Rider Symmetry and Straightness

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4 жыл бұрын

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Rider Straightness and Symmetry: Align Your Shoulders and Knees!
Straightness is something that we ALL struggle with in Dressage because every horse and every rider are innately asymmetric! Traditionally in Dressage, when we hear the word “straightness,” we immediately think about the horse! BUT it is IMPOSSIBLE FOR A HORSE TO BE STRAIGHT WHEN THE RIDER IS CROOKED!!!
While some riders are naturally straighter than others, ALL riders are crooked to some extent. The tricky part about riding, it that the horse is effected by EVERY asymmetry and it can be very difficult to determine the root cause of the asymmetry!
For many of my students, it has helped to think about keeping the line between the knees and the shoulders “straight” and horizontal to the ground. If you imagine a line that goes through the horse and between your knees, this line must be horizontal at all times. Often, the horse will want to carry the rider off to one side or the other, or the rider will want to sit on one seat bone or the other, or the rider will draw their leg up and clamp with one leg to “hang on.” All of this results in uneven knees and a crooked rider.
The second, and more complicated line is the line between the shoulders. Again, the line between the shoulders of the rider should stay horizontal. If one shoulder is higher than the other, this will put more weight on the opposite seat bone and negatively impact the seat of the rider.
The rider must also be able to rotate the shoulder and bring one shoulder forward and the other shoulder back without rotating the hips. This move is essential for properly turning the horse. In a left hand circle, the left shoulder of the rider must come back and the right shoulder should come forward WITHOUT collapsing or raising one shoulder!
Try to visualize these lines and focus on keeping them straight and parallel the next time your ride! Your horse will thank you!
What is your biggest struggle with symmetry in your riding?

Пікірлер: 72

@danw6014 4 жыл бұрын

It is very helpful. Thank you. I load my right hip out of a habit from thousands of hours on a tractor. I do it when I drive too. Now I have added sit up straight to my check list after I start my truck.

@AmeliaNewcombDressage 4 жыл бұрын

Yes! So important!

@animallover4101 4 жыл бұрын

I was told by an equine chiropractor that 90% of the population do this. When I drive I try to remember to stretch out my left leg and this seems to balance my seat

@mitzisamek9455 3 жыл бұрын

Very helpful use of lines on your shirt to visualize it better

@KimH11 4 жыл бұрын

Fantastic video !! I always look forward to seeing your vids, you are a great coach

@loribradley5498 4 жыл бұрын

On a prior video you posted, a subscriber helped suggest exercises to help me with my injuries from a car collision. It has helped improve my strength somewhat. But I’m still bearing asymmetrical riding impacting my horses body movements. Awareness is key, exercise helps, and video is a fantastic tool. Thank you for your time to create, edit, and post this video. I appreciate Your advice and the supportive community you have developed helps so much.

@AmeliaNewcombDressage 4 жыл бұрын

Glad it is helpful! And yes, unfortunately we all have asymmetries that we will always have to work to correct!

@saratylosky257 4 жыл бұрын

This so true! I have multiple injuries and spine twisting from birth, so I'm a mess. I loved the part about when you are in a circle that the inside shoulder should be slightly back as I have a left shoulder that is higher, and so have to be very aware and I have been struggling when going in a left circle, left canter left everything and this might be why! I will let you know when I try this left shoulder awareness in my circles next time. Thanks for explaining this so clearly!

@lindav3747 3 жыл бұрын

Even as I’m watching this I notice some odd asymmetries on my left shoulder and side - it feels normal and familiar dropping my left shoulder down and a little twisted to the left. So glad I’m watching this. I need to be super mindful of this next time I ride !! Great video.

@katiek619 4 жыл бұрын

This is so helpful! I’ve been struggling with straightness and felt like it was due to something unfixable in my horse or myself. This gives me something to work on! The knees were something I never considered but once you said it, makes complete sense.

@hattie2525 4 жыл бұрын

This is so helpful. I have a partially fused pelvis and scoliosis so I genuinely think it's impossible for me to sit absolutley straight but I'm really going to concentrate on my knees and shoulders moving forwards. I always find my left rein circles feel like my horse is in quarters out and hanging on my inside rein which must come from me somehow, I do find riding a few steps with my eyes closed makes me much more aware of my body but still a long way to go!

@AmeliaNewcombDressage 4 жыл бұрын

Yes! Riding with your eyes closed is really helpful!!

@anne-mariespear4595 4 жыл бұрын

Like my horse...... It sounds like your horse is stiff travelling to the left (on the left rein) so they will fall in onto the left shoulder and the quarters will fall out - On the right hollow rein the horse will fall out through the outside left shoulder and the right hind will fall in - This is horse asymmetry - like Amelia mentions, both horse and rider have asymmetries. I do like your idea of riding with your eyes closed

@deeparker6474 3 жыл бұрын

Fantastic demo as always Amelia. Really good information combined with achievable goals. Keep up the good work and thank you from the UK.

