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"If you can sense it, you can change it."

- Thomas Hanna - Hanna Somatics

The Somatic Reflexes in Riders

It's common for riders to face challenges with balance and connection. As we grow older, past injuries and stress can make our bodies feel unmanageable. Gaining insight into how our bodies form muscle patterns and learning to alleviate the associated tension is essential for riding. This knowledge not only benefits the horse but also allows riders to enjoy their passion for riding throughout their lives.

On this page you can see what the Somatic Reflexes look like, how they show up, and how they can affect the horse. For more information go to the Somatics Page. 

Green Light Rider:

- Arched back leading to tightness in lower back

- Elevated chest

- Shoulders drawn back

- Chin tucked

- Pelvis tilted forward, seat bones pointing backward

- Toes pointing outward

- Restricted mobility through the center/core making lateral           movements more difficult

- Tendency to push heels down

- Ankles, knees, and hips more restricted

- Less stability 

Affect on the Horse: 

- Forward movement hindered

- Hollow back

- Difficulty collecting

- More tension on joints

Red Light Rider:

​- Rounded posture

- Chin jutting forward

- Shoulders curving forward

- Pelvis tilted backward (pocket sitting)

- Inner thighs tight and gripping the saddle

- Toes wanting to turn in making it harder to keep lower leg on       the horse. 

- Difficulty keeping heels down

- Tightness through the front of the body

- Tendency to hold the breath

- Often created by fear - the 'startle' reflex'

- Tendency to lean forward

Affect on the Horse: 

- If the rider leans forward there is more weight on the front end making it more difficult for the horse to shift the weight back and lighten the forehand

- Tension in rider's neck and shoulders transfers to the horse's neck and shoulders. 

- Pocket sitting puts more pressure on the lumbar spine making it harder for the horse to collect. 

 Physical Trauma Rider

- Body is tilted to one side

- Twist in the body 

- One lower shoulder and/or one hip higher

- Leg length discrepency

- Hips rotated in the saddle

- Saddle slipping to one side

- Difficulty asking for a lead

- Difficulty cuing lateral work, particularly to one side. 

Affect on the Horse: 

- Imbalance in muscling due to adjusting to rider's imbalance

- Chronically tight muscles can lead to lameness concerns

- Can lead to 'one-sidedness'

  (In the photo notice that the rider is sitting more on the left hip and the right heel has come up. The right shoulder is lower and there is a slight twist to the right. With the lower shoulder the head has a slight tilt to the left to counter balance)

Of course, riders can be variations of all three of these reflexes!

"Balance in the body is the foundation for balance in life."

                                   B.K.S. Iyengar

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