If you are a rider, you have likely been told to “bring your shoulders back” or “sit up”.
These two pieces of riding advice are well intentioned but when misunderstood, they only make the rider less secure – more off balance, unable to move with the horse, and prone to a fall.
Yes, it is true you don’t want to slouch, lean forward, or be hunched over. But when you literally pull your shoulders back, it creates tension that makes you stiff. In other words, you won’t ride as well.
Join HorseClass instructor Kaitlyn McGarvey in this 6 minute video as she explains the right way to do “shoulders back” and “sit up”.
p.s. Did you know you can come to our HorseClass Farm Campus and work one on one with Kaitlyn in our Private Intensive events?
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3 Responses
“Shoulders back another way” was extremely helpful, giving me a different approach to be upright but relaxed. I have trouble keeping my right elbow back possibly due to rotator cuff surgery but I will try to see if this helps me there too.
Nice demonstration. I’m happy to hear you mention the collar bones because I think of it as “collar bones lifted” or “lift your collar bones” which is just a very slight movement.
I have a tendency to lean forward. I have arthritis in my hips and back. Doing well in keeping my legs in place, but when trotting I can’t keep my momentous going. I’m riding a riding school horse who loves to come to a stop when she gets the chance. So my heals are used to push her forward and then I loose momentum.