Bad habits

[Bertie]

After really improving over the last 12 months (well I think so) I have started to fall into some bad habits:-

(1) Locking wrists (think this one may be getting sorted)
(2) leaning forward during canter and not sitting up properly
(3) Throwing myself forward when asking for canter (not massively but it is noticeable to me and instructor)
(4) dropping shoulder (mine) when circling in canter and going round corners.

2 & 3 I think are to do with the horse I've been riding regularly she has a forward jolt when going into canter but still I shouldn't do it.

Any pointers or words of wisdom would be great, I hopeing to possibly start my BHS stage 1 and the RS instructors said I really need to tidy up the basic skills I have if I want to pass as I've got a bit sloppy.

We've had several months prior to this last month where lessons have had btwn 7 - 9 in and some who get most of the attention leaving me getting little or no feedback so I've let myself slip, holding my hands up here my fault.

But any tips you can give me would be great.

Thanks :)

[KarinUS]

I do it too. Just figured I mentioned it so you wouldn't feel alone.
We can't canter for our horses. I think the leaning forward is an attempt at getting them to speed up.
Of course it's no good so we need to remember to sit up straight.
As far as the wrists go think of it this way: keep your elbows heavy (weight in elbow) but your hands light. Now heavy doesn't mean stiff. It just means you imagine there is weight in your elbows.

Anyway good luck!

[hometrotter]

I learned how to keep from dropping my inside shoulder on turns and cantering circles when my instructor told me "When you turn right - sit left, and when you turn left - sit right" which basically means to keep the horse balanced during turns and circles put more weight into your outside stirrup and seatbone. It helped me a lot and keeps the horse from drifting in. As for tipping forward at the canter depart, that just comes with work by sitting up with your shoulders and give with your elbows instead of giving with your upper body. Sounds like you are almost there anyway because you are noticing these things yourself. Great!!

http://home.netcom.com/~tdmt/hometrotter

[katieB]

I found the best way to learn to sit up in canter is to take your stirrups away. Then if you lean forward you feel really unbalanced and so you naturally sit up straight, works for me!
My bad habits seem to change all the time, I have to remind myself to carry my hands but im lots better now, used to be a major problem with me. I just have problems with my lower leg position now :(

[Bertie]

The leaning forwards thing I think has vome about for various reasons: -

(1) This horse I'm regularly riding now also throws her self into canter
(2) watching others do it and unconciously doing myself as a result
(3) without stirrups I'm fine because of the ablance issue

Frustration - I need those privates again to concentrate on myself and my riding .

Thanks everyone.

[katieB]

Were the private lessons just a temporary thing? I remember you said you were going to have a few

[Bertie]

I had them originally when I started back last year for about 6 -8 months, then joined a group lessons due to the dark nights and no flood lights in the outdoor.

I have been trying to book a private again once every month but due to the busyness (is that a word??) of the yard I haven't been able to, will try to get some in soon as I think it will help to get some one on one attention.

[galadriel]

I've been pondering this. I think it might help if you look at the canter depart itself. It comes from behind, not from the front; the horse must launch from behind before he can use his forelegs.

So rather than leaning forward to go with him in the canter depart, sit *back* to go with him into the canter (or rather, sit straight, but if you're used to leaning forward, it will feel like you are sitting back).

[OlavS]

Originally posted by Bertie
(1) This horse I'm regularly riding now also throws her self into canter


If the horse throws herself into canter she is probably very much on her front legs, and probably charges forward. You anticipate this, and lean forward so as to avoid getting left behind. She anticipates your leaning and charges into canter.

Maybe you should practice canter transitions from a *slow* trot or even from walk. Make sure you are not leaning forwards, and don't let her zoom along on her front legs. Keep doing transitions until you are not leaning forwards, and she does not anticipate you leaning.

I used to be terrible for leaning forward at sitting trot, but some serious lunge lessons made it a lot better :)

Good luck!

[Ruffiane]

Originally posted by Bertie
[
Frustration - I need those privates again to concentrate on myself and my riding .

Thanks everyone. [/B]

I've been thinking the same thing, and in fact was going to start a thread about it.

I had private lessons in the beginning when I could go during the daytime, but now that I can only go at night, I'm in classes with 2 to 4 other people. In the one class I'm a little more advanced than the others, and in the other I'm probably the least advanced.

I've been thinking of taking a few hours of vacation one day to get a private lesson so I (and my trainer) could focus only on me.

[notpoodle]

sounds familiar, esp the shoulderdropping (i have scoliosis and uneven hips as it is, which makes it worse ...), and flopping forward at canter transitions :rolleyes: the most annoying this is that i KNOW i'm doing it but still can't get rid off it ...

julia

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