Its all connected

[fimacg]

had my lesson on Thursday and my instructor has made it her mission to improve my position and get me to sort out my lower leg position. Its something I've always struggled with and have a tendency to bring my lower leg to far forward.

My other problem is I have a tendency to drop my left shoulder and collapsing my hip .

So I have been doing my homework (and by the way OUCH!! - I ache) and consciously putting my legs back where they should be, I can do it in all three paces but struggle most in trot and have to readjust myself after every transition.

I feel my balance is all over the place but Brave is being very good and tolerating me bouncing all over his back as I get myself sorted, and realigned.

However and to finally get to the point I have had a flash of the blindingly obvious and realised that my shoulders and leg position are not really two different issues but that I am actually pretty crooked I struggle more to bring my right leg back than my left but when I dig myself in the ribs to straighten up my shoulders I can bring my leg back!!! Its all connected Ok it doesn't last very long when I get it right but I guess at least I can feel it now... Actually boy can I feel it!

My instructors motto, excellence isn't good enough perfection is required!

[solomon]

Good on you, tackling deep seated problems requires a lot of will power. I have my own issues, tipping forward, which affects the way my horses go. So frustrating. Good luck bringing it all together. Would altering stirrup length or symmetry straps help?

[brigadier]

One of the key issues that affect riding is crookedness. As you are finding Fi it isnt simply a case of working on an area- they are all connected and interdependent. Its just finding the area to straighten to pull everything else into position. Mine's my outside shoulder, as long as I press it back everything else stays straight- or as it can be but then I forget and slump and it all goes to ratsh*t!

[fleabitten]

I dunno what mine is - i have a tendency to let my lower leg go too far forward when riding circles and turns, i think it stemmed from being told inside leg on the girth etc. and then trying too hard to get the horse to bend. Also tipping forward, probably looking down as well lol!