Student survey on handedness and its effect on the ridden horse

filled it in - interesting topic. What are you doing for the rest of the investigation?
 
The dissertation title is Prevalence of handedness in riders and its effect on pelvic rotation in the ridden horse. The rest of the research involves looking at groups of left and right handed riders and taking measurement on pelvic misalignment from their horses. Horse and rider combinations have to have been working together for a minimum of 6 months to allow influence to occur and the horse can have only been trained by that one rider for the whole 6 months as well.
 
Done. I hardly ever do these to be honest as I find them a bit samey, but this one's a good topic. I'm a lefty, I've always found handedness interesting as a result, always look at which hand people use and which 'hand' horses use as well! My lad is an extreme righty, I'm an extreme lefty, you'd think that would balance us out but unfortunately it doesn't because my left hand is rigid and my right is flapping about all over the shop, whereas he just doesn't like the left rein! Will look forward to the results - will you pop back OP when you've completed this, and give us an overview?
 
Done.

I wasn't sure which reason to put my assymetry down to (right stirrup longer) but it's because my right leg is slightly longer than my left! Which you would think would then make me symmetrical, but it doesn't!
 
I had to get hold of a pair of scissors and a knife to work out which hand I use! Hope people at work don't think I'm about to go on a mad rampage.

I think a lot of asymmetry may well be skeletal/muscular so internal factors rather than external.
 
Done! Really interesting topic, my asymmetry drives me insane when I'm riding.
Please do report back on your findings! (And PM me if you want a test subject!!)
 
I'd also be interested in the findings

I don't think my (right) handedness affects my basic position really - I sit straight etc but I do think it affects my feel - I am a lot more sensitive and capable of making much more precise changes/movements with the right side of my body.

My horse's poorer rein was his right when we started but it has actually become his better rein - presumably because that is my stronger side.
 
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I have right sided weakness due to illness and injury but strangely it is my left side that appears totally incompetent! This has been especially telling when bring on a young horse and have been taught to compensate for it. I would also be interested in the findings.
 
Done! I know I'm a bit Asymetrical (sp), i have a trapped nerve in my right shoulder. I'm aware of it, and i actively try to make it better.
 
Thank you all for some interesting input and different perspectives on symmetry. I will certainly post the results once I have them and I am looking for participants to take part in the second section in the Essex, Kent or Cambridgeshire area. Especially extreme lefties.
 
Dammit! I'm oop north (Wales, that is) so too far away, otherwise I would have fit the criteria completely... I'm such an extreme lefty that I may as well have no right, with the exception of using it for scissors and a computer mouse. I do have to open and close my mouth in time with the action of the scissors when I'm using them, which apparently is amusing.

Good luck with it OP!
 
Thanks to everyone who has filled in the survey so far. I still need some more so if anyone else can spare no more than 5 minutes it is appreciated
 
As a natural born lefty and daughter of a lefty mother I found this really interesting. Had to actually go and pick up a broom to answer that bit!! I try very hard to be assume tribal as possible when riding but now you come to mention it, all my rides have been a little heavier on their left rein. Is this anything to do with my dominant hand I wonder?
 
Done. Another that would be interested in the final results :) I know I'm wonky as I have SI joint issues. My horse is stiff to the same side as I am, which is also my preferred hand :p Riding with no stirrups really helps me to feel when we're both straight.
Think I'll mention this to my physio friend as she treats us both ;)
 
Thanks everyone who as filled in the survey so far. I will post my findings for those who are interested, but not till sometime in September when the work is complete.
 
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