6 Hacks to Fix Your Dressage Riding Position

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Have you used any rider position hacks? Let me know if you're going to try one of these!! Happy riding!!

[@lorijamison7297]

Help me sign up so I can get your tips!

[@vanjiclaesson4695]

YESS!🌹👏🏻💫

[@vickyelmes3558]

I'm going to try the thera band for my elbows. Thanks!

[@frame7629]

My rider flaw is looking down and leaning forward. I've been riding 34 years, am showing second level currently, and could use some tips to open up my frame and relax in the show arena. Thanks

[@shirleybroady]

I looked down for years too, and it's still in there, hiding, waiting to come out when I'm distracted. LOL What I did was dedicate every ride to looking up for as long as it took. I decided that looking up wasn't so hard, just remembering to do it. What I learned was that looking up gave me better feel and timing, helped my horse follow a line, and it was liberating. I could breath and relax and I felt like a dressage rider with a mental image of great riders in my head. So looking up, sitting up, was it's own reward. Try it. You'll correct yourself dozens of times. Just laugh and look up again. Looking up will help to correct leaning forward too. Keep riding, the best you can while you look up, sit up, but don't let anything interfere with looking up and looking where you want to go.

[@cynthiabrown2806]

This probably isn't a "hack" per se but it drastically improved my balance. I took my saddle off at the beginning of January and rode bareback till April. I learned to relax more while trying to maintain proper position. I am Canadian so ride indoors in winter unless out hacking so that helped having a controlled environment for greater safety. Also I would recommend you pick a steady old schoolmaster if possible. I just started riding again about 2 years ago at 53 after a 15 year break and found this experience also built my confidence up! Just thought I would pass this along as it really helped me. I am even popping little fences bareback now...just for fun. ☺

[@catcozzi4537]

I’ve been having trouble with sitting up straight, I tend to collapse focusing so much on my horse and forget about my upper body. It is a very bad habit because it collapsed me and therefore pushes my horses down instead of lifting up! I love your videos and your throughokuness of explaining :)

[@frame7629]

Me too

[@bonniebinger7380]

Me Too!!!

[@cynthiabrown2806]

Having just now watched this video, I am definitely trying the "cell phone" hack! It reminds me of learning to ride in the 1970's...long before cell phones. My coach put tea towels between my elbows and body. Everytime one dropped I had to get off and get it. The horse was about 17hh. After a few mistakes I really got it. Lol!!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

That is funny!!

[@Cynthia-ki2wk]

I really like the tea towel idea! Could also use a couple old socks!

[@JustAgirly0]

id love to hear advice for riders who tend to bounce in a fast canter

[@JenichM]

I've tried Fischer balls and a rubber line. I can’t say that it helped a lot, but when you remove all this, you feel happy)))

[@MelissaMatiko]

Thank you so much for such wonderful tips, Amelia!! I've been working on more consistent connection through my hands and will be adding the rope around the horses neck and the band around the wrists to my riding routine! Super excited to give them a try in my ride later today. :)

[@afnaar7386]

For building the my core, I use a 75 cm Pilates Ball to sit on at my desk doing computer work. I am 5’2 and my feet barely touch the floor, but I am always making adjustments with my core muscles. It also helps strengthen my back muscles. You would have to see what size would be best, because I see there is an 85 cm size, so if someone is taller, that might be better. I also practice keeping my elbows in and my hands still by looping a theraband through an anchor in the wall, and sit on my Pilates ball, and practice holding the reins that way. I try to think in terms of if I lose my balance and pull on the reins, how that is going to feel on my horses mouth.

[@kelleynathan2734]

Thank you so much. You explain concepts that are hard for me to grasp with a visual.aid. Appreciate so much explaining that you, as an accomplished rider, still struggle with some things.

[@joelynnewcomb7390]

Great ideas! I’m going to try all of them!

[@danielepayen-jaekel8104]

Thank you for this video Amelia, very useful. It made me realize that I ride with my knees very opened, and trying with them closed on the saddle (without squeezing with them), my canter was much better. Thanks!

[@makendrasilverman211]

Very helpful! Off to try some of these things. Especially excited about trying to fix my chicken-arm and leg swinging too far back tendencies that I have been working on fixing for far too many years. Thanks!

