Balance while riding
In the Introductions forum, Tim asked about having balance problems in the saddle. Tim is a RAK, and rides western - and while galloping or riding quickly, he has trouble balancing.
What can help with this problem? Perhaps one of our therapeutic riding instructors can recommend something to help with balance?
Ann
RAK amputee, Michigan
Western/Trail riding
Spotted Draft Horses
I have to imagine that this problem can be overcome. A friend of mine is an avid sidesaddle rider (not an amputee). But while riding sidesaddle, there is no weight on the right side of the horse, and these women can perform at high levels, some even jump!
It may take some special riding lessons to re-learn the balance. I will email my sidesaddle friend and see if she has any suggestions.
Hopefully someone else will chime in with tips.
Ann
RAK amputee, Michigan
Western/Trail riding
Spotted Draft Horses
Re: Balance while riding
I have heard that it is very difficult to fall out of a side saddle as you have the rather large horn between your legs (oo errrr) so not sure how relevant that would be to an amputee trying to ride western. Being a BK amputee I can't really imagine what it would be like for an AK rider other than it may be easier to keep you stirrup slightly shorter for a bit more security. Sorry can't be of much help.
I am an AKA and have just started riding last December.
I have experienced the lack of balance in the saddle but hopefully with my new prosthesis it will improve. I wear an old wooden socket right now that is grossly to tight and I can hardly keep on while riding so I find it hard to put much weight into it let alone the stirrup it is fit into.
What I notice is the saddle slipping always over to the side were I put the weight, my real leg side. I am hoping with the new socket which uses the Iceross sleeve that actually locks into the prosthesis I will be able to put more weight into that stirrup. I would think if you get the right angle you could put the right amount of pressure on the prosthetic side and help with this problem. (without the knee buckling)
Any suggestions on stirrup adjustments?
In my short first ride yesterday, I noticed a lot of things that require further investigation.
First off, being balanced on both sides is an obstacle for all riders, even able bodied ones. In my 30 years of riding before my accident, there was always a tendency to be 'sided', I mean, to favor one side over the other, to lean harder to one side. I always tended to lean to the right, to put more weight to that side. So, it is not surprising that this is also a problem with the amputation, and it would be magnified due to the different weight distribution.
When I was able bodied, the best exercise to work on the tendency to lean to one side, was to ride with both feet out of the stirrups, therefore forcing the rider to use the seat and thighs to maintain balance - to stop relying on the stirrups.
Yesterday, when I had both feet in the stirrups, my balance wasn't bad. There was a slight tendency to be heavy to the left (the good leg side), but not too much. At the end, I removed the right (pros) foot from the stirrup, and kept the left foot in. Then I definitely leaned to the left and the saddle did shift some. So, I think that some work with both feet out of the stirrups would be helpful. I thought that the pros stirrup could have been lowered, and that should help to put more 'lean' to that side when riding using the stirrups. Really, there's no universal rule that both stirrups be the same length, so if it improves your riding, why not?
I noticed that when my pros foot was out of the stirrup, there was more pull on the socket (of course), so if you were to ride that way very long, it may be helpful to use a suspension sleeve or belt.
I guess time and experimenting will tell!! I think the amputee trainer I was told about is an AK, and I will certainly be asking him what he does!!
Ann
RAK amputee, Michigan
Western/Trail riding
Spotted Draft Horses
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