@amandabonfante8863 4 жыл бұрын

Omg thank you about the comments on your leg when you track right! I often prop my phone up and record myself riding and I always noticed tracking right my leg looks significantly shorter. My stirrups are the same length and and pelvis looked even but I couldn’t figure out why my leg got so much shorter! Now I’ll try to focus on putting more weight in my stirrup so my leg doesn’t creep up.

@carolinlarson4089 4 жыл бұрын

Your videos are always so helpful because you explain in simple terms and give visuals of problem then correction. One of the biggest struggles is realizing and feeling when I am misaligned or crooked. Many times, I feel perfectly straight and centered and you will tell me I’m off to one side, too far back, or one leg is higher or more forward than the other. I’ve gotten so used to my physical quirks that even when slightly off, it feels even! My knees/heels/hips tend to be the problem, I think, more than my shoulders. They are the “feel” I will work on going forward so my horse has a more even rider 😊

@marynoseworthy8994 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the video! Amazing job showing the difference and different faults. As a visual person this sure helps!

@AmeliaNewcombDressage 4 жыл бұрын

Glad it's helpful!!

@donnawells9782 4 жыл бұрын

Amelia, I just love your videos and instruction. You are great. I can't tell you how much you've helped me. Thank you so much

@Mi55Jessica 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you for this video. Today I schooled my horse bareback for the first time and noticed I was slipping left and my right knee kept coming up. Especially in trot. Something with a saddle I wasn’t aware of then your video came this evening. Something to be aware of on tomorrow’s ride. Thank you 🙏🏻

@NataliaKedzierska 4 жыл бұрын

Great video, lots of great examples. I have uneven legs - my right leg is just a little bit longer, therefore I always have better support on that stirrup, so totally relatable!

@cinnamongeppelt2362 3 жыл бұрын

Just made so much more sense to be and helped me understand what my instructor tonight was talking about when she said I caused the horse to drop with my shoulders.

@beateindahl8100 4 жыл бұрын

Very helpful video, you're videos help a lot in the dayli training of my young horse. :)

@juliabavin7462 9 ай бұрын

OMG, I see myself in all the points you have discussed. I am looking forward to improving my symmetry & straightness. Thank you

@AmeliaNewcombDressage 9 ай бұрын

Glad this video helped! Thanks for watching!

@michellecan6189 4 жыл бұрын

Fantastic video...I tend to rotate my pelvis from an old injury.

@cindynoble2037 4 жыл бұрын

Very useful video..thank you, Amelia. Right shoulder injury for me so always a struggle to maintain relaxation and symmetry 🙄BTW..what is that gorgeous purple blooming tree? And Don Carlos is such a nice boy!🐴

@luciemarinov129 3 жыл бұрын

Absolutely the very problems I have! Thank u so much for this awesome lesson!

@snickercappydo 4 жыл бұрын

Yes so helpful! I have a problem with my both knees and shoulders. My horse leans on my left side so it causes my left knee to draw up. To correct it I’m constantly moving him off my left leg. I also twist my shoulders with my left shoulder coming forward. To correct myself I make sure I can’t see my left shoulder in the corner of my eye. I also have learned to open up my left hip and use my whip on his front shoulder to move him off that side.

@martafrancis3488 3 жыл бұрын

I must work on me . I have had multiple injuries and straightness is what I need. Thank you!

@amandadonaghey7540 4 жыл бұрын

What a useful riding jacket! I want one! I have also a left shoulder injury. Your description turned a light on for me. Going to have a look tomorrow!

@AmeliaNewcombDressage 4 жыл бұрын

The are from Visualise Canada! The shirts are so helpful to see straightness!

@amandadonaghey7540 4 жыл бұрын

@@AmeliaNewcombDressage bloody genius! What a difference a thought makes! Was having problems with correct lead (4yr old PRE mare) my instructor suggested she might have problem in her loins; just remembering my shoulder before the ask and she's been correct each time - thank you 👍

@amandadonaghey7540 4 жыл бұрын

@@AmeliaNewcombDressage joined the queue as they're out of stock 🧐

@Lynne2106 4 жыл бұрын

This was so very helpful! Thank you!

@AmeliaNewcombDressage 4 жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

@chandorequestrian 4 жыл бұрын

Very helpful! Thank you so much

@marycullen5750 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you Amelia exactly what I needed today!

@AmeliaNewcombDressage 4 жыл бұрын

So glad!

@jenniferwhelan2141 4 жыл бұрын

Always was aware of asymmetries in my pelvis... never noticed my shoulders til I graduated to sitting trot work, then I realised how it was coming from my shoulders more...

@AmeliaNewcombDressage 4 жыл бұрын

Yes!! It’s so important to fix the shoulders in order to get the pelvis straight!

@xoxohomes 4 жыл бұрын

Fantastic video

@ingridedisen7802 4 жыл бұрын

Even while watching this tape and putting my arms out as you do (like airplane wings), then twisting in one direction or the other, I can feel my feet (on the floor) changing in their contact to the floor (!). This would definitely translate to stirrup pressure variants, etc. Hmm. Very humbling video.Thank you.

