My name is DebS and I perch.
I am on the road to recovery (in less than 12 steps), here is my testimonial.
Step 1. Recognizing there’s a problem is half the battle.
None of my instructors or riding buddies told me I perched. I did hear “sit up” a lot, and then I started to hear “relax” a lot because I was working so hard at “sitting up” that I became “stiff” from trying so hard… Suddenly, I couldn’t get a decent canter depart and lessons became a source of frustration. And so began a cycle of confused riding. I realized I needed help.
Step 2. Bring a camera/camcorder to the barn.
The camera doesn’t lie. One picture may not tell the whole story, but a whole roll gets pretty close and the video tape, besides adding 5 pounds, is brutally honest. I showed the pics to a rider friend at work who uttered those fateful words “Oh, you’re perched!”
The Horror.
Step 3. No bad horses
Now, we all know, we can’t blame the horse.
I do think less-than-forward school horses compound the problem, but the fault lies with the rider.
I do think educated and willing school horses will help fix the problem, as long as the rider works hard.
Step 4. Instructors
The kind of instructor you have can help or hinder the percher.
“The Natural” Sometimes the nicest riders make the poorest instructors. Particularly someone who’s “a natural”. These are the ones who are gifted with balance and feel. Great for them, not necessarily good for the student. They can’t always articulate what you’re doing wrong and how to correct it. They “just do it”, why can’t you? This can be a frustrating, demoralizing experience for the percher. As nice as they may be, it might benefit you to find someone else.
“Back to Basics”. Then there’s the instructor who will not let you progress until you get it right. This is not a particularly bad thing, as long as they’re actually helping you to improve and not just waiting for you to “get it”. Repeating the same lessons/mistakes over and over again. Some students recognize the futility of this type of training after 3 lesson, some after 3 years. But all of them usually move on toÂ…
“A Good Match”. This is an instructor who can communicate with you, has a good eye, and tries different methods for you to improve. You stick with them, see and feel the difference and just about “get it” but…you still need some fine tuning to allow you to progress furtherÂ…and you search outÂ…
“Centered Riding” I’ve read the book, I can visualize with the best of them, but until I actually took a lesson with a certified instructor, I was missing a big piece of the puzzle. There’s so much more to correcting perching than just sitting up. You really need to retrain your muscles, understand how your bones and joints hang together, breath, relax, focus and unfocus and all kinds of neat things that just improve your balance. An open mind is necesssary and mirrors help, too.
Step 5. Better horses
Now that you’ve improved your seat and balance you need to validate your progress. Find a horse that is confirmed in its gaits and likes its job. Get the feel of “What’s Right”. Really ingrain that feeling in your body and mind. This takes a lot of time, but unlike the “back to basics” instructor, you’re repeating the correct things and not the incorrect over and over. It feels soooo much better.
Now you can go back and ride the more challenging horses because you have an idea of what you want to achieve.
That’s about it. It only takes a few years, some soul searching, lots of reading and money. Good luck to all those perchers out there. You’re not alone.
[This message has been edited by DebS (edited 11-24-2000).]
[This message has been edited by DebS (edited 11-24-2000).]
I’m slowly getting better … my lower leg looks better all the time. 
oh I need help…