Tips on how to sit up!!

[applestroodle]

Ok I have a really bad habit of not sitting up and it is driving me mad. That is what all instructors seem to say to me, sit up sit up!! I try and try so hard and feel like I am sitting up but must not be enough. I think I have adopted this (Safety) position from a mare I used to have that was a bit unpredictable but my new horse carries his head high so I really am going to end up with two black eyes and a burst nose. Any tips would be so much appreciated and I am trying to have lots of self discipline at home even out hacking. I thought it was unfitness but have started running in the attempt to sit up, its getting me down!!

 

[H's mum]

When you're riding, think "lean back"
You will then probably go vertical although you will think that you're actually leaning backwards!

Eventually that position will feel normal for you!
Kate x

 

[carthorse]

Schooling whip behind your back and though your elbows , if you see what I mean

 

[stencilface]

Shoulders back and t*ts out!

What saddle do you ride on? If I do slow hacking in my jumping saddle gives me a bad back, and makes me tilt forwards, whereas in my dressage saddle I find it far easier (and more comfortable) to sit up properly.

If you really struggle though, I think there are some sort of posture enhancers you can buy for horse riding that go around your shoulders, (under your clothes) to make you sit up properly, and are also helpful for your posture

 

[Grey_Showjumper]

agree ^^^
i do this except i drop my head, alot..
i MAKE myself find points to look at, it also makes me sit up- so a tree or a post or something...

 

[mik]

Try to push your tummy forwards from your hips, practice it on a chair. Also make sure you saddle fits you and nag and is comfy. Try to get video of yourself riding and analyse what you do and when.
A good instructor shouldn't just keep saying sit up, but should explain, why, how and when you curl and how to uncurl and monitor yourself.
You look a very competent jumper so I'm sure you have a good sense of balance, it may just need readjusting so upright begins to feel 'right' again.
I curl up when I feel a horse is going to do something strange, trip to misbehave, and I do this as a reaction to a bad back condition, so I know what you mean about the mare.
Just keep at it and get your trainer to explain exactly what is happening.
Good luck.

 

[ester]

for some reason sit up never worked for my mum but look up does!

 

[Sessle]

[ QUOTE ]
When you're riding, think "lean back"
You will then probably go vertical although you will think that you're actually leaning backwards!

Eventually that position will feel normal for you!

[/ QUOTE ]

Ditto this! When I was at college my instructor was always shouting this at me!!

 

[FigJam]

Not qualified to advise I'm afraid although concentrating on looking up and forwards should help bring your shoulders up more? Was this something raised in your lesson today? How'd it go?

PS- your boy is super cute, watched a couple figure-8 exercises when we arrived before I needed to go tack up.

 

[millitiger]

my trainer tells me to ride like a prostitute!
boobs out and shoulders back.

it really works although not a mantra to repeat out loud in the warm up.

 

[dressager]

I found sit up and shoulders back can make me stiffen. Instead I found visualisation helps me more, I try and imagine I'm a top dressage rider (couldn't be further from the truth mind!). As whichever one you picture will help you to imagine riding more through your core, breathing more up and out and then your shoulders should naturally be in the right place too. Do it on the lunge without stirrups and reins to help you feel how your core secures your positon. It needs to become more of a feeling without you having to think about it too much.

 

[charlie76]

Rather than think sit back, think about opening the shoulders, this will make you sit up without tensing.
It really does work, my instructor has been working on my postion in this way and this is the difference:

Last year- don't laugh!!

This year

What a difference a new instructor makes!

ETA: I have to work really hard to keep this position but eventually is starts to feel normal.

 

[Jingleballs]

I have a habit of tipping forward sometimes/being pulled forward by pony - I focus on having a strong upper body but without being tense - always look up ahead of you as that will help. I think of having my contact right from my shoulders rather from just my hands and that seems to automatically make me sit up straigher.

 

[Stoxx]

QR -

Try sitting up in a chair and then feel as if you are lengthening your diaphragm, so making your stomach 'longer', then think of making your neck longer and hey presto you've just added about 4 inches to your height!

It's hard work though!

 

[Kat]

It depends a bit on where in your body the problem is, round shoulders? tipping from the hip? slouchy rounded back? And that is where a good instructor comes in.

I'd try Pilates/yoga/alexander technique to improve your posture generally and strengthen your core so that you find sitting straight easier.

In terms of what works as a mantra/visualisation you need to try a few and see what sticks in your mind really. One of my favorites was an instructor who said lift your Ts, when she was teaching kids it was the three Ts - teeth, tummy and toes. For the more adult it was 5 Ts Teeth, Tits, tummy, T**t and Toes!

With all five it really gets you looking up, lengthening your diaphragm and sitting on your bum!

Thinking about sitting up straight tends to make you stiffen, so try to think about lengthening your stomach and pushing your hips forward instead.