tipping forward in trot? HELP?

[greeneyes13]

I tip forward in trot. I hadnt realised i was as bad as i am until we got a new RI. She yells at me every two mins for it. in fiarness shes right i am pretty unbalanced in trot because of it. Ive shortened up my stirrups a hole which has helped but im still leaning forward:confused:

I dont get it- if i lean back i pull on the mouth.
If i lenghten my reins they are too long

I am perfectly aligned in canter i have no issues at all.

anyone got any advice?

i ride lots of horses and aside from when i ride the odd pony it always happens

[nelle]

Hi, I'm no expert but I also tip forward in trot so I'd be interested in your replies.

My RI says I do it because I'm tight in the shoulders, so I roll them around and back to loosen them. She has also suggested pushing my stomach muscles forward and opening up the chest.

Hope that helps a bit

[greeneyes13]

yeah i think your right. if i make my self taller and roll back my shoulders it works for a while but then i hunch to balance myself or something so it happens again.

guess that it really im unbalanced.

[Sammii]

Is it possible for you to have a lesson(s) on the lunge? That way you could take your hands off the reins and do some balancing exercises, because it sounds like you're leaning on your hands, you can ride to the trot with your arms crossed, out to the side, on your head etc and you will regain your position near on straight away when you have you reins back! :)

[buttons]

I would guess you need to keep you legs a little further back underneath you and as you rise, instead of tilting forward, imagine someone is tweaking your belly outwards and upwards.

Every time you sit down, think - legs back...

Give it a try and let us know how you get on!!

[greeneyes13]

see i was trying so hard to get my legs underneath me i was tipping forward and bashing bits of me that should just not be bashed(!!) against the pommel (thats the high bit right?!

now ive decided to abandon that dream of perfect alignment and start getting my heels down properly again which has definetly helped but i need to not hunch and tip.

Does anyone know if those stretchy shoulder strap thingies ive seen on e bay for holding your shoulders back help at all?

[Ross]

Just try and keep thinking about leaning back - you won't actually, but it will feel like it to start with - and keep reminding yourself. And keep trying! You'll get there eventually, but this sort of habit can take quite a long time to break (I know, I used to do it too :))

Ross

[Mossy]

I tended to tilt but that was due to saddle issues. If you only do it in trot, do you rise" Up and down" or "forward and back"? If up and down the chances are you are using your reins as a pivot. Don't beat yourself up, lots of instructors TEACH like that. the trick is to get your lower leg and pelvis secure, elbows by your sides, and then it will all come together. Once your legs are right let the horse move you forward and back with the pace. Good luck.

[Skib]

I think shortening your stirrups makes tipping forward worse, not better.

No time to write a long post on this now. And there have been many previous threads which you may find useful.

[Nazdaq]

I used to do this, I lengthened my stirrups one hole (so with measuring under my arm they are only one hole higher then that length if you know what I mean) and I also sit up really tall, pretend you are a model on a horse, shoulders back, stomach in slightly. Look up where you are going not at the floor then your shoulders will stay back, you can't hunch forward when you look up! I hope that helps, I always have to breath and relax as well, otherwise I automatically try to curl up in a ball (shoulders slouched, look down etc.) Its a conscious effort at first to remember (it is with me at the moment) but I am sure we will both get it eventually! :D

Also hands wise, your hands need to be up sort of parrallel to your diaphram, (where you would hold them if you were carrying a tray full of drinks) and about 10 centimeters apart (2-3 of your fist should fit in between them) I sometimes when I am tense carry my hands fine, but draw my arms inwards towards my body, which means I am then pulling on the pony's mouth, I was told that when my arms are in the right position, it is almost as if I am stretching my arms waaaay too far forward (thats what it feels like, a big stretch forwards with my arms) but as long as you don't "go" with that tension and lean forward as well, sit up tall like that model! then you will be alright.

Its hard to explain what I was told lol, but I hope you see what I mean somewhat. I still have to work at not leaning forward and sitting tall, but I hope this does help you. :D

[funkyfilly_sos]

Naszdaq has really said it all. :D

Mind you, leaning forward can just be a habit and isn't anything to do with nerves. Like other people have suggested, try lunge lessons as they'll give you the chance to not have to worry about your hands and not even have to use them. Many people lean forward onto her hands so lunging has brillient benifits on them.
Plus if you nervous or feel yourself tense remeber to breath it really helps relax you!

However I don't see how shortening your stirrups will help. It'll just make you got into the 'armchair' position and although it'll feel more confortable you'll be sitting in a less effective position and you may not be in the 'classical' dressage position which is the most effective position for you to ride.
I would try lengthening your stirrups and even though you may feel unconfortable at first, if you keep your heals down and your legs underneath you you'll find you'll be sitting up striaght.

Some people find it helpful to imagine there is a metal pole down their backs and this sometimes helps aswell with position. :confused:

Hope I've helped you! And good luck in improving!
xxxKellyxxx

[micky17]

:D hi try losenig your reigns a little and relax
also sit in the middle of the saddle(if you dont all redy)
(have you asked your teacher):) :) :)