Alignment: Your KEY to Stability and Security in the Saddle!
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- čas přidán 1. 06. 2021
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Alignment is arguably the MOST IMPORTANT part of your position. Whenever I see a new student, I always start with getting them in the correct alignment from their ear-shoulder-hip-to heel!
Why?
Finding and maintaining the correct alignment gives you stability in the saddle and helps you to stay on when your horse does something unexpected!
The correct alignment also puts your body and spine in the correct position where you can absorb the motion of the horse!
Finding the correct alignment and keeping your hands down also helps to lower your center of gravity - and this too is important for your stability in the saddle. Your center of gravity is higher when you are riding than it is when you are standing which is why you often feel top heavy and unbalanced in the saddle.
What are the biggest alignment issues?
Riders tend to either lean forward and their lower leg goes back, or they end up in a chair seat with their shoulders too far back and their heels out in front.
Which are you? Do you tent to tip forward or do you end up in a chair seat?
When you are not in the correct alignment, you are no longer able to absorb the motion of the horses’ back. Your hips lock up the instant that you are not in the correct alignment!
For the sitting trot and also the canter, the alignment is particularly important. If you feel that you are bouncing or unable to follow the motion of the horse it could be that you are not in the correct alignment!
Another important factor in alignment is saddle fit. The design of your saddle and knee rolls should help you to maintain the correct leg position. Some saddles can end up putting riders in a chair seat or tipping them forward!
So pay attention to your alignment and let me know how it goes for you! - Krátké a kreslené filmy
My instructor told me to glue my belly button to my spine, open my thighs more on the first beat during cantering and breath....... It works like magic during cantering.
Hi Amelia! Great video as always! My lesson instructors always tell me I'm tilting forward in the saddle, although I think I'm sitting up straight. I don't have my own horse, I ride the horses that the barn owns. Unfortunately I only have lessons once a week, so I don't get a lot of time to practise. But I've just purchased your free course on rider position, so I'm confident that my alignment and position will get better! Regards from the Netherlands! 💜
Keep up the great work! you've got this!
Thank you for the videos. I've had lessons for years but have never been taught properly. These videos makes it so much easier to learn and understand.
I tend to lean forward in my position. I will get practicing
So glad these have been helpful! Thank you for being here!
After not riding for 10 yrs! Ive found the hardest thing to get back is brining my eye up and sitting back!
I also have the bad habit of looking down at the horse's head. I keep telling myself one of us needs to be watching where we're going and it sure as heck isn't the bored school horse, lol. I also try to remind myself that the more I look down at the ground the more likely I'll end up there. But it's easier said then done. It's so frustrating not being able to get my body to do what my mind knows it should.
Thank you heartily for your videos on Canter, Alignment, Stirrups, Quite hands. Very nice & helped to overcome lots of struggling in cantering, lossing stirrups, balancing & your videos enabling to gain confidence in the riding.
My instructor and fellow riders have me ride with the legs in the proper position and out of the stirrups. I tend to lean forward, this method seems to help me reduce the lean
I am definitely at fault for looking down-- I need to fix that part of my alignment. I think I tend to tilt forward occasionally, this tendency is probably from my past years as a hunter-jumper rider. Thank you for your videos, they give me a goal each week to work on.
Hi Amelia, thank you for your video's which I am finding useful. I have a retired polo pony who remains full of beans and enjoys life at the age of 28 yrs. I find I do tip forward and have a tendency to look down. I am constantly trying to align my position and you are helping. I wish I had mirrors to assist me, but try to sometimes get someone to video me. I want to try dressage but I feel my position will let me down. I will keep practicing and thank you for giving me the confidence to recognise my faults.
I always recommend getting some video of yourself when you can! It can be so helpful. Thanks for following along!
Definitely I tend to lean forward.
you are a star, an angel on earth Amelia
Forward!!
I've always been a nervous rider due to accidents in my childhood, so I tend to lean forward. It is getting better as I have regular lessons with a dressage rider to learn the correct way of riding 😊
That's great! Have you checked out my free mini-course on confidence? It might help you too: amelianewcombdressage.com/free-confidence-mini-course/
Definitely chair seat! This was great visual.
