Lunge exercises to improve position?

Ok. First check that she does not have a physical problem with her back. There is a condition called Lordosis which tends to make people hunch their shoulders and stoop. There is a sidewards condition called scoliosis which makes people drop a shoulder and can be mild or severe. (I have both and failed my stage II riding, but the examiner was astute enough to ask me to get some x-rays done to check, and it threw up some surprising results. When I took the exam again, with x-rays in hand and a letter from the surgeon I saw stating that I did have a back problem, I passed the exam.

Also take into account if she is tall or short. Either can cause some difficulties but some of these can be overcome.

Once you have established that she is quite okay, ask her to quit her stirrups and to some circling of arms backwards (never forwards as she needs to lift her rib cage) and arms out to the side, swinging around as far as she can on either side.

Get her to bring her knees up into jockey position, hold that position and then take her legs as far apart as possible, finding her seat bones in the process. Tell her to imagine a piece of string on the top of her hat attached to something above her head, that should hopefully sit taller. Get her touching the horse's tail (if possible).

Get her to grasp her ankles behind her bottom and pull on them, stretching her thigh and knee back until almost straight, holding that position and then let her legs hang long and low.

Depending on how quiet the horse is, ask her to hold two plastic mugs partly full of water and get her sitting up tall and keep her hands in the correct position, remember the imaginary straight line between the horse's mouth and the elbow. Start this in walk, and then gradually move up to a trot, first sitting (remembering to keep her hands still, since she is aiming to keep her water in the mug!!!! The aim of the game is to be flexible enough in the elbows so that she keeps her hands still, whatever her body and the horse is doing.

Have her sitting in the correct position without stirrups and moving up and down transitions, using her hips and back to get the horse to slow and speed up and not to get left behind the movement and go in front of it.

Then in the last few minutes give her back her stirrups and reins and try and keep that better position. With stirrups a good exercise would be to have her open her hands and in rising trot aim to bring her hips forward (rather than straight up and down) as if she is trying to get them between her hands. That will also cause her to sit up straighter.

Exercises to strengthen and straighten her back would be to stand with knees bent against a wall, as if she is sitting on a chair and holding that position for as long as she can would be a good exercise.

She will find things much easier after a few lessons. I am sure you do not need me to tell you that lungeing is strenuous on the horse, however fit he is so keep it short. She can always ride longer in the arena to practice what she has learned.

I am glad you are back! I have missed you. How are the boys doing after their move!

Practise it at halt, walk, trot, then canter. Also walking,trotting,cantering over poles in the jumping position. After perfection you can start jumping over wee jumps. Remember to keep your heels down when jumping! To maximize security. 5 steps of jumping; approach, take off,flight,landing and get away. Maintain a straight line throughout, lots of impulsion, not necessarily speed, do not go into jumping position until the horse begins taking off, as if he refuses it is likely you'll fall! This has happened to me even when I'm sitting up straight. Sit up when horse has landed, but try not to land too heavily. Hope I've helped. Sorry for the extra info, just thought I'd put it in there! Good luck!

Have her drop her stirrups, and if she's comfortable with it, the reins too, and just focus entirely on position. That way she doesn't need to worry about controlling the horse at all (you'll be doing that from the lunge line) and she can just focus 100% on her position.