My latest article from Centered Riding:
Stall Calls with Dr. Bruce Indek
"Having the Long Leg"
In Centered Riding everyone talks about the long legs in the
saddle.Being balanced is the key to having the long legs. This balance
often starts in the pelvis and hip flexor muscles of the rider. If the
sacroiliac joints of the rider are locked and or the Psoas muscle is
tight this series of events will prevent you from gaining the long leg.
One must also remember that if you are not balanced in the pelvis there
will be abnormal weight distribution on the saddle thus giving the horse
incorrect pressure.
What to do you may ask, well first start
by incorporating stretching exercises that target the hip flexors, see
your chiropractor periodically for spinal tune ups so that you benefit
the most out of the stretching program.
A rider can
do quad ( thigh ) stretches as well as hamstring and calf stretches to
improve hip flexability. Yoga and palates has some great stretches that
incorporate this hip and leg area.
You can hand
walk your horse backward up a hill. Lifting the front leg and exerting
enough pressure on the chest to just cause him to shift his weight
backward but not step back ( this will strengthen his abdominals and
allow for better engagement of the hind end ).
Have
your horse evaluated by your Equine Chiropractor to be sure there is
balance in the spine as well. Of course have your saddle fitted two
times per year since your horse changes shape with age and season.
Farrier visits are important too since the foundation of your horse
starts with the feet.
By Dr Bruce
Dr. Bruce Indek has been in Chiropractic Practice since 1983. He
graduated from National College of Chiropractic, and has been treating
riders and other athletes. He is certified by the American Chiropractic
Association Sports Council in Sports Injuries. He is the Director of
Chiropractic for the Boston Marathon. Dr. Bruce is a graduate of
Options for Animals Chiropractic College and Board Certified in Animal
Chiropractic by the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association. He
worked on the New England Dressage Spring and Fall Festival in
Saugerties NY, travels throughout the USA treating horses and riders
from Dressage to Barrel Racing, and is on the Panel for "Ask the Expert"
for Dressage Today, and Chronicle for the Horse online articles. He is a
contributing writer for the Pet Gazette in Eastern Massachusetts.
Like · · Share · about a minute ago near Weymouth, M
My latest article from Centered Riding:
Stall Calls with Dr. Bruce Indek
"Having the Long Leg"
In Centered Riding everyone talks about the long legs in the saddle.Being balanced is the key to having the long legs. This balance often starts in the pelvis and hip flexor muscles of the rider. If the sacroiliac joints of the rider are locked and or the Psoas muscle is tight this series of events will prevent you from gaining the long leg. One must also remember that if you are not balanced in the pelvis there will be abnormal weight distribution on the saddle thus giving the horse incorrect pressure.
What to do you may ask, well first start by incorporating stretching exercises that target the hip flexors, see your chiropractor periodically for spinal tune ups so that you benefit the most out of the stretching program.
A rider can do quad ( thigh ) stretches as well as hamstring and calf stretches to improve hip flexability. Yoga and palates has some great stretches that incorporate this hip and leg area.
You can hand walk your horse backward up a hill. Lifting the front leg and exerting enough pressure on the chest to just cause him to shift his weight backward but not step back ( this will strengthen his abdominals and allow for better engagement of the hind end ).
Have your horse evaluated by your Equine Chiropractor to be sure there is balance in the spine as well. Of course have your saddle fitted two times per year since your horse changes shape with age and season. Farrier visits are important too since the foundation of your horse starts with the feet.
By Dr Bruce
Dr. Bruce Indek has been in Chiropractic Practice since 1983. He graduated from National College of Chiropractic, and has been treating riders and other athletes. He is certified by the American Chiropractic Association Sports Council in Sports Injuries. He is the Director of Chiropractic for the Boston Marathon. Dr. Bruce is a graduate of Options for Animals Chiropractic College and Board Certified in Animal Chiropractic by the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association. He worked on the New England Dressage Spring and Fall Festival in Saugerties NY, travels throughout the USA treating horses and riders from Dressage to Barrel Racing, and is on the Panel for "Ask the Expert" for Dressage Today, and Chronicle for the Horse online articles. He is a contributing writer for the Pet Gazette in Eastern Massachusetts.
Stall Calls with Dr. Bruce Indek
"Having the Long Leg"
In Centered Riding everyone talks about the long legs in the saddle.Being balanced is the key to having the long legs. This balance often starts in the pelvis and hip flexor muscles of the rider. If the sacroiliac joints of the rider are locked and or the Psoas muscle is tight this series of events will prevent you from gaining the long leg. One must also remember that if you are not balanced in the pelvis there will be abnormal weight distribution on the saddle thus giving the horse incorrect pressure.
What to do you may ask, well first start by incorporating stretching exercises that target the hip flexors, see your chiropractor periodically for spinal tune ups so that you benefit the most out of the stretching program.
A rider can do quad ( thigh ) stretches as well as hamstring and calf stretches to improve hip flexability. Yoga and palates has some great stretches that incorporate this hip and leg area.
You can hand walk your horse backward up a hill. Lifting the front leg and exerting enough pressure on the chest to just cause him to shift his weight backward but not step back ( this will strengthen his abdominals and allow for better engagement of the hind end ).
Have your horse evaluated by your Equine Chiropractor to be sure there is balance in the spine as well. Of course have your saddle fitted two times per year since your horse changes shape with age and season. Farrier visits are important too since the foundation of your horse starts with the feet.
By Dr Bruce
Dr. Bruce Indek has been in Chiropractic Practice since 1983. He graduated from National College of Chiropractic, and has been treating riders and other athletes. He is certified by the American Chiropractic Association Sports Council in Sports Injuries. He is the Director of Chiropractic for the Boston Marathon. Dr. Bruce is a graduate of Options for Animals Chiropractic College and Board Certified in Animal Chiropractic by the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association. He worked on the New England Dressage Spring and Fall Festival in Saugerties NY, travels throughout the USA treating horses and riders from Dressage to Barrel Racing, and is on the Panel for "Ask the Expert" for Dressage Today, and Chronicle for the Horse online articles. He is a contributing writer for the Pet Gazette in Eastern Massachusetts.
