The Importance Of Being Straight!

[brigadier]

That sounds really good ceej- I use a ball but have never tried to keep my feet up! Will try it tonight!

[maximum]

I am writing this in traction after doing the feet off the floor!! LOL its hard! the dvd I got with mine has an exercise where you kneel on the ball with one knee and the other leg out behind you with both arms out in front! now if anyone can send me a photo of themselves doing that I WILL send them a prize!

I try to explain the importance of straighness as this

If you are dead straight through your body, level hands shoulders and hips you create a corrider which the horse can move down and the walls are straight.
If however you are unlevel the walls of the corrider are crooked and therefore the horse cannot move in a straight line.

[duckles]

This is a great post- thanks Brig. The golf ball imagery is great. My problem is that one golf ball is sometimes in advance of the other although both are in good contact- if you know what I mean. I was awear my pelvis was a bit misaligned (i think this was contributed to by my horse as it is a new problem). I went a few times to an osteopath and did all the excercises but it didn't help that much. Today I kept thinking 'golf balls' and it did help me keep them even. Of even more help was the sliding shoulder blades image(I know Florence gave that tip too- thanks)- I have a bad shoulder and after a few years of constant pain and not being able to sleep on it I went to a physio for a year and eventually gave up as i wasn't really getting that much better (although can sleep on it now). I just tried the sliding the shoulder blades towards each other and it has helped get my shoulder back more than all the excercises i have being doing so A BIG THANKS. Kept it up on my horse as well. It does affect the posture !- can't say I look wanton - that would need silicone i think, but it's so easy!!!

I know I sound a right crock but neglected falls over the years do finally get to you so all you teenages out there- my tip- don't ignore pain for years- go to a physio early if it doesn't clear up in a day or two and don't go riding when in a lot of pain.

About collasping to one side or another, i did read a tip once that sounded good, you ride one side 5 holes higher than the other on a circle- apparantly strengthens you out.

Please keep up these lessons Brig- although I am very limited in trying them out (still on a lead, lunge, ride on loose rein regime)I am noting them. THe ride like a monkey one is excellent. I would agree that position is so important but my teachers never give me any directions - even when i ask, they just say your seat is good. But I have always felt that if a horse is showing difficulty with something, an investigation into the rider is not amiss.

And Maxi- the Wii excercise is brilliant for balance. Don't have one but my sister has and a few months ago i used to go and use it (which i must get back too). THey have yoga excercises for aligning pelvis etc but i have to say the balance games (skiing, catching fish on an iceberg, tight rope walking etc) are even better. you have to be balanced to get a good score so you improve without even noticing and its great fun.

[brigadier]

Theres some really really great stuff coming out which everyone can benefit from- Im going to try the five holes higher one-- not heard that before but can see the logic- not sure ill do it on Basil at moment but it will be up my sleeve. I think I may have to get/try one of these boards- have got the games/console but not the mat thing you stand on- but seems it may really help.
I think my pelvis is wonky though because Im now aware Im not sitting evenly in chairs etc. That one is down to a riding accident- a working hunter class where the hunter didnt want to work lol- sent me flying and several weeks of sciatica!

[florence]

Sept 13, 2008 16:17:12 GMT brigadier said:

Any more exercises you have Florence would be welcome Ive got dodgy wrists and a crappy back and a knackered hip so need to keep checking everything I do!

I put my back out by straightening my hips so had to get the OH to click it back into place-just shows how it was affecting me.

a physio who rides- what a dream to have someone who understands. the physios Ive used all say ride ride its good for you- but none of them do it!

I had been to a couple of physios who told me off, too. One said that the knees are hinges made to go back and forth and not side to side! He said all my joints were much too tight except for my knee joints. He completely missed that my knees were being pulled in by the arthritis and not the riding!

Sorry, I don't have any exercises for wrists - mine were okay at the time. I do get it some times in my wrists now and I know it leaves you without any real strength in them, so very important to be able to ride more with the seat and less with the hands, which I know you've said before and if you are going to carry on posting advice (please, please, pretty please) then I'd like to know more about how to achieve that.

One of the things my physio used to do to help my level my hips, was to put *traction* on. Maybe you can get your OH to do this. Lie flat and he just holds your foot, supporting the ankle and gently pulls using his weight, but it must be without lifting the leg high as the hip has to stay in line. You may have to hop on the kitchen table!

Also, to get your golf ball feel with your seatbones, sit on a hardish surface (the floor or the kitchen table!). Keep your legs straight out in front, or as straight as you can get them and lift one hip, hold for a couple of seconds and then let it back down. Do the same with the other and repeat several times. By the end, you should be able to feel both seatbones more and actually feel closer to the surface. Hope that helps. If I think of any more, I'll post them.

[brigadier]

Thanks florence
I think if I climb on the kitchen table my OH will run a mile!!!!
Seriously will print them and give it a go though.
The seat thing is simple but just takes a little time. Its the slowing down aids that need to come from the bum, so I walk towards a wall or big fence and just give the aid with my seat- not my hands, the horse has to stop anyhow so he quickly associates the two. Then its just repitition- they get really responsive to it. I do use the reins but very lightly and I use the wide rein to ask for outline- just keep a real persistant but light 'niggle' (not a fiddle more a vibtation) on a low wide rein until he dips his nose then reward him with a word and an even lighter consistent feel. This is the one that takes the time but he is getting it and is fairly consistent in an outline- has started to go long and low now so then I pop in a half halt with the seat aid- and ride forwards again- helps elasticity of the horse in the long term. Most of my riding is done buckle end provided the horse works in a long low outline- I only collect him if he is fresh and jiggy or spooking (but then not very much) When he's relaxed he feels when I want to halt and does it before I do anything. I also give treats when Im on board, i tickle his neck and he bends round for a polo (yes Im a sweetie giver!) This is really useful if ever he is worried as he associates the tickle with something nice so it overrides his fear in tricky situations. do it both sides though for eveness!

I do the odd bit of teaching still ( more as favours than anything) but dont get on other peoples horses very often because once you have a horse with a soft light mouth its like getting onto a hippo!

[maximum]

Another great exercise to check for straighness is to take away your stirrups and then take your legs away from the side TOTALLY! thighs and all!

you should think of your legs being cut off about halway up your thighs and so you are riding with your seat and your "stumps" If you are not straight you will soon feel it!

start in walk and then move up to trot and canter. It may be easier at first to get soeone to either lead or lunge you so that you can really concentrate on yourself.

[r0450111]

Sorry to bump this thread up but i took all the advice offered and did some practise on the ground. I had a lesson on friday and my instructor nearly went mental cos my position is very much improved!!! I do tip forwards slightly but only when i loose concentration or allow myselfto think i cant do it. I am sitting upright properly rather than hunched down AND i have lengthened my legs somehow. I am riding one hole longer than i was. All of this was somehow accomplished while i on my summer holls and NOT RIDING!!! Because of this improvement, i am now aiming to start Novice dressage sometime in april. The horse i'm riding is uneligible for prelim, unfortunatly. So just wanted to say a huge thanks to all cos without you guys i wouldnt have made such an improvement.

[brigadier]

Sometimes when Im posting I think is it just me sounding off and people will read and think- "yeah ok but youve not seen me so how would you know what my problems are?"
But then you get a response like this which has been generated from discussion and involvement from everyone 'who do actually give a damn' and its so worth it!

Thanks for posting your success- it makes it all worthwile! And please let us know how the path to 2012 goes!!

[suzii]

thanks brig - advice 100% as per!!

I didn't realise it has such an impact, will deffo get someone to check next time i'm in the saddle!