02/10/2025
We are all built a little asymmetrically. The question is: how do those patterns affect your riding, and what can you do about it?
In order to ride well we need to move in harmony with the horse, and as symmetrically as possible, so that the horse can do the same.
Through probably a thousand hours working on Tallulah, the riding simulator, I’ve noticed a very consistent pattern: when we ride, the human pelvis is more limited in its movement to the right than to the left.
On the simulator this shows up as the pelvis not gliding as far to the right side of the saddle as it does to the left. Most people are so used to this that they don’t notice it themselves, but it becomes very clear on the simulator.
The only times I don’t see this pattern are when something significant has happened to the body — a hip or knee replacement, a broken ankle, or sometimes a serious neck or shoulder issue. These can change or disrupt the pattern.
This consistency made me curious as to why I was seeing the same thing in almost everyone. I began to look into the research, and the most likely explanation lies in the anatomy of the diaphragm. The diaphragm is not symmetrical: the right side is larger and sits higher, pushed up by the liver beneath it. This makes the right ribcage more stable and less mobile, while the left side tends to have more space to expand.
That asymmetry of the diaphragm and the liver’s position is well established scientifically. What is not proven — and is more of a working theory — is the link between this natural respiratory asymmetry and the patterns I see in the movement of the rider’s pelvis. Freeing the SI and the pelvis through the exercises we do on Tallulah can also make a big difference, so it is likely that several factors are at play.
We cannot change the natural asymmetry of the body, but we can open up what is tighter than it needs to be, and develop more awareness of our own patterns. This is a huge part of the work we do on Tallulah: once you understand how your body tends to move, you have more choice and more power to use it well — not just in riding, but also when you are walking, running, or cycling. Ultimately it’s about being healthier and more comfortable in your movement.
Sessions on Tallulah are available most days — please get in touch if you can’t see a date that works for you on the website. We also have spaces on the combined simulator and sports massage clinic with Vic Walls on 22 October. https://tilefieldequestrian.com/events/
