The Horse Forum banner
Status
Not open for further replies.

Need Help With My Balance, It's Awful :D

2K views 10 replies 8 participants last post by  rideprosperously 
#1 ·
I just started riding and by riding instructor taught me by jumping position (sense I eventually want to jump). I can barely hold it for one lap. What are some exercises I can do that will help me improve my balance?
 
#2 ·
1) Lesson riding the whole hour without stirrups at the WALK. Do stretching forward to the poll, back to the tail, down to the stirrup, over to the other stirrup, then lay back and sit up.
2) Think about riding a horse when you are driving a stretch of road with little traffic and you sit way back in the seat, just resting your hands on the steering wheel, maybe even not holding it. When you sit this way in the saddle AND, it's a big AND, your legs are right underneath you, like when you drop your stirrups, your seat is weighted and balanced.
 
#3 ·
Balance is a dance with the horse. It is hard to teach dancing without both partners. I do recommend this book for its discussion on a philosophy of riding, the forward seat (emphasis on balance while in motion instead of 'position'), various levels of control based on experience and goals, exercises to improve, etc:

Common Sense Horsemanship

I ride western, but it remains my favorite book on riding, and costs under $10 with shipping from Amazon.
 
#4 ·
get a barrel and lay it on its side. get on barrel like you would a horse and keep your feet off the ground. keep yourself upright as long as possible. this will really help your core muscles and your balance.

i suggest this whenever somebody doesn't have daily access to riding safe horses while they find their own balance and seat in the saddle.
 
#5 ·
You just started riding so it's totally normal that you find it a little difficult to hold your balance. Better balance comes with time. You just have to be patient and keep practicing. Some good exercises would be:

1) Simply walk and pay attention to your seat - there should be straight line through your shoulder, hip and heel. When your seat is correct you should already feel that you are more balanced.

2) Ride on a lunge line without your stirrups (you could also do it without being on a lunge line but I feel like it's more effective to be on a lunge line at first because then you don't have to worry about the horse and can just focus on your seat):

* Sitting trot, to get a better feel of the horse's movement
* Riding with no reins so you have to use your muscles to keep your balance because you don't have the opportunity to find your balance by pulling on the reins

3) Practice your two-point a lot -after a good few times of doing this you should already feel that your balance is better.
 
#6 ·
A barrel is a great idea, but not so great for indoors, so I bought a big exercise ball that I sit on in the evening, I also do my office work sat on it now, very comfortable and great for finding your centre of balance.

It is though very normal to only be able to hold your 2 point for one lap to start with, every lesson you will be able to hold it longer, you have to build some muscle as well as being able to balance
 
#9 ·
Rider's often have problems with balance when they try to "hold" it. When riding a horse, a rider's body must be in constant motion to remain balanced, because the horse's center of balance is constantly changing.

If a rider is trying to move and stay in balance with tense muscles, he is essentially fighting against himself. Muscles that move joints may be considered to work in opposing groups. If the group that closes the joint is tense, the group that opens the joint must use more effort. The opposite is also true. As a rider is able to release any unnecessary tension in his muscles, the muscular effort to produce movement is lessened. In addition, the rider's muscles can react more quickly.

When a rider releases unnecessary tension, he also receives an added bonus. His horse generally releases unnecessary tension as well. This means that the horse can move more easily and, usually, more smoothly.
 
#10 ·
When a rider releases unnecessary tension, he also receives an added bonus. His horse generally releases unnecessary tension as well. This means that the horse can move more easily and, usually, more smoothly.
I often get accused if being argumentative, but I don't mean to be, I am just curious, so now I am curious.

You speak speak about unnecessary tension, so does this mean that there is a level of necessary tension? If so how does the beginner rider decide what is necessary and what isn't?
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
You have insufficient privileges to reply here.
Top