[@marianwalhout5901]

This is my favorite video so far and I love them all, thank you!

[@annabauer5601]

I love the elbow hack! I am definitely going to try that!

[@jillycannan6243]

All fabulous tip I myself have used over the years. Instead of a cup I used a short riding crop under my thumbs. Well presented 😊

[@leannebourgeois1098]

Me too.

[@just_joc]

I love all your videos but this is my favorite one so far! I need to try all your hacks. Thank you!❤️

[@susanmayo3340]

This was so helpful!! I'm going to try the wrist bands as I am constantly leaning too far forward! You are my favorite on line Dressage instructor! Thanks so much!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

You're so welcome!

[@spaziocasainterioare1656]

Thank you for those useful tips!! I tried the one with the rope around the neck, as I am pulling often, unfortunately, and it is just amazing!!! A HUGE THANK YOU!!!!! I like very much your videos and mostly the precious care you have always about the horse while training him correctly!! Thank you!!!

[@elizabethinnes9404]

For steadying your hands I find it helpful to hold a crop across both hands, so your thumb goes over the crop. Keeps your hands in alignment. Also for people like me who tend to use their hands way too much, it is helpful to hold your reins as if you were driving and not riding; it forces you to use your body correctly. I tend to pinch with my knee which impedes letting my leg relax and wrap around the horse - how do you find the right 'setting'? Thanks!

[@SarahWRah]

I don't know how much pressure you recommend on the reins. I was taught to imagine keeping contact with a butterfly on the end of a string -- always in contact and communicating but never applying unnecessary pressure.

[@susangillham8771]

This was very helpful. The asking for the turning aid then going straight as a reward. I will try this tomorrow!

[@elizabethal7399]

Fun video!! Great ideas for self improvement and for my students.

[@christophersantana5895]

Keep up the great work, Amelia.

[@JulieMarilyn]

Great tips as always!! My biggest problem with riding is my right leg. I bruised it in a fall last year and it’s just not getting strong and supple again.I can’t get my aids through on the right side so we have issues with yielding, getting through corners and keeping him off my inside leg..wich then causes me to automatically get strong with my inside hand and put both hands to the outside. Especially in canter, it feels so bad and crooked. It’s getting slightly better when I really focus shifting my weight but I’m so sick of it and it’s really discouraging not being able to canter calmly, I even prefer counter canter now because then at least he’s straight. Sorry for this long text, any tips from anyone are VERY welcome haha

[@Lynne2106]

Thank you for the great suggestions! My horse may spook when he feels water splashing onto his neck. Just holding the empty cup will be helpful.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Yes, safety first!!

[@Lietjesmarket]

I am going to try the band to keep the hands still. Love these tricks. I sometimes do driving reins and take the whip in both hands to keep my hands in postion and still but the problem then is that my hands are in a piano postion. But it works to get my self aware. I also ride bitless sometimes. Work very wel to be aware of your self.

[@ariellapansinoneelefkovits2701]

I love your teaching methods and videos! I have developed the very undesirable habit of looking down when I ride and it totally ruins my position and my horses balance. It is a surprisingly difficult to break habit! Any tips or suggestions?

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Ugh!! I do this too! Try looking at the clouds and tress while you ride! Enjoy the view!!

[@lizphelan4883]

Awesome! I have used an oversized horseshoe, but I love the rubber band! Also had hair in my hands.....that was rough! LOL!

[@nancydill5286]

Thank you so much. I don't ride Dressage, but these are GREAT tips!!

[@helenmcinerney1]

I really struggle to keep my hands still and then I lose connection, I must try these tips, thank you

[@imzadi83fanvids7]

Haven't tried any of these hack, but will keep them in mind. Don't know what my problems are with my position, lol, never thought to ask. Will do so though.

[@christophersantana5895]

I really appreciate your positive training techniques and love your videos.

[@suederenski1520]

This was a really useful and practical video! Thank you.

[@sannifoster]

I love this video! Great advice!

[@lindacox119]

Love these tricks! Will definitely try the bungee straps for my wandering right leg. THANK YOU for the wrist band tip 🤗 my left elbow has a mind of its own.

[@wendylow5748]

These are great ideas! Going to work on a couple today!

