April 23, 2015

The Pelvis and Bend

Now that I've shared a couple of good rides, it's time to break down why those rides have been so good,  what has changed positionally and what it has done for Connor and I.  Biomechanics nuts, this one is for you.


My trainer noted two things to the right:
1. He tips me to the left and keeps me there, and I need to keep my right seatbone "glued" to the saddle.
2. His canter moves laterally to the outside with every stride to the right.

And to the left:
1. He gets heavy in the right (outside) rein, and the solution for that is more right leg.
2. He really needs support from the outside leg in that direction to encourage him to bring the outside of his body around the inside.

So I started thinking about this.  When she corrected my right seatbone thing, it felt like my crotch was over the pommel to the right.  It wasn't, and it actually made it easier to keep the top of my outside thigh against the saddle and my outside leg on him.  Also, that's the only position in which I can get him to half pass - makes sense now why the left was so much easier than the right half pass right from the beginning. (I wasn't sitting on the right side).

August 2014 trainer ride video still.

In that position, I could really put him together by half halting in the outside rein, then imagining that I was riding the outside seatbone to the inside ear.  That's position and line of thought is where that medium trot came from.  I seriously felt the leg-to-hand cycle of energy.

Then I thought about that concept going to the left, where I have a harder time putting him together.  That's how I realized that my entire pelvis is still in right bend positioning when going to the left, even when my torso is in left bend positioning, which explains why I hate being on the left rein and find it uncomfortable and blame it on Connor's inability to bend.  Newsflash: he's doing the best he can at bending left when my reins say 'bend left' but my seat and legs say 'bend right'.

Horse doesn't have a problem bending left.  I have a problem preventing him from bending left.

I have started focusing on that feeling I get on the right when I go to the left, of the top of my outside thigh touching the saddle, and really making sure my pelvis and torso are aligned together in asking for left bend.  Or as my trainer says "make sure the saddle is facing in the direction you are going."  Often, mine is not, but that's changing now.

11 comments:

  1. You know, Fiction has a hard time going to the left and it is also uncomfortable for me...but I tend to be heavily right-sided. I wonder if I'm experiencing the same issue. I'll have to try this out!

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  2. I have the SAME PROBLEM only going right! Loved reading this.

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  3. This is my problem too :( My trainer finally called me on it last Sunday so the timing of this post is amazing since the more in depth explanation is really helpful!

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  4. interesting! it's so amazing how much easier it becomes when we get ourselves properly aligned as riders lol.

    i am still struggling just to develop a feel for my seat and pelvis period - rather than the nuances of which side is doing what... but it's pretty clear that i'm crooked haha. really can't wait for my next biomechanics lesson!

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  5. I totally agree, it feels so weird to lengthen my leg on one side to weight a seat bone. First, my body is like: wut? no. And it definitely feels like I'm going to slide off that side of the saddle, even though I'm sure it looks correct. One thing is for sure, my hips have been screaming after every lesson since biomechanics came to town, but dang is it working. I'm very glad you and Connor are hitting that next level!

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    1. Thanks! We are signed up for the JLC clinic at the farm in August (haven't announced it yet) but I'm counting on you to be in the audience for it. :)

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    2. I am currently experiencing mini-delusions of bringing Tyco and riding in it myself...but without question, I will be there with bells on!

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  6. Sitting straight and even is SO HARD - we have the exact same problem, only I sit on the right seatbone. We should get together somehow lol!

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  7. I'm so crooked it's not even funny. You're lucky to have a trainer like this!

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  8. Ditto what SB said... I'm jealous you have a trainer who is that perceptive! And also that you are equally able to feel what it is she is trying to tell you.

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    1. To be totally fair, she did have to get on him to notice these things, but yes, she is outstanding at finding things like that. Which I need, because a natural, I am not.

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