your tits out"!!

otherwise, ditto others - video and lunge lessons!
 
Shoulders back, chest out, over exaggerate to begin with until you get the idea and think tall, the comment about the string should also help
 
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Quote : "stick your tits out"

LOL!!!

That always works well for me

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Yep, same here! But if you want to be polite you could say ''Headlights on''!
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My even less polite instructer refers to the 4Ts - Teeth, Tits, Tummy and T**t!
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If all 4 are lifted and facing the way you are going you should be sorted, she also says that you should be holding your core like you are trying to squeeze out a fart!!
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Rude analogies always work best for me!!
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I have had this sort of comment from my instructor (the wife).

As you are also a gentleman rider, the tits and tw*t comment don't quite apply, but if you roll your hips forward, a little at a time until the family jewels are just getting uncomfortable on the pommel of your saddle, you will find that around that point is a position where you are able to straighten your back and belly, as described by 'the ladies'. As a bonus, you will also find that your legs are pushed back a little, which should allow your heels, hips and shoulders to line up.

How long you can stay in that position and whether you are comfortable is the subject for another discussion, but you should be 'lookin good'.
 
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