How to stop dropping right shoulder when horseback riding?

Question

i drop my right shoulder about two inches and slouch throughout my ribcage area when I ride. I don't notice it until my trainer points it out. Do you know any back supports I can wear or exercises to strengthen my side? Please let me know!

Answer 1

It's really hard to get into the habit of breaking bad habits. When I'm asking my horse to bend, I have a tendency to drop my inside shoulder, and as a method of keeping it in my head, my trainer will scream at me as loud as she can, hoping to scare me or at least jog me enough next time to avoid the screaming. Then she'll say something like,

"How many times do I have to tell you not to drop that inside shoulder? You should have this fixed by now!" And she knows when she says stuff like that, it ticks me off so I ride better as to prove her wrong in a way. Of course, it's all part of her little devious scheme to make me take more away from her teaching, and it works.

So basically, until you start to annoy yourself, ask every other minute, 'Am I dropping my shoulder? My outside rein? Do I have my plumline? Do I have my building blocks?' Etc.

EDIT! I like Isabella's answer, you should try that crop thing.

Answer 2

its just like learning something new when riding, you have to concisouly think about it at first and then it will become habit :)

Answer 3

There is a back support thing, and / or the shoulders back thing.

I've never tried it, but it might give you more support and/or put your shoulders in the right position (hopefully not dropped!)

http://www.doversaddlery.com/product.asp...

good luck!

Answer 4

sit up straight from now on. Even when not riding.

Answer 5

I have the same problem, my right shoulder curls in because of bad accident.  I just have to check myself, the normal position now of that shoulder is in and down so its a wee bit hard.  I also have braces i wear...ok sometimes LOL they get in the way.

Answer 6

My trainer, when I began to slouch, but a long dressage whip behind my elbows and made me ride like that. Personally, I think he was crazy because I was on some crazy **** pony I was attempting to train, but I never fell off (Thankfully) I'd definately do some lounge lessons with a dressage whip behind your elbows! Train yourself to not look down, also, some core muscle exercises would definately help. Do some shoulder exercises (roll them, etc) some arm strengthening and some situps/variations of stomach exercise.

Good luck, but definately lounge and imagine a straight line connected to your helmet, the dressage whip behind your elbows and you should be flying straight soon. Also, practice a riding position on the ground! People think i'm crazy because I'm always lifting my toes off the ground and working on my posture in and out of the saddle,b ut it's worth it, trust me!

Good luck dear

Answer 7

Just sit up straight as you ride. It's just a habit - meaning you can fix it. You could try doing exercises such as lifting and dropping your shoulders or just remind yourself constantly to sit up straight. I used to do the same thing when I rode.

Answer 8

i do the same thing!

sometimes my trainer puts a bat or crop across my wrists, that way while i ride if i slouch and my hands become uneven the bat falls. its also a good way to keep your hands steady.

another excercise she sometimes has me do, is she puts a crop across my back, and then you put you arms around it so its in the crease of you arm... its kinda hard to explain, but it REALLY helps me keep my back straight. =]

hope this helps!