Hi Amelia, I love the precision of your instructions.. Alignment is my biggest struggle. My horse is hot, uneducated in dressage & resistant to the bridle -still! I'm constantly trying to make adjustments to help her & myself. I've gotta say my stability is fairly solid now. But I really want to achieve correct riding position to maximize my effectiveness of aids & for my mare's comfort & ability & to progress correctly.. I have big problems keeping my legs back, sitting up straight, holfing neutral spine - I arch my back too much & yet tend to slouch & my pelvis istipped forward. & my hands are not still enough, especially at the trot. You make it look so effortless.
Saddle fit has been evaluated, & I have adjustable knee blocks, but still struggling where to place them. When I watch my own videos I find I look different to the way it feels.
Appreciate all your help. 🐎🌷🙏
I definitely end up in a chair seat. Would love recommendations on saddles to help keep my legs in alignment! Love your videos!
There are amazing videos on CZcams on the female rider’s pelvis and correct saddle fit for the female rider. Saddlefit4life and Schleese saddlery have many videos that are so educational on both horse and rider saddle fit.
There are also amazing saddle fitting people who fix and change the saddle from what the rider and horse needs 😊 my friend had a custom made saddle to help her with her leg 😸
Thanks!
Great video Amelia, thank you. Chair seat is what I am mostly guilty of.
I appreciate you telling me about alignment. However i noticex your gelding prefers it when you do sit out of your seat slightly. Its a relief from his back. Again you reminded me of how important it is to record our practice. Thanm you coming from a western rider adding on hunting and jumping! Love ya!
When I first started riding in January I went more chair seat but now that I’m stronger physically when I do get tired and collapse my core I pitch forward because my horse drops onto the forehand. I have been doing more stirrup-less seat lesson work to improve my seated trot which is where I fall apart. My horses canter is smoother so not an issue there.
I was having trouble ending up in a chair seat in my trot and canter work. I have a saddle with adjustable thigh blocks. I re positioned the thigh blocks to help position my legs back under me a little better. It made a huge difference. My seat stays much better in the middle of the saddle, before it seemed like a had a lot of room behind my seat. I must have been sliding forward as my legs were positioned a little ahead of me and I kept ending up with my shoulders behind the vertical. My instructor has noticed a huge improvement in my position. It even helped me ride with shorter reins because my reins were always getting too long as well. My horse is also loving my improved position. He is more relaxed and is responding to my half halts better. Thank you Amelia!!!
Thanks for the good primer, and thank you for wearing an excellent shirt for the purpose.
thank you for such videos! for me as a beginner very helpful!
I’m a saddleseat rider so I definitely tend to get into a chair seat.
Looking down guilty! Leaning forward tendency but getting better! Also I collapse and fall right! But also getting better! Just keep focusing on my bad habits and trying to be a better rider! Great video! ❤
I am definitely a leaning forward rider and am working on it all the time, thanks for your clear advice
No problem Philipp! Thanks for watching!
Also, here’s a link with all of my free courses!
www.amelianewcombdressage.com/giving-back-now-and-always-black-friday-2022/
I tend to tip forward when I'm not feeling secure--sort of aiming for the protective fetal position--that's also when my hands go up. I have a very patient instructor who is getting me to keep my correct alignment and hands even if the horse spooks or things get a bit tense!
Hello Mila thank you so much for that great and well professional videosor, I realy learned a lot from it and I M still learning. ❤❤❤
thank you!
Thank you so much for your teaching, I get so much out of it 😊
Bit of both : ahead and behind.
Thanks Amelia ! You are a good teacher.
I tend to tip forward especially at the canter depart. This fault caused me to get bucked off recently, so that accident really drove home the need to focus on that aspect of my position.
I look down and tip back haha it's definitely awkward. My saddle fits my horse much better than it fits me too which doesn't help. Thank you for another fantastic video
Best video, Amelia! Such a perfect example of alignment. I teach beginners and this will help.
