[HorseLoverHunter]

As some may know, I have a problem with leaning forward, which makes me fall off from leaning so much. I read somewhere that if I lift my hands up more, that it will be easier to bring my shoulders back and lean. is this true? I'm really looking forward to finding out this Sunday and can't wait! I will post a video in the comments. =D

 

[tinyliny]

And I am looking forward to seeing your video! I love the energy that you have toward learning to ride. YOu have such a will to improve!

 

[catsandhorses]

As some may know, I have a problem with leaning forward, which makes me fall off from leaning so much. I read somewhere that if I lift my hands up more, that it will be easier to bring my shoulders back and lean. is this true? I'm really looking forward to finding out this Sunday and can't wait! I will post a video in the comments. =D

I do not believe that the answer to fixing a problem of leaning forward is raising your hands. In fact, I think that you are already off balance by leaning too far forward, and that raising your hands will further raise your center of gravity, throwing you even more off balance. Which is exactly the opposite of what you are trying to achieve: a low center of gravity.

I find that ground work in 20 meter circles helps me focus on balancing and sitting up tall. I often add in 1, 2, or 4 cavaletti poles (at 3, 6, 9, and 12 o'clock) as well to changes things up. Think "Hands low, sit back," and drive forward with hips. It feels like you are leaning back but it helps to have someone on the ground to tell you when your upper body is truly vertical.

I'm interested to hear with others have to say!

 

[hillree]

Interesting theory! I have the same problem. My posture was fine when I rode saddleseat but when I switched to huntseat, I started leaning forward. :/

 

[IslandWave]

When I know I have a riding position issue, I just have my trainer and/or the people who watch me ride yell at me often during my ride to remind me what to do. xD

 

[waresbear]

When I know I have a riding position issue, I just have my trainer and/or the people who watch me ride yell at me often during my ride to remind me what to do. xD

I don't even have to tell them, they know to yell. Yes, best way to correct a position issue is have someone on the ground to remind you.

 

[Opus]

See if your trainer will put you on a lunge line for a lesson or two and take away your reins. Have him/her make you go through the gaits and positions with arms beside you, arms stretched out like an airplane and then arms reaching straight out into the air. Without your arms in their normal position, you'll find your posture and balance right themselves real quick.

I thought I had fantastic balance until my trainer did that to me.

 

[nicole25]

See if your trainer will put you on a lunge line for a lesson or two and take away your reins. Have him/her make you go through the gaits and positions with arms beside you, arms stretched out like an airplane and then arms reaching straight out into the air. Without your arms in their normal position, you'll find your posture and balance right themselves real quick.

I thought I had fantastic balance until my trainer did that to me.

My trainer does did this with me our past lesson and had me add three inches to what i normally hold because i was becoming "dependent" on my reins. Well holy cow did it work!! Also try relaxing your shoulders and sinking your weight into your heels that should also really help too. Good luck I hope tha tyou find a solution

 

[LoveTheSaddlebreds]

It does help but you have to just keep nagging yourself and catch yourself when you're leaning.

 

[Alwaysbehind]

Different things help different people.

That might help you. It is worth a try.

 

[Kawairashii Ichigo]

I wouldn't suggest raising your hands, but what I would suggest is try some sitting trot no stirrups. I fund that's how I caught myself a lot. If you lean forward it gets a little rougher, if you keep your position you can get into the swing of things. Just something I found helped. :3

 

[catsandhorses]

I wouldn't suggest raising your hands, but what I would suggest is try some sitting trot no stirrups. I fund that's how I caught myself a lot. If you lean forward it gets a little rougher, if you keep your position you can get into the swing of things. Just something I found helped. :3

So excited to see this suggestion! I actually came back on here to mention that what REALLY helped me learn to stick in the saddle was lots of stirrupless work. I made a New Years resolution one year to finish every ride with a few minutes of sitting trot without stirrups. You really have to sit straight to maintain balance, but with a soft lower back to absorb the bounce. I waited till the end of my ride to work out any spook my horse might have had in him that day. At first it was torture on my muscles and I was SO nervous about falling. But I kept at it and now I stick like velcro to my saddle. Think soft knees (don't pinch) and calves wrapped around the horse. Now I have no problem trotting or cantering without stirrups and have even added riding bareback occasionally to mix things up.

 

[Kawairashii Ichigo]

So excited to see this suggestion! I actually came back on here to mention that what REALLY helped me learn to stick in the saddle was lots of stirrupless work. I made a New Years resolution one year to finish every ride with a few minutes of sitting trot without stirrups. You really have to sit straight to maintain balance, but with a soft lower back to absorb the bounce. I waited till the end of my ride to work out any spook my horse might have had in him that day. At first it was torture on my muscles and I was SO nervous about falling. But I kept at it and now I stick like velcro to my saddle. Think soft knees (don't pinch) and calves wrapped around the horse. Now I have no problem trotting or cantering without stirrups and have even added riding bareback occasionally to mix things up.

I did the same thing. After every ride once my "crazy pony" had the bucks and spins worked out I would make myself do 8 laps sitting trot and 8 laps rising no stirrups then every once in a bit throw in some cantering and a jump. Now I just bareback over everything. xD x3 It does help alot but I love that you mentioned soft knees though, I don't think it gets mentioned enough really. >.>