Body protectors and rounded shoulders

[Bertie]

I keep getting told I'm rounding my shoulders when riding but I know I'm not and think that my body protector is creating this impression. I over exagerated my poistion with my shoulders right back and my intructor said this was much better but it was so uncomfortable. I don't want to stop wearing my protector nor do I want to have to exagerate my position

I'm stuck :(

[maya-m]

Would it help to get someone to video you? Does the instructor say the same about others with body protectors on, or are you the only one?

xM

[Bertie]

Yesterday it seemed to be just me, my usual instructor has now moved to another day with a lower level class and this instructor likes to push me and says I've let my basic's slip and not reaching my full potential and won't let me progress until I've got my basics back to BHS standard.

In the past couple of months my previous instructor has been neglecting me and another in the group because we are more competent than the others and not as verbal when being taught, we have one lady who is extra verbal to the point where she thinks she's instructing the lesson. I've as a result let my basic slip and got into bad habits, dropping my hands, locking wrists, rounding shoulders and this week told i was sometime throwing myself forward when asking for canter.

Unfortunately I cannot get anyone to come with me full stop, as I wanted them to get a couple of photo's of me riding so I could look at position etc but no such luck so getting someone to video me would probably be impossible:rolleyes:

[katieB]

Is there another body protector (ie a different make to yours) you could lend to see if its the same? I rode in one a couple of times a few years ago and I found it hindered my position but I borrowed a friends the last time I was going to take Ellie to Somerford and found that one great.
If I dare to brave Stockport again ill come and take some pics of you! :D

[Horsesarelife]

hey whats wrong with Stockport :o

[Bertie]

Ah thanks katie I'll hold you to that :D , I did try several different makes of protectors on when I bought this one and it was the one I found most comfortable for my shape and didn't seem to restrict me when moving. I have tried a charles & owen one on and found that to be quite restrictive on me.

See if it happens again next week the address it with the instructor.

[katieB]

LOL horsesarelife, the first and last time I came to Stockport I got completely lost, I was driving round in circles for ages and had to get rescued from Pets at Home in the town centre :o Im sure its a nice place if you know your way round :D

[500]

The secret I've hered to putting your sholders back is not to shove tham back but to sit tall and open up your rib cage. Try it! I don't think it's your body protector.

[Bebe]

I used to get told I was too stiff through my back when I had lessons in my bp, took it off and instantly solved the problem so it is possible that yours is giving the impression of rounded shoulders even though you're not sat that way.

I'm used to mine now though and seem to sit correctly whilst wearing it. What it does cause problems with is my hand position, I just can't put my elbows over my hips where they should be whilst I'm wearing my bp. I think it's just that there's too much bulk round my body and to get my elbows back I'd have to lift them too far away from my body. For that reason I'm wearing it a bit less now whilst I train my body to remember the correct position and feel.