BODYZONE.
FIRM
foundations A GRAND DESIGN IS ALWAYS BUILT ON FIRM FOUNDATIONS. IT’S A SIMILAR STORY IN THE SADDLE; WHILE A STRONG, INDEPENDENT SEAT IS THE KEY TO A GREAT DRESSAGE POSITION, AN UNSTABLE BASE CAN CAUSE THE UPPER BODY TO TILT, WOBBLE OR SLUMP, SAYS ANDREA OAKES.
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ast issue we saw how a correctly centred pelvis forms the platform. This time we’re stepping up to the trunk, which serves as the second building block and sits neatly on top. According to biomechanics expert Dr Russell MacKechnie-Guire (centaurbiomechanics. co.uk), a level pelvis will allow these structural units to stack comfortably and in alignment. The trunk, or torso, can then sit tall, without effort, throughout all paces. If any area is weak or out of kilter, however, a cascade of asymmetries can occur.
WHAT CAN GO WRONG? “A common upper body problem is the sideways bend, where the rider collapses and shortens the rib cage on one side,” says Russell, who explains that a giveaway ‘C’ shape is often evident from the front or behind. “This could be because the pelvis shifts, but it is possible to have correct pelvic positioning and still collapse.” Unravelling the cause of upper body collapse can be challenging, says Russell, who explains that poor posture and daily habits such as carrying a bag over one shoulder can often be to blame. “It’s not always down to rider asymmetry,” he adds. “Horse movement and saddle slip can also contribute. Whatever the reason, shortening through one side creates increased forces under the saddle: on the same side as the lean if the collapse is solely through the torso, or on the opposite side if the pelvis shifts. 40 // Issue 4 2021 // BRITISH DRESSAGE
“This increase in pressure translates to the horse’s back, not only affecting horse-rider communication and the effectiveness of the aids, but also performance and e uine health,” says Russell. “These forces will occur every stride; consider how many strides a horse takes in a 45minute training session.” To straighten the torso, Russell suggests visualising two balloons that sit between your rib cage and the top of your pelvis, one on each side. The pressure in each balloon should be e ual. r imagine your rib cage as two springs, with the same distance between each part of the springs. As well as maintaining left-right upper body symmetry, it’s important to consider forward-back positioning. “Novice riders, in particular, tend to take the centre of mass forwards,” says Russell, who explains that causes can range from lack of confidence to the laptop lifestyle’ that promotes a forwards curve. “The horse carries 58% of his weight on his fore limbs and 42% on his hind, so increasing weight on the front end is not helpful in achieving a dressage frame. It will also restrict his forelimb movement and increase loading, contributing to wear and tear. “A rider may lean back due to core or trunk stability problems, in an attempt to anchor themselves to the saddle to absorb movement,” adds Russell. “There’s sometimes a mistaken belief that driving the horse forwards with pressure at the back of the saddle will help him to transfer weight onto his uarters. In reality, bringing your spine behind the vertical will result in over-arching, or ‘lordosis’, and could potentially give you lower back issues.”
RIDER ASYMMETRY WILL NOT GO UNNOTICED. IF A HORSE CAN FEEL A FLY ON HIS BACK, HE WILL CERTAINLY BE AWARE WHEN YOUR POSITION IS OFF CENTRE
