Balance - How to improve it?

[kyanya]

Yesterday, I came off while having a jumping lesson. I know it was not the horse's fault in the slightest; instead being due to my (lacking) sense of balance. I got too far forward, and momentum must have just carried me down to the floor.

So, reflecting on it all, it's made me realise how my natural balance really isn't any good. I've always been aware of this, ever since at primary school I'd wobble and shake while trying to balance on one leg during PE. It's also very evident when I'm trying to maintain jumping position or standing out of the stirrups in all paces (especailly trot). I just can't do it basically! A few strides maximum

Is there any way to improve the natural balance? I can't say I've ever heard of any, but it doesn't mean that there isn't anything. I know that a deeper seat would be beneficial, but is there anything else?

Thanks

[HorseHappy]

Yoga is terrific for balance as well as flexibility. My balance improves tremendously when I do yoga (astanga yoga is the specific type I do) regularly.

One thing I learned to do when trying to balance on one leg is to either focus your attention on one spot in the distance (like on a wall) or to focus on the horizon. If inside - this would be where the floor meets the wall.

Another thing you can buy is a wobbly board or balance board. It is a usually a circle or skateboard shape that comes to a point on the bottom. You stand on it and try to maintain your balance. It's a lot harder to do than it looks.

[intouch]

Best exercise I know for balance is "7s" - 7 strides standing, 7 strides sitting, 7 strides rising (trot) and keep it up for as long as you can. Really stablises your lower leg and helps balance.

[virtuallyhorses]

Absolutely the best thing for my balance was doing what Pat Parelli calls 'being a passenger' (I'm sure other teachers also do this it's just that I recall it from his book, so don't whine if you don't like PP :D ) He uses it as an exercise in the arena or paddock (whatever safe area you have to ride in) to help you learn to balance and deepen your seat. Essentially, it means that you ride on a loose rein and simply go with the horse - he gets to choose direction and speed - you have to leave him on a loose rein and go with it.

I initially used this in the arena but it was most useful (and terrifying ;) ) out on hacks. Going over uneven ground REALLY teaches you about flowing with your horse and staying centred on him. At first you will find that you need to keep a little contact, so that you don't have a heart-attack :D, and so if things are really going wrong you can pull up, gather yourself together and go on again. But the aim is always to go with the flow and eventually you'll find that you can also sort out problems like losing a stirrup or ducking for trees etc on the move and without upsetting your or your horses balance . :)

[jUmPingIsLifE]

on the horse exersizes- longe lessons, work without stirrups and without reins putting your hands on your hips, shoulders, head, moving them around. placing your legs over the flaps of the saddle so you are really sitting on your seat. that is great for balance. and loads of work in your two point at the w/t/c with and without stirrups, that will help too. or even maybe some bareback! whatever you feel comfortable with.

off the horse exersizes- like some others said, yoga is really good!

[nf ponies rock!]

I had the same problem and when i started ridng couldn't stand in the stirrups at all!

In my last lesson my instructor told me to go in to jumping position which i was dreading cos i cant do it!

as usuall i sat back down in the saddle then my instructor said try balancing yourself with your hands.

When u put your hands up your horses neck balance on them slightly. dont know weather it will work for you but i manged to keep by position in walk and trot which is very good for me!!!

hope this helps sorry if it dosent!!:D

[Dales_Lover]

If you can - riding bareback. You may come off ten hundred times more than usual, but it improves your balance no end.

Also Pilates and Yoga improve your balance and posture.

[baxter]

i was going to say bareback or lots and lots of no stirrup work. one of my instructors makes me do a lot of it and you'll find your balance improving each session. if you feel a bit shaky with this get someone to lunge you and go right back to basic learning techniques, if you need to hold the pommel with one hand, then progress to holding on with one finger, you'll find your seat deepening all the time.... another good way is when you learn as a child the usual stretches, round the world etc etc...

[carrimclaren]

Definitely no stirrup work, it's helped my balance a lot over the past couple of months. You'll probably find that when you were jumping you were forward and your lower leg moved back as well, hence the reason your balance just goes skewiff. My legs always used to do that but the more jumping i did and the more my balance improved the better my position was (also helped getting my own mare who i just clicked with when jumping as my confidence increased and my posture seemed to get better). Still a long way off being okay at riding but without stirrups really helped.

[Tangle]

Originally posted by kyanya
standing out of the stirrups in all paces (especailly trot). I just can't do it basically! A few strides maximum
It's worth perservering with that one - even if you do feel useless at first. Even if you're only in walk. We always do it standing straight up and with one finger/hand on a neckstrap for a bit of help. How much can your ankles flex? Going between up on your toes and dropped right into your heels with each stride of walk is also a good exercise.

For me balance is a mental as well as a physical thing. Yoga is very good - the calmer you make your mind the better. It also helps with the physical aspect - you need an amazing amount of muscle tone to be able to stand still :rolleyes:;). Head position is also vital (somewhere else where yoga helps) - it's far and away the heaviest part of your body and so will have a big impact on how you fall. The expression "if you look at the floor that's where you'll end up" may be trite, but there's an awful lot of science and truth in there as well.

[Kaaboom]

Bareback is great not only for balance but also builds the muscles you don't use with saddle. Another great balance excercize is to ride in the round pen or on the end of your lunge, close your eyes and try to feel which leg is moving? It is surprisingly hard to feel the, ie left front leg lifting up, or the back right one. When your balance is honed, you will be able to ride as one with your horse and will feel his legs through his body.

[TBEventer2002]

As all others have said, bareback riding, yoga, and closing eyes are all great ways to learn balance. The best time is when you do all three at the same time, like we have done in my riding class at school. :D It is surprisingly hard to ride with your eyes closed -- your vertigo feels terribly off -- but it does teach you body awareness, and that helps immensely.