Coach Saddle

Coach Saddle

problem with tensing up while rideing! and other questions!?

ok, so i ride western and when i am in my lesson my coach always says that my legs are tense and that my back posture is bee lines straight, when it is supposed to be at a slouch, also i have a problem with sitting forward instead of sitting back. one thing with it is, even though she says my legs need to loosen and that they are tense, they don't feel that way. also with my back posture, part of it is that i am kinda tall, so i have a stright posture and it is hard to "slouch" or as my coach says, "pretend that you got punched in the gutt!" then i think once i get the "slouch", sitting back will come along with it. so my question is, what are ways to work my slouching in saddle? and ways on working on not tensing my legs? also, could this majorly affect my riding in the future? because i have been riding for about a year and can do a walk, trot and canter. and if so how much? could this also affect what i want to do later on? (barrel racing) thanks so much!

It could effect your riding, especially in a Western Pleasure ring. I tend to tense my arms when I do dressage and my instructor is often reminding me not to. This was developed through years of riding half-broke horses...

Anyway, to your problem - you might want to see the video by Richard Shrake on resistance free riding. He has some great tips for learning how to be 'one with your horse'.

Most people who tense their legs are nervous - this may be a subconscious reaction that you may not be aware of or even think you have.

Some tips, are to get on a lunge line and let go of the reins. Distract yourself by touching his pole, his dock, your left foot with your left hand, right foot with right hand, left foot with right hand, right foot with left hand. Stretch out, breathe deep. Close your eyes, feel how the horse moves and work on moving with the horse.

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