Position while riding?

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Cynnycal

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Oct 24, 2001
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Hey, well, i took my second lesson. I think it was alot better than the first, due to advice i got on the board, i wasn't afraid to ask more questions, and not feel stupid asking them. My trainer was considerably more helpful this time (although she still gave me the impression she's unenthusiastic about her job)
I still have a concern though. When you're riding, how do you know that you're in the correct position? how do you know your leg's not too far back or forward, etc? i mean, you can't look down all the time, and if this my first experience with riding, i can't do it out of habit, i want to make sure i dont' get used to riding in the wrong position. Any tricks to knowing?
 
Hi Cynnical,

Well don with your lesson, it sounds as if you are doing well now. As for checking your position, there are a number of ways. I always have the odd check by just looking down my side and thinking about where my limbs are when I'm hacking. The easiest is perhaps to ask someone, or if they have mirrors in the school where you ride use them; if not, how about getting someone to ttake a photo of you? The best is if you can ask someone to video you riding, then you can see how your position changes with the horse's movement.

Good luck!
 
madwoman

thanks, yea, the first time i rode my boyfriend had a disposable camera, and he wanted to take pictures (i swear he's like a soccer mom!) but they said he shouldn't use the flash (i was in the indoor ring, the flash might startle the horses) so those pics he took didn't come out. I guess i'll have him video next time. Yea, i was kinda assuming that my trainer would let me know, but i'd like to make sure for myself, ya know?
thanks though!
 
One thing that my instructor tells me is that my head, shoulders, hips and toes should all be in line with each other - so if your horse was taken away you would be almost in a standing up position, with your knees bent.
 
An old instructor of mine suggested standing up a bit in the stirrups. She would have her students stand like they would be while in the rising position during trot, but just stay there. If your leg is in the correct position, you should be able to balance: if your legs are too far back, you'll fall forward, legs too far forward and you'll fall back into the saddle. Once you get so that you can balance, leave your legs where they are and sink slowly back into the saddle.

Glad to hear things are going better in the lesson.
 
Too bad they don't have some large mirrors in the arena, like they do in dance studios. On second thought, maybe the horses wouldn't like seeing their reflections and try to start a fight? Never mind. :rolleyes:
I too am always wondering if my position is anywhere near correct. It's so hard to tell when you're in the saddle. :( Many horse books demonstrate the correct position from all angles, which I have found helpful.
 
Too bad they don't have some large mirrors in the arena, like they do in dance studios.
Click to expand...
They do in the indoor school at my place, so people can see how they're positioned. They're putting some in the new indoor school soon as well. There's quite a lot of dressage goes on and they definitely need to see how they're doing.

Kedwards: My instructor was getting me to stand and sit last night during walk for a few steps at a time. I wonder if it was to check my position and balance? It seemed ok as far as I could tell (which isn't very far;))

Paul
 
Paul C. and Kedwards
My instructor was going over standing with me also. I kept on falling forward but after five tries I did keep balance. Its still a long road till I can find the perfect position though.

This was on my second lesson. My instructor is awesome. She has a 10 minute gap between lessons go we can review things and lets you stay and watch other riders more advanced than you. Sort of like watching football game films in college!

Its great how once you get your voice consistant the horse listens better to you. On my first lesson it was all over the place.

Cynnycal- Looks like you are doing fine. Keep up the good work.
:)
Marty
 
Thanks!

Yea, i wish they had mirrors in my indoor one, it would help out. I'll try the videotaping thing (next lesson tuesday! yippee!)

So might there be a book with the view of the 'correct position' from an aerial view? that'd help (uh, maybe)

I mean, i'm enjoying myself, and i get so excited everytime i get to ride, it's like i'm a kid again!

My trainer did the whole 'stand up in the stirrups' thing, and she said she was just checkin my balance....it's hard! i think i do tend to fall back a bit when i try, so that makes sense that my feet are too far forward, since occasionally my trainer will say 'get that leg back'
i guess i just have to be more concious of everything. That's the toughest part about riding...if you are just starting out, before these things become habit or second nature to you, it's a whole lot of little things to remember to do all at once...but i enjoy it.
 
Originally posted by Paul C

They do in the indoor school at my place, so people can see how they're positioned.
Click to expand...

My (small) school has recently just built themselves a new indoor arena, one end of which is just one big giant long mirror for this purpose (aswell as for dressage). It's helpful but still hard to tell when your inexperienced (well that's what I found). My posture is absolutly atrochous at the best of times, as I'm just under 6ft2 I constantly end up ducking under eveything (especially here in Wales - some doorways not too far from where I live are just over 4ft! tall :eek: ), so this doesn't help matters. :(
 
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