What's your #1 bad riding habit?

keeping my heels down and probably the worst, riding on buckle end when out hacking- it's a good thing mine are so well behaved (for the most part) :P
 
I have quite a few.
I think my worst is holding onto the left rein, my instructor is always teling me to release the left one, Im improving though I think :)
I also draw my heels up when I need to ask more with my leg
I turn my elbows out and swing my leg backwards over a jump but that is beginning to improve (This one never used to be a problem till I had a break from it between retiring one horse and backing/bringing on the next one to the stage where we could start jumping)
 
Tilting my head to one side. I don't walk around like that so why on earth do I ride like it? The mind boggles.
 
I tilt my head to which ever way i'm trying to steer and my hands are always too high when I'm jumping or **trying** to slow down

Oh and not forgetting! completely letting go of the reins when jumping- the extreme version of "give with your hands!!" haha
 
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Flatwork wise i lean to the right and drop my right shoulder.... bad habit picked up from my polo playing days!
Jumping wise... apprently looking at the floor is far better than looking where you are going! Again i look over the right shoulder and usually at the bottom of the fence on approach so another one picked up from my polo playing days!

Polo was great fun it just trashed my classical riding position!!! And the worst part is i can blame the polo as i never used to do it!!

Its all a work in progress!
 
Hunched shoulders :( My instructor used to nag constantly then one day I saw a demo by Carl 'beautiful shoulders' Hester and it was like a light bulb moment!! I wish I had his shoulders! (along with the rest of his ability of course!)
 
Collapsing my position and tipping forward in canter transitions. Poor horse. I'm trying to get super strict with myself before asking for the transition.
 
Hmmm - where to start?! Washing line reins definitely #1. Forgetting to breathe whilst jumping in an arena #2. Stopping there - it's getting too depressing. Fortunately, I have regular lessons with an excellent instructor, and a loop tape of her instructions in my head!
 
Hunching forwards, not sitting up enough and shoulders back - my body just naturally won't do it. Looking down is another big fault of mine as is keeping my hands too low. In fact I can't think of much good! I think my lower leg is ok...

I'm doing pilates for equestrians classes to try and sort myself out once and for all!
 
Leaning forward, turning my thumbs down like holding a shopping trolley, heels up, looking down, hold breath whenever I canter.... there's more but that'll do! Years of lessons and go through stages of getting it right then loosing it again!
 
Crushing my neck down like a tortoise and hanging my mouth open. It's my "thinking face". And yes, it is as ghastly as it sounds. On the other hand, it gives me opportunity to ride around squeaking "JOLLY TALL! Channel your inner giraffe!"
 
At the moment, the one I'm still battling with - my naughty elbows that won't stay back and down. They just float off into space and I creep up my reins. I'm working with my instructor on this, and imagining weight in my elbows which works for me but takes a lot on concentration!
 
Sticking my feet forward in the 'emergency brace position' in canter/gallop. Defensive move learned back when I had Brave the psycho bucker. Ugly, but surprisingly effective, even bareback.
 
Where to start? My riding is awful!

Toes stick out, heels come up, lower leg goes bezerk in trot, no core strength to speak of, tipping forward, hunched shoulders, looking down, elbows not bent, uneven contact/bad hands, thumbs turn inwards...

I'm utterly useless! Don't know why I bother lol

But... at least we all know our faults and try to improve.
 
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