[@moniquesmith5501]

These are great tips thanks . yes I read Sally's book still have it! I recently tried a long web belt behind my hips to the reins to keep pelvis neutral and connected to elbow makes rider aware of hip elbow connection. Love the gray horse is he a lusitanio? I just spend a week riding in Portugal.

[@honorajacob7003]

You mention Sally Swift's book "Centered Riding" in this video. (which I have read) . Could you post the title of a couple of other good books on dressage for Training Level on to First Level ? Love your videos. Thank you so much for creating them.

[@clairehallmark4971]

my biggest flaw is that my feet always get under me and always end up to far forward when cantering. My feet position is good at the trot and walk just the canter is when my feet mess up.

[@lisahenry20]

My problem is tipping forward and swinging my legs too far back, especially in canter. I also struggle with my balance when riding without stirrups, mostly because I tend to tense my legs.

[@waqasrafiq6044]

Thank you Amelia. You're a gem!

[@annabauer5601]

I have a tendency to lean forward, especially when trotting. Any ideas how to fix this?

[@klindz901]

Me too Anna. Can't offer much in the way of help, but I'm planning to start adding some core stability exercises into my day and see if improving it helps my riding position. I'd love if someone would chime in with some exercises I can do while riding.

[@dpaudj]

tru to do some stretches and turns in the saddle prior to riding, a strong core will help. in trot try to lift through your core rather than bounce with the horse. engage your stomach and lift into your solar plexus. a deep breath push up through the plexus in trot and keep elbows in. should help to keep you more upright and less forward. hope that helps. rise through the knee can create the will to lean forward to get the balance, instead of rising through the rythm

[@leaningpine56]

I can't wait to try the band for my hands tomorrow! My left hand has a mind of its own lol 😁

[@danw6014]

Here's a thought. Instead of tieing the rider's leg to the cinch, how about tieing the stirrup to the cinch. That way if things go south the rider can get their legs out and abandon ship if necessary. The rider can feel the their foot coming out of stirrups and can put them back.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Good idea!!

[@danielleweber8914]

I sometimes go to the playground and swing on the swings if I can find one high enough for an adult. It really helps me find the rhythm of the canter and also if i am pushing more on one side the swing will go crooked.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Love this!

[@libbylynett1923]

I’m ordering those bands as we speak! Thank you

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

😁😁

[@lifelover558]

very useful video thanks alot..💖🌹

[@chanteldrago1769]

Love your videos! When you're showing details, i.e. the cup in your hands, please show a close-up. ♥️♥️♥️

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Thanks for the suggestion! Next time I will!!

[@manongreer2750]

I am challenged keeping a good position when getting my horse in to the canter. He is quite green. He gets amped up and he does a lot of head shaking. So I haven’t got a lot of time to get positioned correctly

[@falizianme5846]

Awesome video! Made me laugh out loud about the tempis! 😂😂. I e dine the stirrup trick... i have a right leg that likes to float all over! Another hack i had someone hive me was to put my whip thru my elbows behind my back to help kep my elbows in and hand mors steady! im definitely going to try the one for my knee! I can get a bit floopy sometimes in the canter especially! Thanks for the fun video! 🐴👏👏

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Ah yes! I forgot about the whip behind the elbows!

[@bonniebinger7380]

They were all very good tips, but myself and several others I know have the biggest issue with sitting and staying up straight!!! What can we do to fix that??! Is it just concentration/practice?!Thanks in advance

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

HI Bonnie! if you’re free today and want help getting your position in the strongest shape to execute your dressage aids, come to my FREE webinar on Rider Position and Biomechanics at 12pm PST Today! Even if you can't make it, click the link and we'll send you the recording after. bit.ly/3sJTa5R

[@louh5509]

My biggest issue is flappy lower leg when doing rising trot, it looks as if I am kicking the horse the entire time even though I'm not. My trainer tried tying my stirrups to each other going underneath the horse.. that helped a little but I ended up with awful ankle pain after. Do you have any other tips to help solve that?

[@jennibowring7348]

I also struggle with it looking as if I'm kicking with my foot while in rising trot. A judge even called me out for it. I'm trying to keep my legs quieter but boy is it a struggle! Trying also to not grip with my knee... so much going on, I feel like I'm regressing!

