has anyone had a lesson rider...

[nightsong]

I think the western saddle may be causing/contributing to the problem, as it's very hard to FEEL the horse. More like sitting on a chair. Centered Riding has some wonderful exercises for a) loosening up the entire body before you even get on, and b) feeling the horse move and letting it push your body around (don't know whether this will WORK in a western saddle, as it's thick and stiff enough that i don't think you can feel the back legs move at a walk, for example). Synthetic is nicely flexible for this sort of thing.

[Hunter Mom]

Originally Posted by Come Shine

Lots of great suggestions. If it is some back stiffness, do you think something like a Thinline pad would be helpful?

My girl started getting back sore last fall, and we started usign a ThinLine pad. Back soreness gone immediately. I am not the most balanced rider, nor am I the smallest, so I figured it was the least I coudl do for her back. I am a HUGE ThinLine fan. In fact, DD rides with one at all times, too.

[BuddyRoo]

Even if the chiro is good....if she really suspects that it's her back/pelvis, I'd strongly suggest seeing a sports PT...I was in PT for an unrelated issue, but they noticed that my pelvis was kind of rotated. My back had ALWAYS ached. They gave me some great simple exercises and stretches to do and it really improved.

Very kind of you to try to help her get some ideas. I can imagine that it's pretty distressing for her! Good luck!

[baysngreys]

"Looks" can be deceiving. I had a friend hop on my horse one day so I could watch him go around.
She was someone who you'd watch and think she rides lovely, her horse always looks round and soft and she does well competitively.
She was on all of 15-20 minutes. I got back on and my horse sucked up against my leg, hung in my hand and literally seemed as if he was bracing his sides against my leg.

I realised, as pretty as she looked sitting on top of the horse, she had an iron leg and a death grip on the rein - not pulling tight against their mouth, but a locked, unforgiving arm.

Wow, that was a real eye opener.

There's nothing better than lunge work with no reins or stirrups to help with seat and position.
I rode with a trainer years (and years and years!) ago, who put me on the lunge, had me close my eyes and I had to call out when the horse moved a specific leg forward, example: left hind stepped forward, I'd say, now... now... now.
He let me lean back, and put one hand on the horses hindquarters to feel the muscles move until I could feel it thru my seat.
I learned more about "feel" in that one lesson... I've tried to pass that on to students over the years, but you can't always teach "feel".

[CosMonster]

I agree with everyone else that longe lessons are probably in order, preferably in an english saddle or bareback where she won't have quite as much to brace on. I had a student who had a similar effect on horses, also a beginner who had always ridden western, and putting her in an english saddle for a couple of weeks and working on getting her to actually balance and move with her horse made a huge difference. In her case, even with longe lessons in a western saddle she was not getting better, I think because she had unconsciously learned to brace and also couldn't feel as well. I don't know for sure that they have the same issues of course, having not seen your rider, but it sounds nearly identical to my student's situation.

If she doesn't improve or feels pain when she starts to (more than just normal muscle soreness) definitely have her consult with a doctor. I have seen riders with various physical issues that made riding correctly very difficult, at least without the sort of PT that is beyond your typical riding instructor's field of expertise.

[oharabear]

Originally Posted by BuddyRoo

Even if the chiro is good....if she really suspects that it's her back/pelvis, I'd strongly suggest seeing a sports PT...I was in PT for an unrelated issue, but they noticed that my pelvis was kind of rotated. My back had ALWAYS ached. They gave me some great simple exercises and stretches to do and it really improved.

Very kind of you to try to help her get some ideas. I can imagine that it's pretty distressing for her! Good luck!

Agreed!

[ReSomething]

I'd say I am this person. Yoga, lots of stretching and general aerobic workouts help a lot. Carrying less weight and joint supplements too. I'm worst in two point, sitting down lets me relax my legs more. And yes it is a HUGE mental issue - nobody wants to ride like that.

[sdlbredfan]

In addition to all the good things suggested, I wonder if saddle fit, or rather poor fit, could be magnifying the ill effects of whatever she is doing?

[propspony]

First off... thank you all SO MUCH. I love the suggestions and we're going to start with some longe line action at her next lesson!

saddle fit is definitely NOT the issue. It's been multiple saddles, multiple pads, and we've had both the chiro and vet check saddle fit.

THANKS!!! :-)))

[theblondejumper]

Originally Posted by Arcadien

I'd recommend Yoga, Tai Chi, or any kind of martial arts classes to support her riding efforts. All will help her become aware of locked places, uneveness, etc, and make her more aware of and in control of her body movements.

Good luck, that sure is a heart breaking problem on all fronts!

Pretty much why I have found yoga to be one of the best exercises for riders. The awareness I have when I do yoga consistently (which can be hard) in my riding is invaluable. Also stronger core=less back pain.