Bobbing your head when you sit trot

Barbara F · Grand Prix

Bobbing your head when you sit trot

Kairen Jamieson · Yearling

IMO....sometimes there is a thing as too much suppleness without control of body parts and that is what we see....that said...a loosey-goosey neck is better than a stiff on that rounds the shoulder blades and kinks the neck muscles..lol.

There may also be other factors...I do not really suffer from this either...so it is not from experience and could be off the mark too.

dbliron · Advanced

I think you're on the right track, Kairen.

I have some experience with the problem, having had to deal with it in some clients. I've seen quite a lot of it as a judge as well!

I think it usually stems from locked hips and pelvises, along with a lack of strength in abdominal and back muscles. Riders who struggle with this issue are usually attempting to absorb the bounce of the trot in their shoulders and necks, instead of through their hips and core.

I have had a lot of success sending riders with this problem to Pilates classes, and sometimes adding in yoga classes. Work on the longe can also be of great assistance in teaching riders to isolate and learn to control body parts. Longe work removes the issues involved with organizing and controlling the horse, and most of us could use a lot more of it!

justice · Grand Prix

I agree with Kairen, too : )

Rider's range of motion vs horse's rom is also a factour. When we run out of range in one area, frequently and naturally the ecxess is absorbed thru the nearest free end joint. I have seen often lately the rider bobbing their head at trot and collapsing the chest at canter and it is commonly tho not exclusively due to being very tight thru the the hip and lower back.

With the bigger, longer, more amplituded gaits of the larger horses, range of motion IS an issue. Too supple, not enough mechanical discipline (fitness>control) and the occasional lack of self-awareness in the moment all contribute to flopping heads.

KatyM · Well Schooled

Riders who struggle with this issue are usually attempting to absorb the bounce of the trot in their shoulders and necks, instead of through their hips and core

I wonder if this also has something to do with those riders whose lower legs are kind of "flapping" against the horses' sides?

Jackie Cochran · Advanced

Concentrate on keeping your face vertical. Your head will still have to move some to absorb the motion of the trot but if you keep your face vertical your head won't be bobbing up and down. Your head will be properly balanced on your spine then.

You cannot keep your face vertical AND look between the horse's ears. Look above the horse's ears.

This will really help your general posture and position. My teacher is commenting on how keeping my face vertical is helping with my chest and my back.

spirithorse · Advanced

KatyM wrote:

Riders who struggle with this issue are usually attempting to absorb the bounce of the trot in their shoulders and necks, instead of through their hips and core

I wonder if this also has something to do with those riders whose lower legs are kind of "flapping" against the horses' sides?

Excellent observation. Watch WEG videos or other GP events and you will see a correlation between the flapping legs, and the strength used by the rider in applying the rein aids. These factors inconjunction with the pelvis being rigid, create the head bounce.

-- Edited by spirithorse on Thursday 3rd of February 2011 08:43:16 PM

barnfrog · Advanced

The head bobbles because the neck is thrust forward or the chest is collapsing, it is not suppleness per se, it is the effect of neck trying to be loose when other parts of the body are too tightened.

Lower legs flap because the rider is not stretched from the hip to the heel (and keeping alignment of ear, shoulder, hip, heel). Riders often tend to ride too long and/or use the thighs against the blocks as they go btv. They should be 'taller' with better alignment and a neutral pelvis.

Eventing101 · Well Schooled

i know this is quite an old post but one day in a dressage lesson my coach had us completely relax on our horses when we were sitting trot and the second i relaxed my back muscles my head started to bob.. my coach says that it's when the rider is really relaxed but also strong if that makes sense then that is when their head starts to bob

Figarocubed · Advanced

I think it just means you're too loosey-goosey. It's NOT good for your spine.

Core strength, people. You need core strength.