Rider Posture

[Ballibebe]

Can we talk about rider posture (from seat bones to nape of neck and not counting arms) in saddle seat equitation compared to western or dressage rider posture? Why is an extreme arched back in saddle seat taught instead of the more ballet like posture in western (equitation) and dressage? Does this effect the way the horse goes or its position? Or could this be something deeper like too big saddles or something?

[Squire]

I'm not an expert in equitation form, but I've never thought that the extreme arch in the back was part of good saddle seat equitation form. I've seen it done and sometimes it seems to win but I don't particularly like it. The instructors I've been exposed to don't teach it, they consider it something to avoid if possible.

[Ballibebe]

I'm looking at pictures of top level riders from top barns and their backs are more arched than any top dressage rider. I also have been told what top instructors teach (hip sockets forward).

[silvia]

I can suggest a theory?

I have a naturally pronounced curve to my lower back and when I am told to sit up straight, the instinct is to lift the ribcage and elongate the upper body.

Unfortunately what that actually causes is an even more pronounced curve and the 'duckbutt' happens.

I am a master of independent seat and hands riding even with the duckbutt. I just find it difficult now to sit trot and canter due to the back already being hollow.

It wasn't until I was told by a body positioning expert I had to actually drop the front of my ribcage down towards my butt and tuck my butt under that I experienced for the first time a correctly neutral back shape, sitting on my seat bones, felt the stomach muscles work and discovered just how contracted the muscling in front of my pelvis was.

So it might just be physical shape + sit up straight causing it.

[Ballibebe]

I personally have lordosis as well and wish someone would of taught me correct posture because now my lower back is paying for all the concussion and misalignment.

So then my question would be if one where to teach a neutral pelvis posture on a saddle seat equitation rider would that be an advantage or disadvantage to the competitiveness of the rider?

[Jrchloe]

Apparently with highly collected horses its easier for the rider to sit with a hollow back. From my experience many instructors are not educated in the ways of scientific biomechanics but experience and time tested knowledge. So if the rider is sitting up and with an open chest then that is perfectly fine.