10 Best Tips to Improve the
Rider's Shoulders

The rider's shoulders tipping forward might be due to a few things:

1. It may be an advanced rider training a young horse in which case a more forward position is lighter and more balanced for a horse that is struggling to balance.

2. It might be Jumping Position with the rider's shoulders in front of their hips to help stay balanced & stay off the horse's back and mouth, and stay light, still & quiet.

3. It might be a nervous, or young rider, not balanced & confident to sit correctly.  And, if they sit fully upright....they get "left behind".  It's this group we can help the most!

It's OK if you're No. 1 & 2 above and you WANT your shoulders forward.  

But what if you want a fully erect position, with the shoulders on top of  the hips - NOT tipping forward.  But, try as you might your photos still show you leaning forward.

 What DID NOT work....      

 How can it be this simple?  

For years, as I said I tried everything to get riders to be upright.   And STILL they leant forward.

Then, one day I said "STICK YOUR BELLY BUTTON OUT".

And, instead of the shoulders going back...the "middle bit" comes forward, and the rider is INSTANTLY upright.

Even as I'm typing this after a couple of years of teaching this at clinics around the world I am still astounded at how SIMPLE this is.

 It worked didn't it?   

I bet that if you are a long-sufferer of the "tipping forward" complaint, that if you simply went and stuck your stomach out (almost pretend your'e pregnant) that the photos were instantly better!

Please EMAIL ME and tell me if it worked for you.   As I said I'm shaking my head at how SIMPLE this one is!

I hope you enjoy one of my favourite tips!

Copyright © 2005
[Colleen Kelly. Improve Your Riding ABN 76799531257].

Related topics:

Jumping Position

Stirrup Length