Suddenly bouncing in canter ?

[EternalVetBills]

Bit of an odd one today; I've been riding most of my life, around 20 years, have evented at BE 100 until I had a nasty fall and dressaged up to elementary. I grew up riding whatever Mum could grab the cheapest from the sales and have always been an effective, if slightly messy, unrefined rider. I now ride and produce horses for a living.

Recently though (in the last week or so) I've started bouncing in the canter. I'm finding it extremely hard to plug in and have started losing my stirrups. This is happening on all of the horses I'm riding, so I know it's me.

I used to have a dreadful habit of tipping forwards, I have mostly fixed this but it can rear it's ugly head at times. My thighs are relaxed and I have an incredibly secure (maybe slightly tense at times?) lower leg position, very level not jammed down. I have felt my hips are quite tight lately, so maybe that could be contributing?

I will obviously talk with my instructor about this too, but she's not due for a couple more weeks so I thought I'd ask here. My Mum also rides but annoyingly is one of those fabulously natural riders that just doesn't understand the struggles us mere mortals go through, so can't ask her.

Sadly no videos, but I would appreciate any advice/input that anyone may have. Happy to look at physio/chiro/whatever and obviously am doing lots of no stirrups

TIA

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I would go and have some lessons on a simulator it improved my riding so much, I had an accident that really altered my position like you I was tilting and not sitting on my bum, I knew it wasn't right but couldn't work out how to fix it, within 5 minutes the lady teaching me could see what I was doing and corrected it.

The one I use was in Bedford but she is in Peterborough now I don't know if this is near you at all? If not just have a Google you can find someone near you.

 

[SpotsandBays]

Maybe an old injury is flaring up and you’re compensating somewhere which is causing the issues elsewhere? Might be worth getting yourself checked out, physio or Osteo?

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

It sounds as if you would benefit from some physio. I was in a car accident and suffered whiplash. I went for simulator lessons which helped somewhat but then I came off my horse and had a trapped nerve in my neck. I really struggled to sit properly to canter, even on RS horses (mine was in rehab) Eventually I had physio and that made such a difference.

 

[EternalVetBills]

I would go and have some lessons on a simulator it improved my riding so much, I had an accident that really altered my position like you I was tilting and not sitting on my bum, I knew it wasn't right but couldn't work out how to fix it, within 5 minutes the lady teaching me could see what I was doing and corrected it.

The one I use was in Bedford but she is in Peterborough now I don't know if this is near you at all? If not just have a Google you can find someone near you.

I normally go to Quob for my simulator lessons, but they've only just started doing them again. Thank you, you've reminded me that I must book in!

Maybe an old injury is flaring up and you’re compensating somewhere which is causing the issues elsewhere? Might be worth getting yourself checked out, physio or Osteo?

It could well be an old injury, I fractured a vertebra and dislocated my pelvis coming off about a year or two ago.

It sounds as if you would benefit from some physio. I was in a car accident and suffered whiplash. I went for simulator lessons which helped somewhat but then I came off my horse and had a trapped nerve in my neck. I really struggled to sit properly to canter, even on RS horses (mine was in rehab) Eventually I had physio and that made such a difference.

Thank you everyone, I will find a physio. I've recently moved area so any recommendations for a good physio near the Burgess Hill/Haywards Heath area would be greatly appreciated

 

[Goldenstar]

Go to a physio and have a sports massage

 

[Trouper]

As someone with a long history of back "issues", I know how even the slightest flare up or tightness can have me struggling to stay flexible. My physio often points out things that even I have not noticed as the stiffening can be so slight but enough to throw things out. So - yes - good advice on here. Physio (and massage) would be my first port of call.

 

[Errin Paddywack]

I had a spell of not being able to flex through my middle and couldn't sit to the trot. That was a sacroiliac problem. Massage sorted it.

 

[Myloubylou]

Just started equipilates which is eye opening how stuck I am moving my pelvis & spine. I do short sequence of movements on a Swiss ball every day & feel I am more with her rather than on her. Want to try Franklin method next