Not sitting straight

[Lynn_UK]

Hi Heather,

After many years of 'Pony Treking' I have starting riding a little more seriously, I don't plan to become an expert or even own my own horse but would like to ride better than I do now.

My problem is that I have Scoliocis, my spine is curved so that my right shoulder is higher and my right hip is lower than my left side. This is not as major and certainly not as visible as many people with Scoliocis, I have no problems doing general activities.

Riding in the school on a very well schooled horse owned by a friend, 'Archie' seems to fall in when we're going clockwise (sorry, can never remember the correct term). I'm wondering if this is because I'm putting more pressure on my right hip bone? Also I am finding that my balance is not as good as I had hoped, especially when I get tired and forget to sit 'tall'.

What, if anything, can I do to help this. If I try to straighen my spine I am completely off balance, this does really not make much difference and to be honest I'm not sure if I could do it for long anyway. I have not mentioned this to my instructor yet as I have only just noticed, the 'school' horses and others I ride don't seem to notice as much.

If I have to live with the problem then that's OK, but I'd like to be able to sit as correctly as I can.

Many thanks

Lynn
Manchester, UK.

[MadWoman]

Hi Lynn,

Archie tends to fall in a little more on the right rein anyway, so it's not solely down to your back, although I'm sure it aggravates it. Next time you ride I will go and hide as well, as I'm sure having his mum in the school doesn't help!

I'll give him a carrot from you tonight.

Sue

[Lynn_UK]

Hi Sue,

Yes I forgot to mention that Archie so loves his Mum that he will do anything to be with Sue, and he does play with me.

But it happens outside the school too, remember he seemed to be wandering towards the boggy patch of grass a few weeks back Sue: that was on his right side. Getting him to walk on but towards the left but without *turning* left was near impossible.

And a big hug for Archie too, he does very well putting up with me :-)

Lynn

[fionahogg]

Hi Lynn, yes I would say that this would cause the horse to fall in. The weight aids for a turn are to advance the inside hip bone. This shifts your weight to the inside so the horse moves to balance himself under the shift in your weight. So if your right hip bone has more pressure on it then this would cause the horse to fall in. I would imagine that the reason the school horses don't seem to notice this is because they are not as sensitive to the weight aids as Archie is.
With regards to what you can do to help this, I can't think of anything really but Heather might be able to offer some advice.

It must be nice to have the owner of the horse you ride a member here too!!!

Fiona

[Heather]

HI Lynn,

Yes Fiona is absolutely right. I wish that I could work with you in person, as problem solving like this is just the challenge that I relish!

It really is difficult to even offer advice without being aboe to see you and of course, having the simulator is just great for hands on work.

Where do you live?


Heather

[intouch]

Some sessions with a Bowen Practitioner might help with the Scoliosis before it gets any worse? Les H

[Lynn_UK]

Hi all,

I'm in Cheshire, so Devon is a bit far for me but not impossible. Heather, I would be interested in one of your seminars, I've only just joined so have probably missed out for this summer.

Les, I am now 31 (that gives the game away) so I've already been through 3 years of wearing a plastic brace which did make a huge difference. My back is now doing what is natural, an increase of about 1% per year. I am very lucky in that my back is not bad, this is really the first time I've had any real problems.

I haven't heard of a Bowen Practitioner, could they still do anything? I may need surgery in the future, but my consultant does not recomend anything now.

Thanks for the help so far.

Lynn

[intouch]

Lynne, While I wouldn't give you false hope, I really would give Bowen a try, you can find out more about it on http://www.bowenireland.co.uk and do a search on yahoo for a practitioner near you. It certainly won't do any harm, you will enjoy it and it has helped many people - and horses.