10/06/2026
Shoulder position reflects pelvis position!
When I’ve asked about positional faults before, upper body and shoulder position is always a very common response! Rounded shoulders, hunched shoulders, one shoulder lower, one shoulder twisted forwards, sticky out arms and elbows…
The first thing I look at is pelvis position and control in the saddle. If you are rolled back or in chair seat position, this will encourage hunching of your shoulders. If your pelvis is rolled forward or in fork seat, this can encourage a very rigid shoulder position and your elbows to stick out.
If you lack control on one side of your pelvis that hip will hitch up and the shoulder on that side will drop down. If this positional fault continues, it can lead to the rider twisting towards the side of the hitched up hip, meaning the opposite shoulder twists forward.
Optimal pelvis position begins with good mobility and good control which can be improved off the horse with a good exercise programme. Saddle fit matters too, your saddle must place your pelvis in an optimal position and allow it to move with your horse.
Secondly, check your breathing pattern. Can you breathe effectively using your diaphragm in a 360 degree expansion of your lower ribcage? If you can do this, chances are your upper body and shoulders are already in a better position! If you are not using your diaphragm fully, your accessory breathing muscles in your neck and shoulders must do more work than they are designed for. This can make them tight and tense and make you to fix through your shoulders and arms. I encourage all my riders to do the diaphragm reset video regularly (find it in my past videos) and then to do 20 big full diaphragmatic breaths every night before they go to sleep.
Our diaphragm is a skeletal muscle and we can train it to improve its performance just like any other muscle!
For me optimising breathing and optimising pelvis mobility, and control of that mobility, hold the key to improving your position in the saddle.
Tune in tomorrow for some specific shoulder exercises.
💙 Breathe better, move better, ride better
Maev