[@kiwi_cornish_dream1421]

You can try to concentrate on "stomping" your heel down on the down motion. Helps you concentrate on the strength through to the bottom of the leg but dont let your toes turn out xx

[@cindynoble2037]

Great hacks Amelia 🐴 Thank you so much ❤️💕

[@mickyms3999]

I have trouble sitting up straight. Especially in the rising trot, i tend to lean forward instead of going straight up. If i try to go ip straight i tend to loose my balance and my legs go all over the place

[@dpaudj]

rising from the knee does that x try lifting through the core i imagine a spring in my stomach i pull on and use the rythm of the pace to rise , try rising without a saddle... this helps i think. good luck

[@constancephillips6627]

Do you have any tricks for locking elbows?

[@bethstaiano387]

Hi Amelia. Yes, I read Sally Swift's book. She was an amazing person. My riding coach, Jami, teaches centered riding. I have a difficult time keeping my left leg back. It keeps sneaking forward. It tends to be very stiff, especially at the beginning of my lesson. I shattered it over six years ago (not horses related.) Any advice?

[@danihworld]

I always get called out to pull my shoulders back. I intentionally start with them back but once in the moment of working with the horse I suddenly then slouch:/

[@julieheyrman]

Danielle Holder try kinesio tape or rock tape across the shoulder blades horizontally and if slouching down center.this will tell the brain when you start to round or slouch. Kinesio or rock tape are a type of sports tape.

[@charlottewhatserface7608]

@@julieheyrman ok this sounds like something I could indeed use, thanks for the tip!!

[@elizabethcallaghan4616]

I have bad leg on left due to accident doing the tie leathers also rubber band to build chest and seat

[@worththewait8349]

Amelia I love hack #5 the band. I had a new coach tell me a few years ago my arms should be out straighter in front of the pommel (elbows extended). I I find that makes me collapse forward more and round my shoulders??

[@truesoulbekind1994]

Many experience riders telling they also had fell down...why is it posible..?

[@marant9219]

very useful tricks

[@janetduffie563]

Thanks for these tips

[@allisonsheka366]

Toes pointing out is one of my many issues.

[@klindz901]

I'm no professional of course, but I find when I'm having trouble with one part of my body while riding, it helps to think about how it affects another, and fix the other part instead. i.e. if your toes out causes you to have less contact through your thigh and knee, just focus on the thigh and knee and not the toes. If you're like me and have weak ankles, toes out may be your body's way of keeping the ankle stable. In that case, try some resistance band exercises for ankle stability.

[@danielabackstrom]

I found that when my toes were pointing outward I needed to open up my hips go get down more in the saddle. If someone can help you it's great, let go of the stirrup, sit normally on your seat bones, move your leg straight out to the side (or have someone drag it out for you) and put your leg to the side of the horse. This will put you more in the saddle and I feel like it's much easier to point your toes forward. Also think when your riding that you want to touch your toes under the horse's belly. You can never do it, but thinking "touch your toes" while you ride will stretch you to the right position. You can even try to walk with your toes pointing in for a week, this will stretch them too :)

[@yvetterose6314]

Hi Amelia! Love your videos! I tend to round my back, ride with Arms like a gorilla and have too much tightness in my hips. What do you suggest????

[@constancephillips6627]

One more for trick needed for how not to let rein slip through fingers. I want to keep fingers soft, but not soft enough to lose the necessary connection between me and my horse. Your videos are fun and very educational. Thanks for taking the time to post these.

[@caoimhecollery2199]

I always think of keeping my thumb pressing down on the rein to stop it from moving and then you’re able to keep your fingers soft

[@phburdett]

I tend to collapse in the left waist so that the left shoulder is slightly lower, but it originates in the waist. How to keep from collapsing on one side of your middle?

[@secretgardenfarmct614]

I have a nagging right seat bone, and need to always focus on keeping my weight left. I ride with an egg in my hands to keep them quiet!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Really? An egg?

[@tiffanytate9079]

Cool thanks!

[@susanbaker7550]

Hi Amelia. I have trouble with keeping my heels down. I am not aware when they aren't down unless my instructor tells me or I see a video of my ride? Any suggestions would be much appreciated. Thank you

[@minderellafox7906]

How about if you have a leg that shoots forward in the canter...and wobbly legs when you rise trot?

