Tipping forwards and turning hands

[*katie*]

I have the same problem every time i ride - i tilt forwards in the saddle, my lower leg comes back and i get unbalanced - then when I'm trying to slow down or make a transition I'm positioned so that i can only use my hands; they go back towards my stomach and turn so that the backs of my hands are facing the sky and my wrists are flexing towards me - not exactly the best position ever, then! My RI says i don't have very good core strength which i need to improve; but is it my balance as much as my strength?! She recently adjusted me when i was just sat in the saddle so that i was actually sitting up straight and i felt like I was going to hit my head on the horses croup :o:rolleyes:! It really affects my transitions and is stopping me progressing - does anyone have any ideas?

[wonkeywoody]

This is quite difficult but it will, with time and persistance improve both your balance (awareness of posture) and core strength.
Try this in a chair first .....straddle (on an office type chair) so that you are 'facing' the wrong way! Grab the back to steady yourself then 'roll' back on your bum and lift your legs off the floor. What you need to do is feel where on your bum your weight is - keep your back straight but relaxed...... You should be able to let go of the chair = you are balanced.
Practise it! Next time you ride do this in halt, then walk etc. Keep doing it peroidically during a session/hack and it will readjust you!

[*katie*]

Ooh, good idea, thanks! I'll try it when i'm alone, though :D:p!

[carthorse]

Depending on how much time & money you've got Pilates & martial arts are both meant to be good for core strength & posture.

[lachlanandmarcu]

I found it wasnt until I rode a lot more often that I got strong enough to do it properly. And, ironically, until I got a youngster to back and bring on where you HAD to do it absolutely right or she would panic and you would fall off (pony so nothing in front of you if you tip forward!). An unforseen positive side effect!

It is also harder to do if your mount is either lazy or goes from lazy to surging forward and back again. does that apply ? if it does having a lesson on a forward going type might help as you wont get caught by a surge and you wont be spending the whole time trying to push forward!:)