@halletennie6358 4 жыл бұрын

Its very helpful!! Love your vidoes wish you was my coach💞

@carlosbeirao6070 3 жыл бұрын

Awesome video !! Tks a million:

@surajrawal2886 4 жыл бұрын

This was sooo helpfull mam , thanks a lottt for correct guidelines

@leemc.8843 4 жыл бұрын

Love your videos.

@creeksideacres 4 жыл бұрын

Where can I get that jacket? Love your videos. Your such a beautiful rider!

@Flying0Dismount 4 жыл бұрын

As both a saddler and a coach, listening to your descriptions and watching your saddle as you ride, I would say you have a slight saddle balance issue that is contributing to how you are sitting on the horse. Most horses are "left handed" and therefore have a less developed right side, in particular the shoulder area. The smaller right shoulder causes the front of the saddle to fall into the "hole", which results in you, the rider sitting unevenly in the saddle. It also allows the saddle to shift in various ways as you change directions, etc all of which will affect how you sit in the saddle and therefore your straightness. If you'd be willing to experiment, try inserting a shim over just the right shoulder- use whatever thickness allows your knees to be even and then try a ride and let us know what differences you feel. Straightness has to start from the rider, but if the platform you are sitting on is not level, it makes being straight incredibly difficult... An unlevel saddle will tilt your pelvis and mess with our body sense and can be the cause of riders collapsing their side or many other faults when they feel they are trying to be straight. The shirt is a very good tool as it tells you visually that despite your body telling you that you are straight, that you are very definitively NOT straight and with that visual feedback, you body can start to relearn what straight is supposed to feel like.

@AmeliaNewcombDressage 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you for this comment! And yes, you are right. This horse does have some uneven muscling and he is very round in the back so it is hard to get the saddle to stay straight on him! I have used the right shoulder shim in the past but may have to do that again! Thank you for sharing your knowledge!!

@briarspillane9782 4 жыл бұрын

awesome, can you do one on the seat position in turns etc please?

@tammyandrews596 4 жыл бұрын

Amelia, I love your videos.

@katherineporowski6579 4 жыл бұрын

I have a tendency to twist my upper body and couldn’t figure out why or how I was doing this ... now I’m thinking that’s it’s probably my shoulders which are not aligned which causes me to compensate shifting my weight to the opposite sit bone....maybe this is a breakthrough and if so thank you for this :)

@AmeliaNewcombDressage 4 жыл бұрын

I hope so!! Let me know!!

@markclague3319 3 жыл бұрын

Hey Amelia, Just watched the symmetry video and I noticed all the similarities of my own riding. When you demonstrated what not to do IE: collapsing and shoulders or shoulder creeping forward and counter bending against the horses bend. I have a lot of work to do moving forward, do you think having some lunge lessons whilst riding in the symmetry jacket whilst being videoed would help? Thank you for all the helpful videos you provide x

@hannahkaiser7771 4 жыл бұрын

Great video! I love your explanations. Greetings from Germany :)

@egipatskiguster 4 жыл бұрын

Amelia, can you please tell me which boots are you using. They seem very comfortable and I would like to buy them :)

@jimgreen8475 Жыл бұрын

GOD Very helpful I am always NOT Symetrical but will improve !!!!!

@kadenafrancis1677 4 жыл бұрын

I try to think about sitting the outside half of my body over the outside shoulder of my horse and that helps to keep me "straight "on top of them. When I need to adjust 1 of my shoulders, I elevate the upper part of my ribcage/armpit muscles to do so.

@TheOpus480 4 жыл бұрын

I have a couple questions and I dont know whether you could help me, when I'm trotting and i try to kick the horse into a faster trot or canter I seem to lose my balance, could that be from not keeping my heels down? Also my teacher tells me to use my legs to steer for example if I wanted a wider circle i would use the inside leg and if i wanted the opposite i would use the outside leg but I dont know what she means. Does she mean I squeeze with the leg on that side and if so how? I feel like majority of my problems is because of lack of confidence but I would like to have someone explain these things a bit better or give some advice please as I have looked everywhere and I can't seem to find anything helpful, I am also to shy to ask my instructor as I feel like not being able to kick in trot is stupid but it's something I struggle with. 🙇‍♀️

@anitabrown1603 4 жыл бұрын

you are on to something ;) a quick squeeze with your lower leg is also a kick ;)

@veniceliston1618 Жыл бұрын

love your videos where can we get a jacket like that

@AmeliaNewcombDressage Жыл бұрын

Hi Venice, Here is a link where you can purchase the shirt: www.wbembinc.com/ada

@veniceliston1618 Жыл бұрын

@@AmeliaNewcombDressage thank you

@minderellafox7906 4 жыл бұрын

Loved it 😊

@barbaranicholson9750 4 жыл бұрын

Very helpful to me. I have troubles with uneven seat bones, so this information will be very useful for me. Thank you for the line illustrations.

@AmeliaNewcombDressage 4 жыл бұрын

What is your body's tendency??

@emiliesanders4821 4 жыл бұрын

My left hip has been dislocated after a bad Fall. So im very stiff and has less mobility in that hip. I also have an injury in my left shoulder from the same Fall. Working on it with fysio and chiropracter 🐴

@AmeliaNewcombDressage 4 жыл бұрын

Ouch!!