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I'm honestly surprised that a chiropractor and physical therapist couldn't find anything. Especially with how much of a difference there is between the two legs. Perhaps it would be good to seek a second opinion, especially from a good chiropractor. I have several family member who have had significant improvement from old injuries that limited their movement after working with a chiropractor. Their chiropractor specializes in sports medicine so he is really able to pinpoint the problem areas down and help them build up their weak areas to prevent problem from recurring.
I would see if you couldn't find one who specializes in sports medicine.
Also have you looked into the large medicine balls? I have one as an alternative office chair, but I know there are a ton of exercises for them. Perhaps they could help you? |
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.Nvaynne.: I'm really surprised thy couldn't find anything either! I'll see if I can find someone who specialises in sport, that sounds like a good idea :) I'll also see if I can find a medicine ball, I've thought about it earlier, but I forgot that it can help a lot with this :D
My chiropractor helped a lot with my stiff back and hip, but because of personal problems I had to quit :/ Will be seeing her again this fall :)
Once again, thank you for your help and suggestions! :D
And I will be looking into exercises to help build up strength Cadence Farms :) Thanks for your suggestions :) |
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This might sound silly but you should try dancing. I saw it in a horse magazine and I said that dancing improves riding. And it's good exercise too. Yoga will help too. |
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I'm not sure if this will help at all, but it may be something to try.
I had issues years ago holding a counter-canter (but I'm sure it will work the same on a regular lead) with a mare who was fully capable of it. A friend pointed out how my hip angle was wrong, so I tried doing this. Keep in mind that this is a drastic way to fix this, and is not how you should technically ride, but is simply to "train" your body.
First you are going to go in a halt, and adjust your body so that it feels like your belt buckle is facing the inside of your ring (it won't actually face it, but you need to open the hip angle significantly), and so that your shoulders are parallel to your horse as opposed to perpendicular. It is key here to still maintain your position in the center of the saddle even though your body is turned. Once you have established this, walk around, trot ( I've never trotted in this position but I imagine you can, it will just be very difficult) and then canter.
Since your body has shifted so drastically, your balance should feel different to your mare, and it should be easy for her to pick up the left lead. Ride this way for a few weeks, but don't do it for your entire ride, you may only want to do it at the canter. After a while, your body should build muscles so that when you return to regular riding, your balance will have changed.
If you are having chiropractic issues, make sure this doesn't hurt, or ask them if this is okay to do for you. Hope this helps! |
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I would get a personal gym trainer, then a personal trainer with the horses to help if I were you |
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Thanks for all the great tips :) I've been called in for an appointment this February, and I'll hopefully know a bit more then :) Your tip, Sagamore, was great, and I'll try to do it next time I ride dressage with her :)
I guess I can also add that when we were cantering along a road a few weeks ago, she suddenly changed leads and took a few strides in left lead, so she( and I) have gotten better :) She's also offered left lead canter during our trainings, but only when doing a flying change from one circle to another :) She knows the cue, and she tries her best :) We held it for more than two laps too.
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I used to have problems with me leaning which would cause my mare to dump onto the forehand. If we were circling right I would drop my right shoulder (which would cause enough of a shift in balance for her to go on her forehand) instead of turning my shoulders towards the center of my circle.
The way I fixed this was "over fixing" the issue. Instead of just leveling out my shoulders and slightly turning my shoulders to the inside, I would drastically swivel my entire torse towards the inside.
If you have problems with looking to the inside, just drastically fix it by moving your whole torso. It'll help strengthen the muscles.
I also have a problem with my legs. My right leg is just a bit longer than my left, so I rode with a longer right stirrup for a while, but not much longer. If it's too long then it'll affect how you sit and use your legs, but if it's too short then you'll get tight and pinch in with your knees on that side. Me riding in stirrups that were too short has caused me to put all my weight on the outside of my leg - causing more muscular issues.
I've been riding hunters which has been murder for my right leg! A trainer back home told me it's better to ride correctly for a little bit than to ride incorrectly for a while.
Once you feel yourself get fatigued and stiff I recommend taking a break so you can "reset". Over time you'll get stronger and you wont need as many breaks.
Good luck! |
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Just to add on I would really try to find someone skilled in myofascial release. It sorta similar to a massage. I got bucked off over a year ago (got a concussion and hurt my neck) and my neck has never been the same since and its one of the only things I have found that provides some sort of relief when it starts to hurt again. My chiropractor helps some too but its mainly soft tissue/ligament stuff not a problem with the bone structure.
It sounds a little weird when you read/hear about it but I swear it helps! and my horse loves being worked on as well! lol |
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I guess I should come with an update for you gaus :) My mare is unfortunately not rideable at the moment, and will not be until early summer. I've had trouble with her loosing shoes all winter and last summer, and there simply isn't anything for the shoe and nails to hang on to. I have pulled her shoes, and because she has lost so much wall, there is simply no way boots are going to stick on during riding. She becomes sore easily, so she will be given time off. I'm starting her on biotin, and hopefully we will be able to fix our problems when her hooves is starting to look better, and I have gone through physical therapy :) But once again, thank you everyone for great tips :) |
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