Your Balance Point
You and your horse need to be in balance to prevent injury and improve your riding. Well we all know this but does this really occur and how often?
The center of balance for your horse is just behind his elbow in the chest area and your center is at the naval. When your posture and core are strong you will usually sit straight up. In these days of computers the typical posture is hunched forward with head jutting forward. Your upper back and neck will often strain and subluxate the vertebrae causing muscle imbalance. The forward posture can be improved by sitting on a ball at the desk while you work or even using a posture specific chair. Exercises using a balance ball between your back and the wall while doing wall sitting will improve your core as well. It is important to have your chiropractor check you periodically to be sure your spine is functioning well, long before there is pain.
Your horse likewise should have regular chiropractic checkups to ensure good spinal movement. Remember it is very common for a rider to cause equine imbalance that becomes a separate issue for the horse as well. Core and proprioception exercises such as the ones featured in the book “Activate your Horses Core” are great to incorporate.
Recently I had a rider who consistently did not turn her shoulder correctly while riding and this in turn caused stiffness in her horse. I corrected her spine and gave her exercises to do which greatly enhanced her horses movement.
Sometimes it is the simple things that matter.
