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Obnoxious rocking habit at canter

8K views 15 replies 11 participants last post by  Juniper 
#1 ·
When I am cantering, I have this terrible habit of rocking my upper body. I think it came from me trying to urge my lazy horse on with my seat, and eventually I started moving my whole body. Now I can't stop! I try so hard and I always looks so akwerd. Any suggestions on how to fix this?
 
#4 ·
haha. We get so used to trainers yelling at us, we need others to do it too. I used to have my friend yell at me to keep my heels down ****
Anyways. Sit up straight. Look at the trees around you, stay vertical and even. Sink deep in your heel. If you were urging a horse foward with your seat is hould be subtle, not a large rocking motion, and its small, a change in the lower back, Your shoulders should still stay back and straight. Keep working on it. Practice makes perfect.
 
#5 ·
loose your sturrups ... i rode in college and the 1st 2 or 3 months we rode strictly without a saddle or with a saddle and without our sturrups... also we had someone lunge us so that we really had to work on our core. This sounds dumb but works wonders... do things like closing your eyes, letting the person lounging choose the speed/pace, put your arms out like you are holding a tray (think waitress) or putting your arms out to the side like you are a helicopter ... these are all things that you will get better balance doing and then strengthen your core :)
 
#8 ·
Two things. Stick a crop in the back of your riding pants so it sticks up behind your head. Try to keep consistent contact with it all the way up to your head.

The other thing is try cantering with your inside arm straight up. It helps you reach your whole body upward and once you straighten up, it should open your hip angle enough to where you aren't rocking.
 
#9 ·
The 'arm up' trick also works because it helps relax your back. You absorb the motion in your back and hips--when you are too stiff there, the motion gets absorbed higher up (like you describe!).

Loosen those hips and your back!

Good luck :D
 
#10 ·
I used to have that habit (bc of a lazy horse) but once i learned to make her use her butt and go forward into my hand I automatically stopped. Maybe you should try and fix your horse before fixing just your body. This will give an easy fix for your rocking, and will definetly benefit your horsie
 
#12 ·
i do the same thing, well i used to anyway.
ive been cantering for about 2 and a half months now and my trainer tells me (screams is a better word) not to hinge or rock.
my best advice is to urge him on with your legs and not your whole body. also, put a fist in the middle of your back while you ride so you are forced to sit up straight. if you dont feel comfortable cantering with only one hand on the reins, put a crop behind your back.
work without stirrups is also wonderful.
hope i helped =]
 
#14 ·
Dover catalog sells these contraptions that you put around your shoulders to keep your back straight when you ride. (stiff bra type material) They are over priced at around $40. I got one for Christmas and must admit I love it. I tend to slouch when I am tired, which is pretty much all the time I am awake!! When I wear it riding, (you hide it under a shirt), people comment on my good riding posture. Ha, I have them fooled.
 
#16 ·
That's a good question. The real fix, IMO is to be very in shape like I used to be when I was younger. Being really athletic makes you have good posture I thnik, strong back muscles and all. Having the brace on does contribute to getting in the habit of better posture though. Myself, as well as my friends who are a getting a llittle older who have the brace will probably always wear it at least some of the timie because we are never going to be as good without it as with it. Mostly because my back gets tired after awhile when I am riding and the brace does help with the fatigue and soreness. Hope that makes sense.
 
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