My long answer, about how continuous improvement takes outside eyes and if you want to get better you need a coach etc, makes their eyes glaze over and quickly change the subject. My short one is also true: 'Riding is hard'
While there was a lot to truly like from the show, there's a lot that drives me crazy about my riding.
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| I love this photo- she uphill and soft but what the hell am I doing with my left hand? (PC Amy Sangster) |
My biggest thing right now is my tendency to lean forward as soon as things get tense. I know why- it's my defensive posture. But honestly, it has to go because now I think I'm sitting up when I'm actually not. Which is why we need a person on the ground because our bodies lie to us.
So when Shanea offered a lesson on Wednesday at 12:30 when there was a heat warning I said 'sure' (although faintly).
I told her that I really wanted to work on this sitting forward. Carmen obliged by being a bit of dick about the far corner. (this is also really bugging me because it's only on the right rein):
I don't know where she got the energy to be so testing. With the humidex it was 39 degrees (102 Fahrenheit). Which for Nova Scotia is blistering. (The bucket you see there was filled with water so Shanea could periodically sponge Carmen down).
I don't help this whole issue by leaning forward so the lesson was on me sitting up and using my back to not let Carmen pull me forward.
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| here she is using that strong neck of her's to pull me then my lizard brain says 'lean forward so we don't die!' |
It's not Carmen's fault I do this- it's always been a flaw of mine. But her behaviour doesn't help me get rid of it. So I need to take charge.
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| so much better but I could be back even more |
Fortunately, I'm off to a clinic this weekend with Karen on balance in riding (she's a level 2 CR instructor). I'm hoping that I can get some ways to remind myself when I'm riding alone. It's a small clinic in a lovely setting. I'm staying with Paula so it will be another fun weekend with horse friends.
I'm sure that Carmen is excited. LOL, I expect that she's not a fan of my vacation.
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| Carmen's favourite way to vacation |
I have the same problem! I wonder if we are top heavy because of our protruding chests? I also slouch. Im trying to correct it with yoga, and visualization. My latest visualization is to remove all the creases from my front (no crease at chin as my head bobs down, no crease at my shoulders as I lean forward, no crease at my waist), and slide my shoulder blades into their pocket. So hard!
ReplyDeleteID love to blame it on my boobs! I got some great insights at the clinic to help me! Coming soon to a blog near you!
DeleteLOL lizard brain.
ReplyDeleteshe looks lovely, and what a fun way to spend your vacation!!
Lizard brain is totally a thing. 😁. I’m having a great vacation.
Deletei don't understand why non-horse ppl have such a hard time understanding riding lessons. maybe we should call it practice instead? lol... like, nobody bats an eye when you say, "oh i have to practice the piano" or "my soccer team has weekly practice" etc, but riding lessons? unheard of!
ReplyDeletePractice sounds good. I tend to say ‘coach’ because it seems to make more sense to people.
DeleteHorsemanship is a lifelong pursuit :D
ReplyDeleteAnd beyond!
DeleteI have this exact same issue and it stems from Gemmie dumping my butt in the dirt one too many times. I feel like I’m leaning on Eeyore’s butt when I’m actually finally straight up.
ReplyDeleteYup. Our bodies lie so badly.
DeleteI also have fought the leaning forward thing FOREVER. The most helpful thing I have found is to lift my chin. Try it just standing or sitting. Just lift your chin and see how it changes your posture. I have found chin up to be super helpful to my position fwiw.
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend!
I shall try that!
DeleteI used to lean forward. I think I kicked the habit by taking lessons that consisted of trainers yelling "sick back or you're gonna hit the dirt" over and over until I stopped.
ReplyDeleteShanea and I talked about finding a code word.
DeleteI think now matter how much we try to improve there's always something else that pops up to work on. My trainer used to tell me to keep my eyes up and look where I wanted to go when I leaned forward or for whatever else I was doing wrong. It seemed to help.
ReplyDeleteYes, looking up is always helpful. I don't know why I want to always look at my horse's neck!
DeleteI'm sorry I'm still sitting here mentally vomiting over the extreme heat. UGH!
ReplyDeleteI hope your clinic went well this weekend...and that it was cooler!
I always tell people it's like having a tennis coach or any other olympic sport coach.
ReplyDelete