What would cause left elbow to stick out? Also where can I find VERY small girths?

Kokopelli

Kokopelli

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I've been constantly reminding myself to keep left elbow in as it straightens my wrist and helps keep Louie straight. It looks like this:
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Is there something else in my position that could be causing it? I know my core is very weak (been improving this) and now sat in a better saddle then when photos were taken so position is better but I seem to be in the habit now.

Also can you super brilliant shoppers help me find a brown 18"/ 20" dressage girth. The only ones I can find that are that diddy are for cub saddles so don't look quite as smart. He was in Andys 24" which was way to big (last holes) went to a 22" which is still to big.

Some exciting news just registered BD with Louie! Mainly for the training but was thinking of doing a prelim on the 21st and was wondering will I look absolutely ridiculous and out of place?
 
Could you put a sheet of paper under your elbow - if it blows away you need to keep your elbows in more. Although it will make you a bit stiff in the shoulder, itll remind you a bit?
 
I have a 20" brown padded leather one took hours at badminton to find, cottage craft do synthetic ones otherwise check eBay!
 
Your left elbow is sticking out because you are drawing your left hand back and across the horses wither which in turn is making your horse twist his head/neck.

You need to shorten your reins and carry your hands out in front of you - elbows stick out if the reins are too long resulting in the hands getting drawn back to compensate.
 
Personally if you came to me complaining of the elbow problem (I'm an Osteopath) I'd start by looking higher up the kinematic chain ie shoulder, neck upper spine. If your stiff and restricted through one of those areas then its like your elbow will be sticking out to compensate for it.
 
ailbheg said:
No help with the elbow I'm afraid, but Thorowgood do dressage girths starting at 18".
LINK
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Looked at TG ones didn't realise they went so small have just got in touch with local tack shop to see if they can order some in. If not smartiebean may take you up on your offer :)

Tempi said:
Your left elbow is sticking out because you are drawing your left hand back and across the horses wither which in turn is making your horse twist his head/neck.

You need to shorten your reins and carry your hands out in front of you - elbows stick out if the reins are too long resulting in the hands getting drawn back to compensate.
Click to expand...

So rather than think elbow in I need to think shorter reins (something my RI is always reminding me) and push my hands forward? I'll give it a goo next time I ride, thank you :)

Willeeckers said:
Personally if you came to me complaining of the elbow problem (I'm an Osteopath) I'd start by looking higher up the kinematic chain ie shoulder, neck upper spine. If your stiff and restricted through one of those areas then its like your elbow will be sticking out to compensate for it.
Click to expand...

I do have a dodgy shoulder, very tense and uptight and have joint problems in the other shoulder. Sadly don't have enough money to get it looked at properly, are there any home remedies I can do to help?
 
You look like you are scrunching your whole left side up in the first pic- heel and hip both look raised. Is Louie behind the leg a lot? Can you remember if you were asking for something specific from him when that pic was taken?
You can get physio on the NHS, have you been to your gp for a referral?
 
I went back to being a kid and put some tape on my reins when my left hand was doing bad things, made it much easier to tell when my reins were getting longer before they were way to long.

Albion do 18'' dressage girths in both black and brown if your looking for a leather one, I have the same problem as YP needs a 20'' but he has a cub one currently which we are putting up with until I find one I like.
 
Tempi said:
Your left elbow is sticking out because you are drawing your left hand back and across the horses wither which in turn is making your horse twist his head/neck.

You need to shorten your reins and carry your hands out in front of you - elbows stick out if the reins are too long resulting in the hands getting drawn back to compensate.
Click to expand...

was going to say the same as Tempi.
 
I do this too but on the right . . if you rotate your arm so that your fingernails are uppermost (ish) it helps to keep your elbow in and stop you pulling back & across the wither. Also maybe think of squeezing your shoulder blades closer together, looks like your left shoulder comes forward and your left side collapses a bit? Probably from your shoulder problem.

A cheap way to help may be Pete Egoscue's Pain Free books especially the original one from 1998/2000, a very good physio recommended them to me and I've found the exercises really helpful. £7 or something on amazon.
 
Roody2 said:
You look like you are scrunching your whole left side up in the first pic- heel and hip both look raised. Is Louie behind the leg a lot? Can you remember if you were asking for something specific from him when that pic was taken?
You can get physio on the NHS, have you been to your gp for a referral?
Click to expand...

Didn't realise this, yep went to GP and surprise surprise gave me painkillers as it's easier for him. He's not behind the leg at all, if anything he's the other way round which is how I like my horses. :) I was asking him to leg yield and whenever I leg yield I collapse at my core because stupid brain thinks it will help horse move over. It's a lot better now I'm in new saddle but not 100%

dafthoss said:
I went back to being a kid and put some tape on my reins when my left hand was doing bad things, made it much easier to tell when my reins were getting longer before they were way to long.

Albion do 18'' dressage girths in both black and brown if your looking for a leather one, I have the same problem as YP needs a 20'' but he has a cub one currently which we are putting up with until I find one I like.
Click to expand...

My RI has threatened to do this more than once, might take her up on the offer. Ohh thanks for the tip will have a look, and start saving :)

nightcap3 said:
I do this too but on the right . . if you rotate your arm so that your fingernails are uppermost (ish) it helps to keep your elbow in and stop you pulling back & across the wither. Also maybe think of squeezing your shoulder blades closer together, looks like your left shoulder comes forward and your left side collapses a bit? Probably from your shoulder problem.

A cheap way to help may be Pete Egoscue's Pain Free books especially the original one from 1998/2000, a very good physio recommended them to me and I've found the exercises really helpful. £7 or something on amazon.
Click to expand...

So if it's my left arm do I rotate to the left or right?

rara007 said:
I had to settle for a glorified cub girth in 12"- it really would be easier just to tie the straps together!

http://www.tackandturnout.co.uk/epa.../Products/DSSYNGIR/SubProducts/DSSYNGIR-08-bk
Click to expand...

Lol, feel your pain, might just get some masking tape and tie them together.
 
Go back to the gp and specifically ask for a referral, and don't take no for an answer!!
A tip that was mentioned here recently was imagine closing the back of your armpits to try and keep hands/arms in the right position.
A lot of it is self awareness- we get so wrapped up getting the horse to do things we forget about our own position- how many threads have there been recently starting "I don't even know I'm doing it..."??!! One thing I do every now and then is concentrate on myself and forget schooling, don't bother with any lateral or fancy stuff, just good working paces and let you concentrate on you as you ride.
 
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