If you’ve tried one, did you find it worthwhile? My posture is not horrible but there is deffinitely room for improvement as far as my shoulders being consistently back and down while in the saddle. Just wondering how effective (or not) other equestrians have found them.
I bought one to correct my horrid hunched over position. I can honestly say, it never once made it out of it’s can. I ended up selling it. I realized it’s just a matter of motivation. If I couldn’t even make myself take it out of the can, I wasn’t committed to improving my position anyway. I decided to just be aware of my short comings and make a conscious effort to fix it.
Does baling twine around my elbows or a jumping bat behind my back (through the elbows) as a child in riding lessons count? 
:lol:
Seriously, I have had several clients swear by the equicube and Balimo chair.
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Honestly i found for me i had to focus on it out of the saddle to improve in the saddle time. But then i only have one or 2 horses in work at any time. 2 hours in the saddle 4-6 days a week can’t compete with the time outside being slack postured.
If you work at a desk make sure your work station is well set up and you are able to sit up well. This year i’ve been workign at 2 different offices, one set up the other not. I ended up with shoulder bursitits due to being slacker at the not set up office. its now better set up but will take me awhile to get the muscle memory back i think.
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In order to keep your shoulders back while riding, you have to train your muscles to hold in that spot. If you use a brace or other artificial device, you are teaching those muscles that they don’t have to do anything because now the device is working and taking over from the small amount those lazy muscles were doing. So most likely things will get worse, not better and you’d have to wear the brace all the time.
Two things seem to help me. First is thinking of my armpits down. Second is feeling my elbows by my sides, and controling my hands via my elbows.
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Ive used a stretchy back strap for a blanket wrapped around my elbows/arms and behind my back to keep my shoulders back and elbows by my sides. It worked much better than the old whip trick, and I didn’t have to spend any money on fancy gadgets.
It really worked my core, and as I built more core strength and muscle memory, I was able to hold the position much better without the use of the aid.
[QUOTE=pacific_jumper;8710199]
Ive used a stretchy back strap for a blanket wrapped around my elbows/arms and behind my back to keep my shoulders back and elbows by my sides. It worked much better than the old whip trick, and I didn’t have to spend any money on fancy gadgets.
It really worked my core, and as I built more core strength and muscle memory, I was able to hold the position much better without the use of the aid.[/QUOTE]
What kind of riding did you do? I could see this working on a longe lesson, but it sounds kind of dangerous if you were doing a full schooling session, if the horse spooked or something, and your arms are tied behind you back?
I really found the Equicube to work. I would prefer to use it in a longeing lesson, until I’d really strengthened my core as I found my hands bounced a bit too much in the early stages. My horse rather resented me bouncing it off his withers. That said, I really felt it in my core, shoulders, and back.
I have one I use at work, sitting in front of a computer. It’s great. I’ve worn it 4 or 6 hours in a day. Correcting your posture is very difficult to do; you have to think about it almost constantly to actually accomplish it. When I wear it regularly, there is a noticeable difference in my posture.
[QUOTE=PonyPenny;8708091]
This one may work. http://www.equicube.net[/QUOTE]
This thing is either the greatest invention ever or the spawn of the devil. We have one at our farm now. :lol::lol::lol:
Thanks everyone! Like many of us, I work in front of computers all day which causes may of the posture problems you’d expect. I do a lot of strength training in addition to my riding and make a conscious effort to be aware of my posture throughout the day. I’m not looking for a quick fix or something that will correct without effort on my part. Just looking for an additional aid to help me improve my shoulder position.
The equi cube has really sparked my interest, I may have to give it a try!!
I bought a shoulders back years ago thinking it might help me at shows. I tend to round them when I think of something else, so wanted a reminder. They cut into my armpits and made me extremely uncomfortable. I am a good size gal but was fairly thin then and bought a large. Total waste of money in my opinion.
I really don’t like anything that holds you in one position, unless there’s a medical need for parts of your body to be braced. I’m partial to incorporating stretches into your daily routine. That way you can expand your range of motion dynamically instead of just forcing it abruptly into one position
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What’s helped me is regular work outs with a personal trainer who “gets” the importance of posture and core strength in riding. My “strength training” before was not focused enough to help systemically improve my posture and core strength.
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I just took the leap and ordered an Equicube. I’m hoping I can also figure out a way to use it off my horse as I don’t have an indoor.
I have a tendency to round my shoulders as well, and nothing gets me more motivated than seeing photos of myself with slumped shoulders. I can’t stand it! All I need is someone to point a camera at me and I instantly remember!
Mary Wanless suggested that I project a beam on f light from the top of my sternum to my horses poll…that image helps me keep my shoulders open and no hunching over
I sit on a Balimo chair most of the time while at home. Great to open hips and keep the pelvis flexible
We have used royal posture at our barn