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Hmm, I will have to think of something for that!!

[@michaelhoffmann2891]

My greatest seat flaw is called "being a 50+ aged rider who had a hip fracture from a riding accident" :'( Sadly, nothing from the bag of tricks can fix that. I've developed a fair bit of chair seat, hate it, but really getting my legs down is agony. :(

[@audramorin576]

The arm band trick sounds really great... and very tiring lol

[@nootsilver1991]

Personally. I tilt my hands a lot. But I also have some pretty bad back problems. So my back is broken whenever I unmount

[@jeniferrinehart1107]

My British trainer used to say “you have a carton of eggs under your bum - don’t make scrambled eggs!” 🤣. This is helpful. I have an issue with keeping my back too stiff in the sitting trot. Any ideas?

[@dpaudj]

sing jelly on a plate and breath out with the movement lean back a little more too

[@lorijamison7297]

I have read Sally Swift's book!

[@joan9569]

My breeches are so slippery that I can't grip with my knees. What to do? Thanks.🤔

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Full seat breeches with leather

[@newlifesong1]

I have been using a glycerin soap bar on my dressage saddle every ride for years to give me a little extra grip. It not only works well but won't hurt your breeches or your saddle!

[@shirleybroady]

I sit to the right, at times so much that it effects my horse's balance. To correct this, I put the right side of my butt in the middle of the saddle. In this position, I am sitting straight but the feeling never feels straight. It feels awkward and I struggle to keep this position. If I could spend 100% of my time dedicated to this correction, maybe it would start to feel normal but I lose it when I attend to other issues. Any suggestions?

[@CDN_Bookmouse]

Have you tried moving your right shoulder back? The crookedness might be starting with your shoulder and ending up in your seat. If you shoulder is more back it's harder for the right side of your body to drift that way because your ribs are more in the way. If it tends to drift forward a little, it will probably eventually pull your butt forward on that side. If you can, try having someone watch your shoulders to see if you tend to let the right shoulder come forward.

[@shirleybroady]

@@CDN_Bookmouse Thank you.

[@luka4568844]

Dropping a shoulder. Upper body crooked.

[@CDN_Bookmouse]

Definitely affected the quality of the advice. I thought some of these tricks would be helpful, but if she's dropping a shoulder a bit then obviously they're useless. I only accept tips from perfect riders. Thankfully, you were here to remind me!

[@suetye9850]

I seem to look down and also collapse at the torso please help

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Hi Sue, Take a look at this video, kzbin.info/www/bejne/qqvSp6emea-Jp6c and my other ones on Rider Biomechanics!. Also take my free Rider assessment quiz: www.ameliasdressageacademy.com/dressage-rider-quiz/ And my free rider position Mini Course www.ameliasdressageacademy.com/riderpositionminicourse/? I hope all these help! Let me know and thanks for watching!

[@ells175]

I used eggs to keep my hands soft... Well i broke both and had to clean myself, horse and saddle, and my riding pants.. Big problem is leaning too much forward. My legs are in right place but upperbody is in front. Tried tieing whip and a stick behind my back to keep me straight, tried some back straightening aids but nothing works.. any tips ? :p

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

😂😂😂 eggs?!

[@ells175]

@@AmeliaNewcombDressage Yeeees, raw chicken eggs :D try it, its very fun :)

[@ronjaholmstrom2407]

Where is youre shirt from?

[@aguirregerardo]

Espectacular!!!

[@lorijamison7297]

Amelia I have tried to sign up for you tips but the program will not accept my email address😭

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

E mail me at [e-mail]. I will try to add you manually!

[@lorijamison7297]

@@AmeliaNewcombDressage awesome Thank you!!!

[@chqammarabbaschakwal1827]

Very nice learing from your videos

[@cordarcy6452]

#5 Elbows by your side!

[@pilargreto1426]

How to keep heels down at cantering?

[@KKKK-jc5tw]

I have the same problem

[@joycepurslow3521]

Sorry pressed dislike by mistake! Brilliant tips!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

thanks for the clarification Joyce!

[@julierichardsoncastro838]

Slouching