tilting forward

[K&K]

whenever i ride, people are always telling me to sit back. i'm always tilting foward - my shoulders aren't hunched, but my whole upper body is leaning forward a fraction or two. any suggestions?

here's a pic to give you a better idea of my faulty position ... this was one of my worst days. also, my stirrups were too short ... could that have affected it?

(if this pic is too small, let me know...)

[K&K]

oops - here's the pic ...

[Nickie]

Looks like the stirrups are VERY too short

-make sure the bottom of the stirrup touches your ancle bone when you feet are hanging loose and not in the stirrups - thats how to get the right length.

Also once you have that sorted try standing up straight in your stirrups and then sit down without moving your legs from then - they look like they are too far back - which would push your seat forward. Your feet could be being pushed back by the stirrups if you regularly ride with them that short too! (Your legs were not made to fold at the knee behind you!)

:D

Let us know what happens....

Nicola

[RachelT]

I'm sure we've compared notes on this problem before - you tip like I do! Yes, your stirrups are far too short, but I tip forward no matter what length my stirrups are.

A really good exercise is to ride around with one hand on the reins and the other arm just dropping down by your side. Then put your arm behind your back and rest it in the small of your back. Next try some very slow circles with that arm, rotating backwards. All these things will help your upper body to lean back. The challenge is keeping it there, but the more you get used to the feeling of sitting straight, the easier it will be to hold the right position. I always feel as though I am leaning back when I am actually perfectly straight - leaning forward has become so much a part of my riding position!

Hope these help!

Rachel

[Nickie]

Alternatively try doing more without stirrups!! That helped me too!!!

Nicola

[floppy]

sort your stirrup length out and see if it improves your position.:)
and if not send us another photo

[K&K]

thanks for the advice!

the reason my stirrups were so short was because it was when i was trying out a horse, and the owner had to use someone elses saddle because she'd forgotten hers at her house. she couldn't find an english one anywhere so we had to use a western. i ride western too so that didn't matter, but neither of us knew how to adjust the stirrups :rolleyes:

so when the stirrups were too short, i found myself subconsciously putting my lower leg back, and thus tipping my body forward. although even when my stirrups are the correct length i still have trouble ... but i'll try what you guys suggested. thanks again!

[pepper]

i had a lesson a few weeks ago and my instructor said i do that to. heres wat i am trying to do...
lengthen my stirrups
push my pelvis further forward under me
make sure i can feel the bottom of my body protector just touching my lower back - if u cant ** leaning 2 far forwards (but obviously if u can feel it dig in then ** leaning back!)
hope this helps
peps xXx

[jUmPingIsLifE]

your stirrups need fixing but you allready know that, but having short stirrups can affect your position as everything you do does. if you heels come up most likley your legs willl go back than your upperbody will tip foward. next time you ride if you find that your stirrups are right but you are still doing it try at a halt to fix your position so you can think about what you are doing and not having to steer and pay most attention to your horse. put you legs in the right position push your heels down than sit up straight push your shoulders back and keep your head up than que for the walk and try to hold your position...also you can try having someone lunge with you so you can worry about you and not so much what your horse is doing....work without stirrups can help to....if you can get someone to lunge than try putting your arms up in the air and stretch...pulling your stomach muscles up and making you straighter than do things like putting your arms to the sides and stuff like that trying to keep your upper body straight. try not to tence up though because than your body could again tip foward.......goodluck and tell us what happens

[bannerlover]

First of all, you need to definately fix your stirrups. Also, strech your legs down and pull your shoulders back. I used to do the same thing...also make sure that you arent looking down at the horse because it causes you to tilt forward. I recomend riding the book "Centered Riding" by Sally Swift because it talks alot about the riders balance and it is all around a great book.