09/10/2023
✨Correct and effective position ✨
Something I know I used to neglect was my position. I didn’t understand how a bad position could affect my horses, and I only forced myself to sit semi-decent at shows.
What I’ve learned is - a good position isn’t just pulling your shoulders back and forcing your heels down, far from it. It’s a multitude of things, but the following is what made the biggest difference for me.
“Rowing” and the walk:
Elbows have to move!
Relaxing my shoulders, and “rowing” with my elbows felt bizarre to begin with, but now I couldn’t imagine riding it any other way. Really by riding with stiff elbows, we are blocking the horse, essentially applying a restraining aid. By ‘rowing’ with our elbows we’re able to follow the horses movements, and encourage the walk to grow. Not only do the elbows need to row back and forth, but also our belly button. Keeping our hips loose, knees off and belly button moving with the horse, allows us to be a more effective and correct rider.
Air under knees:
It’s amazing the difference having some air between our knees and the saddle can do! Clamping our knees on can block the horses movement and desire to go forward. In walk, what’s helped me is relaxing my legs and letting them come on and off the saddle each time I move my hips to the walk.
In canter I still have to consciously remind myself to keep air between my knees, especially when riding a fast or wild canter. I’ve noticed when I ride with my knee off, I sit better in the saddle, the horse feels more willing to travel forward and freely, and it’s easier to encourage the horse to work over the back.
Hands and wrists:
A bad habit I’ve struggled with is my wrists, in particular my left wrist turning in when I ride. It’s taken MONTHS to get it consistently straight and i still have to check in with it each ride.
Wrists that turn in make it difficult to keep a soft and effective contact, as well as encourages the elbows to stick out.
Another change to my position has been how I move my hands in trot and canter.
Think of canter like a circular motion, our hands have to follow that circular motions. Stiff, still hands - like in walk - block the horse. Trot is more up and down, so our hands need to move up and down. The goal is to follow the horses movement and avoid applying any “restraining aids!”
I am far from where I want to be with my position, but new habits take time and consistency.
I could talk all day about how changing my position has helped me and my horses, and I have an amazing coach to thank for that!
