Leaning back

[anon40672407]

Thanks all, this will result in a lively conversation later today. (I’m sure my instructor SO looks forward to lively conversations!)

[Dr_Doolittle]

@doctordarling

This is so timely thank you OP. The simple test for sitting up, and was what was done on me at four days of dressage bootcamp [including ‘sitzanalyzes’] at a classical school/Lusi breeder stables in Eastern Germany last year was the running of the old dressage whip along the spine. Is it vertical.

I was on a highly educated school horse at the time, and going home to my PSG schoolmaster; both with good balance and developed backs.

Fast forward to now, I have a 5 rising 6 w/b mare - only had her for a month, and last weekend had a clinic where my coach encouraged me to nurture the mare’s back more by taking more weight on my thighs and bringing my upper body forward so as not to get behind her [generous!] big gaits. This felt a lot more secure, and the mare’s back started to swing beautifully.

In this latter position, my habitual pro-prioception or sense about where my back was though, led me to feel like I was leaning forward like a jockey, but the videos show me simply following her movement and staying in balance [?}

A few days ago I saw this pic below of Klaus B; his back is straight but his upper body is ‘in flow’ with the movement. Pic on the right is from bootcamp. I wanted these pics the other way around, sorry.

So I’m discovering how there are subtly shaded positions not only for disciplines but for training levels and horse muscle development.

:yes:

[Melissa.Van_Doren]

@Scribbler

I actually disagree that leaning back is a learning stage for developing riders. I’ve only seen one beginner / intermediate rider doing this and she’s a gosh awful rider with a plethora of position problems and I think some pain issues. Her coach has basically given up trying to fix her. Even so she might be getting a bit more upright over time.

Most intermediate riders fail by tipping forwards especially if they have prior hunter jumper seat experience ( ask me how I know!!).

I see alot of adult ammies and returning riders and also adult beginners and leaning back is simply not a common stage, either with good coaches that can give seat lessons or the crap coaches.

That exaggerated leaning back thing is something I only see in photos and video of pro riders on really big moving horses.

”‹”‹”‹”‹”‹”‹

You’re right - it’s not a commonly taught stage, and Charles de Kunffy would tell you it’s why a lot of riders never learn to sit effectively. Watch this clip when you have time (the whole thing will give you reference re before and after), and watch the (positive) change in the horse (because the rider is truly in the saddle and with the motion) when he has the rider assume the position I’m talking about. It’s a staple of his clinics for riders who need it.

I’ve watched riders lean back the Wrong Way for decades, but doing it with an understanding of the alignment/purpose of building strength and flexibility can really effect positive change.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tD3cx3LDRck

[punchy]

If the OP is tipping forward, her instructor would simply say ‘I’m telling you to lean back because you are tipping forward.’ But her instructor is not giving her an answer. If an instructor is telling you to do something without being able to explain why, I would get a new instructor.