Post by Calaminty Jane on Oct 19, 2010 16:32:02 GMT -5
Sitting Centered in "Neutral" to Ride in Good Balance
by Jane Savoie
Posted: Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Since horseback riding is all about balance, you need to sit centered and keep your pelvis in a "neutral" position.
When you think about making position corrections, always start with your seat. Fix your core first, and then work out to your extremities. That is, you can either work down from your seat to your toes, or work up toward your head and then down through your arms to your hands.
Here are two great images to help you sit correctly.
1. Imagine you're sitting on a target that has a bull's eye with rings around it. You want each seat bone on a ring that is equidistant from the bull's eye. To help you find the rings, gently lift both legs away from the saddle.
In this position, you'll be able to feel your seat bones better. Notice whether or not you feel like you're sitting with equal weight on each seat bone and in the middle of the saddle.
If you still can't feel whether or not you're centered in the middle of the saddle, ask a ground person to watch you from behind. Have them check that the saddle is square on your horse's back. Then ask them to see if you're sitting correctly in the middle of the saddle rather than off to the right or left.
2. Keep your pelvis in a "neutral" position.
Imagine your pelvis is a big bucket filled with water. When your pelvis is in a neutral position, you can keep all the water in the bucket.
If you ride with an arched, tense back, the top of your pelvis tips forward, and the water spills out the front of the bucket. If you ride with a rounded lower back, the top of your pelvis tips back and the water spills out the back of the bucket.
So, help your horse find his balance by sitting centered and keeping your pelvis in a "neutral" position so of all the water stays in the bucket!
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Are you sick and tired of complicated and confusing training techniques? Are you frustrated by negative emotions like fear and lack of confidence? Learn how by going to: janesavoie.com
by Jane Savoie
Posted: Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Since horseback riding is all about balance, you need to sit centered and keep your pelvis in a "neutral" position.
When you think about making position corrections, always start with your seat. Fix your core first, and then work out to your extremities. That is, you can either work down from your seat to your toes, or work up toward your head and then down through your arms to your hands.
Here are two great images to help you sit correctly.
1. Imagine you're sitting on a target that has a bull's eye with rings around it. You want each seat bone on a ring that is equidistant from the bull's eye. To help you find the rings, gently lift both legs away from the saddle.
In this position, you'll be able to feel your seat bones better. Notice whether or not you feel like you're sitting with equal weight on each seat bone and in the middle of the saddle.
If you still can't feel whether or not you're centered in the middle of the saddle, ask a ground person to watch you from behind. Have them check that the saddle is square on your horse's back. Then ask them to see if you're sitting correctly in the middle of the saddle rather than off to the right or left.
2. Keep your pelvis in a "neutral" position.
Imagine your pelvis is a big bucket filled with water. When your pelvis is in a neutral position, you can keep all the water in the bucket.
If you ride with an arched, tense back, the top of your pelvis tips forward, and the water spills out the front of the bucket. If you ride with a rounded lower back, the top of your pelvis tips back and the water spills out the back of the bucket.
So, help your horse find his balance by sitting centered and keeping your pelvis in a "neutral" position so of all the water stays in the bucket!
-------------
Are you sick and tired of complicated and confusing training techniques? Are you frustrated by negative emotions like fear and lack of confidence? Learn how by going to: janesavoie.com