Tipping forward

[spaghetti_legs]

what a lovely horse, first of all

Have you tried lifting your hands a bit more and focusing on physically leaning back - it feels terrible, like you are lying on the horse’s rump, but when you see pictures, you realise you’re only up straight!! I agree 100% with suggestions made by AnotherRound and MM

[FancyFree]

AR is right. Have you ever done a pelvis thrust in a work out video? Jane Fonda used to incorporate them a lot. You tilt your pelvis forward. You can practice while in shoulder wide stance, then shift the pelvis bone forward.

I can from hunters too. It is a different position. I would over-compensate when I first started riding dressage by sitting back and down, farther than I was used to, to get in the correct position. It felt really odd for awhile. You’ll get it. Then if you ever do hunters again, you’ll have to do the reverse. :lol:

Riding down hills is good advise.

[Hampton_Bay]

You shouldn’t be sitting on your seat bones though. You should be balanced on your crotch AND your seat bones.

It could be that this saddle does not sit correctly on your bay pony. Does it seem to tip down in front more than on the other pony? That will change how it fits YOU. I know the WOW saddles are quite adjustable, so can you maybe check about having the front of the tree changed if that might help it sit better?

Also, try to scoot yourself forward in the saddle until your crotch meets the pommel (do this while halted so you don’t have to deal with the movement of the pony). Does that make it easier to sit up with your pelvis in a neutral position? Or are you still sitting with your butt poked out when you allow your crotch to rest on the rise of the pommel?

As for the saddles I like, the Kieffers fit me wonderfully. I ride in a JP Giacomini saddle though because it fits me wonderfully as well, and my mare likes it better. She hates wool panels. If I were looking for something off the shelf though, the Kieffer would probably be my first choice. I would like to try the Bates Innova though.

I too have a long thigh and a tipped pelvis. Saddle shopping sucks. I am currently afraid the JP Giacomini is going to end up being too narrow for my 3yo Arab once he is done growing. That thought scares the living daylights out of me.

[butlerfamilyzoo]

These are pictures from today’s lesson. My husband got a whopping 3 before the battery died. I’m adding in the standing shot he took as that may help “see” for those who may know, if my pelvis is tipped. I know Mike made a comment about my back curving in the “middle,” i’m not so sure it does when looking at the photo. I’m just so incredibly short waisted that it looks in the middle but it is really above my tail bone? I always seem much longer in the saddle than standing i think. I can tell you that after this lesson of really making an effort to be tall and back, the muscles around my tail bone, mostly the top side, HURTS. As in, i keep touching my toes to stretch it. Its a deep ache, almost feels more arthritic than muscle. Hard to describe.

I do need to lift my hands, i’m working on it. For whatever reason, i want to carry them lower on smaller horses.

As for pelvic thrust exercises, i can do (and do) them on the exercise ball all day long, i can keep a hula hoop going like no body’s business… I know the feeling, i know it needs to come under me more. BUT, doing so “I” feel and once had a couple very good trainers tell me, i’m artificially straightening my back (pushing the natural curve outword) if i “tuck” my butt, and doing so makes my shoulders round more. So i’m not sure if i may be fighting the way i’m built?

I do need to teak my saddle and i SOOOO wish i could find a gosh darn (inter lots of explitives here) Flair fitter to adjust it for this pony. It is her saddle now, i do not use it on anyone else anymore. My trainer today thought it sat perfectly level without me in the saddle, but we do think it may tip down a tad when i sit in it. I’m not sure if i need to go to a smaller gullet or put more air in the front, or both.

We agreed to stick with this saddle until i lose more weight and get more in shape and see if i’m still having the same issues with it. If i am, i’ll be back on the hunt. It will be interesting to get the bates innova for my other mare and see how i ride in it. I cant afford it for another month though.

But anyway, here are todays pics. Please ignore the pony, we were working on throwing her face away a little today to let her find her own balance rather than me doing it for her. Cant say i did a good job of it, its a hard habit to break.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y67/butlerfamilyzoo/Fudge/SDC10759.jpg?t=1242332179

I think in that shot i am leg yeilding out on the circle.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y67/butlerfamilyzoo/Fudge/SDC10761.jpg?t=1242332083

I seem a little collapsed on the inside here if i wanted to be picky, and wish i would have had my hands a tad higher. I did get better with the hands towards the end of the lesson, but of course, batteries dead then.

And here is the standing shot.
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y67/butlerfamilyzoo/Fudge/SDC10764.jpg?t=1242333416

I always think when i look at shots like this of myself that it looks like someone took the pic and squished the top half… I hate being short waisted.

I know a Kieffer wont work for me, they rub me raw, love them for my position (though its been a good 3yrs since i’ve ridden in one), but that narrow twist and hard leather does me in.

So please, i know these pics suck, but i would love your oppinions on these.

[lizathenag]

I think you look like a very nice rider and would be happy to have you on my horse.

Pregnancy and childbirth does a lot of biochemical stuff to your body. I think you can give yourself a break for a bit longer and just enjoy your horse.

then do Pilates! and ride in a good fitting saddle. You have received some excellent advice on this thread.

[Carol_O]

Try rolling your bottom under you a bit. Sit on the buttocks, not the seatbones.