Tipping forward in rising trot?

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horsegirl

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HI all,

I have bought a new dressage saddle and I find that I am being tipped forward in rising trot. I got my husband to film me riding yesterday and also noticed that my lower legs are swinging around a lot too. I don't think my stirrups are too long, any ideas?
 
What make is the saddle and does it sit slightly forward on the horse? I had a saddle that tipped me forward was horrible.
 
Not heard of them tipping riders forward, but it does depend on the horse. Maybe it needs time to settle, Hattie's new saddle took about 6 weeks before it settled and I was comfortable with it.
 
Ah that might explain it, the isabell has its stirrup bars about 2 inches further back (my caprilli was the same) I just could not get along with it it made my legs shoot back, the wintec pro is v similar to the isabell but has a less deep seat and the stirrup bars in the normal place, I sold this saddle to get the caprilli and totally regret it, watching one on Ebay at the moment they seem to be going at around the £200 mark.
 
I had this problem with my saddle but mine just needed a little re-stuffing at the front
smile.gif
 
Do you tip in other saddles or is it just this one? I take it that you had it properly fitted?

I might be that you are using different muscles, I ride in a jump saddle mainly, however I had a lesson on a schoolmaster who had a vsd saddle on and OMG did I get cramp! I was obviously using muscles I hadnt used before.

I would say that the lower leg swinging might indicate a weakness, I might be tempted to notch your stirrups up a couple of holes. I would also try a little bit of work with out - just walking around and a bit of trot maybe and then take back your stirrups - this will help lenghten your leg.

Regarding the tipping forwards is the seat of the saddle horizontal? If it is then you need to really try and sit up.

Hb
 
I don't have this problem in my GP saddle and I don't think my legs swing around either I will have to get hubby to film me rigin in that and have a look.
 
By the nature of the Isabel you balance will have been altered due to, as someone else has pointed out, the placement of the stirrup bars which are set further back. This will have brought your thigh further under your hip and I would imagine upset your balance.

Worth trying your stirrups up a hole until you become more used to the position the saddle puts you in, also do some walk work without stirrups to familiarse your muscles with the longer, further back position.

I too have a habit of rounding my shoulders and tipping foward in rising trot, my dressage trainer has told me to think of pushing my hip bones through my hands when I rise, this has done wonders for me, it is impossible to do unless your shoulders are back, it has also made me feel longer in the leg with more weight in my heel. So simple but much more effective than her saying "put your heels down and shoulders back"

Keep perservering with saddle I am sure you will get used to it.
 
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