I really enjoy your videos, I have improved my seat so much by watching and working on your instructions. I have trouble getting my horse to do a twenty meter circle on the right lead, he keeps turning sharply to the inside, any suggestions on keeping him out on the proper circle path. Thanks.
I definitely am a forward tipper🤦♀️
Me too 🤦♀️
I try to do constant self check ins by saying to myself “eyes up, nose up, chin up sternum up or up and slightly forward (instead of shoulders back), bellybutton up (bellybutton in toward spine), tailbone Down (pelvic tilt for my lordosis), bend knee (to make sure knee has correct angle and is light). thigh and knee forward and down, heel back underneath me, heel towards hind legs and the I constantly remind myself that nobody should be able to see the sole of my boots if they are behind me on the horse (it helps to remind me that I need to use my leg from the hip and not by bending at the knee). Once you come up with a list of words or phrases and an order to go through to remind yourself, you just have to start at one end of your skeleton (I always start at the head) and the down through each important body part or area of the skeleton that helps keep you in alignment and hopefully it helps with reminding you to check and fix areas that need the help.
You rock ! Seriously , I love your training videos . I have a PRE, 11 years old and he is fabulous , but I’m not so fabulous 🤣. He can move for a trainer so stunning , but my alignment consistently messes him up . Thank you for touching base on this . You affirm good riding , truly love your way of teaching and demonstrating !
Check out our FREE Dressage Rider Assessment Quiz: Https://quiz.amelianewcombdressage.com
Sitting forward and leaning to the right !
Found this really helpful, so tomorrow I am asking my coach to focus on alignment and hands but I always gain something from your videos, thank you!
Thanks for watching Kerry! I'm so glad it helped! And don't forget to subscribe to get notified of my weekly videos.
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Ok that’s the lot I promise. Have an awesome day! 🐴
Thank you so much for your videos. They help me so much! I definitely tip forward. I was in a riding accident about a year and half ago. Since my accident, I tip forward more than ever. I really have to work on this. I really appreciate all of the time and effort you put into your videos.
Thank you! I am glad they help you!
Great video!!! I tend to stiffen and pitch forward. I think after watching you it's due to locking my hips. I will definitely focus on my center of gravity and keep my eyes UP. THANK YOU!!!
I often lean forward, also guilty of looking down a lot too
I had a coach who used to say that to check your lower leg alignment you could post up for 2 down for one, this is when I did hunter jumper, do you agree that that is a helpful way to check your position in dressage? Thank you so much for all of you videos to be honest I think I do a bit of both of these tips since I rode jumpers and then did western!🤦🏼♀️😆
i tip forward with my lower leg forward too..... i basically curl up when my horse spooks or whatever, i know its bad but i can't seem to help doing it
I definitely tend to lean forward both in asking to go and in reaction to a stumble. For canter/lope, I had someone tell me I was supposed to use that chair position. Most of the time I am unable to get my horse to canter in the first place so I've only had one short stretch of canter on an open part of the trail. Never managed in the arena. She wasn't trained professionally so I'm not sure what her canter aids are to know if I'm asking in a way she doesn't understand or if it's timing or what.
I am good with walk, sitting trott, and canter! But I tip forward in posting trott 🤦♀️
Also love your videos! I found you through your brother and just adore the information you put out! 🇦🇺❤️
I wonder if maybe hor saddle is making this happen. Sometimes if the stirrups are attached a touch to far forward and or not attached to the saddle in just the right spot for the particular rider’s skeleton or pelvis, it can cause this issue. It is common with female riders because we requiyour stirrups to be attached further back on the saddle than an average saddle or one that fits a male rider better. You should send in a clip for Amelia to check out.
I tend to lean forward. Had a lesson this morning and was working on what it feels like to really be in the proper position when doing sitting trot. My horse thought I wanted to canter when I leant back to the correct position and I got a little scared because he lifted his head. But my trainer told me that if he does go into canter to do a half halt to get him back to trot, that it’s not a big deal. Wish it wasn’t so hard for me to lean back to the correct position. Hopefully will get better as I practice more 🙂
I love to see video of lessons like that. You can really learn so much from watching other riders and listening to the instructor at the same time.
Definitely I lean forward.
I am a forward one
Haha I have finally fixed my posture 😂❤🎉 first I went forward then I bent backwards and then forwards again and now I can finally sit straight 😂❤
Fantastic!
Recomendations for saddles? I can't find the video you mention...
My saddle is too high in the back so I will tip forward with my leg shooting back. And then I wonder why my leg aids are not effective. Very eye opening video. Thank you!
I'm glad you enjoyed it! Please subscribe as it helps me out a lot and you get notified of my weekly videos!
Definitely feet forward. Part of it is my inflexibility due to sitting in a chair all day. I have been doing flexibility exercises to work on my position. Hoping it helps! Any other suggestions? Saddle fit was just checked...it’s me, not the saddle. :(
Hi Amelia i have a problem that i have tendency to be in front of my horse. I am 180cm tall . And i always look on horses head trying to remove this bad habit :) but i ride without treiner so it is little buit difficult. I learned much from your videos . They are really thankfull
There is more position stuff coming soon! Stay tuned and subscribe!
I tip forward! And I look down. I’m working on it though.
I tend to lean forward when riding and loose my stirrups
I lean forward.
I used to be a jumper, recently finding a full seat. I tend to rotate forward especially because most of the horses I've ridden are green or lame... So, how fast would you use a full seat on a green horse?
I tip forward.
Thanks for watching and subscribing Barbara, and don’t forget to subscribe to get notified of my new weekly content!
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I struggle with chair seat!!
Hi there, where can we find the saddle fit link you spoke of?
I tip forward
Forward Tipper 🙋🏻♀️
My right side is my week side
Question. All this apply to a jump rider? I mean, there's a difference on the technic.
Hi Maria,
Although jumpers ride with slightly different stirrup length and seat, alignment is still important and these tips will help keep you more stable in the saddle.
Forward leaner to be sure
I tip forward and my lower leg goes back. Therefore struggling with the sitting trot.
I have a couse that might help: amelianewcombdressage.mysamcart.com/checkout/dressage-rider-position-seat-and-legs-workshop
I tip forward when speeding up, thinking falsely that it's more secure.
I am chair seat for sure 🤔
I have a problem with my shoulders. I struggle to keep my shoulders back.
Wondering if I helped inspire this video!
Is there difference in seating position between British and Western riding? My western riding instructor tells me I should sit on my jeans pockets and I feel I am leaning backward too much. I cannot align my ankle correctly.
Yes, sometimes in Western riding you do sit a little farther back than in English....
I lean forward
Many riders struggle with this!
🙌🙌🙌
I’m a hunter rider and my biggest position issue is tipping forward 🤦🏻♀️
Hope this helps you!
I tend to tip forward when I get fatigued.
I am always tipping forward and looking down.
I find it difficult to not be in a chair seat, tight hips and short thighs, taking legs off and back just gives me cramp. Help!!!
Buenas a todos hay una opción que se puede poner el vidio en español
Espero que si
Un saludo
We are working on Spanish translations!
I think my saddle might not fit me properly because I really struggle to feel secure and I feel like I can't find center at all, unless I ride my mom's horse, in her saddle.... time to go shopping!!
How to stay seated at an extended trot with a horse with a lot of suspension.
Developing a strong core and control of your rider position is essential. I have a great free PDF on rider position, check it out! amelianewcombdressage.com/free-rider-position-mini-course-o/
I tend to end up in a chair seat and my legs forward 😢
I tend to tip back.
I think I lean a little forwards, but my biggest mistake is that my hands are wide open often 😞
Tilt forward....
How to stay on the saddle your horse
I tip forward ex hunter
Always leaning forward! Ugh! 🤦🏻♀️
I lean forward, BAD! Help
Thanks!
Thanks so much Kriss!
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