The Male Equestrian Rider

Lumber flexion and lowering the pubic bone – and how padded riding pants can help!

It’s important when considering the ability to absorb the horse’s movement that we think about anatomy. To celebrate the fantastically popular Derriere Equestrian Male Performance Padded Shorty, let’s look a little at why a male rider would want extra comfort down below.

We’re all taught to follow the movement of the horse, but in order to execute this, one needs a mobile lower back, being able to both extend and flex the lumbar region without restriction. (And flexing can be more difficult for male riders).

Benefits to the male anatomy

The male’s hip sockets are always further in front of the spine than his female counterparts’, meaning the male rider is usually more able to ‘tuck’ the tailbone (this extends the lumbar area). In men, the sacrum, which connects the lumbar vertebrae to the pelvis and legs, is longer and narrower than in women. The male pelvis is taller, with a higher ‘iliac crest’ (this is the arched bone at the top of the pelvis – the two crests would look a little like angel wings if you were to draw them, or observe an anatomy drawing, and are attached to the oblique muscles. These are the outermost abdominal muscles that keep our middle section elevated, and our core ‘switched on’ for sitting trot.)

There are some benefits to the male anatomy for riding - the hip sockets face further forward than in women (and are closer together) – so the thigh can more easily rest against the saddle. It’s also easier for men to lower the tailbone, as we have discussed. For novice riders, it is intuitive to not mobilise the pelvis too much – it’s the backwards and forwards tipping motion, as opposed to a more upright motion, that absorbs the movement, and avoids that terrible ‘banging’ sensation on sensitive areas that novice riders may experience. However, this motion takes time to achieve, and initially it’s common to ‘brace’. 

 

 

The Derriere Equestrian Performance Bonded Padded Shorty can help elevate the discomfort associated with 'bracing' making for a more enjoyable and comfortable ride. 

More difficult to lower the pubic bone

If a seated male rider allows gravity to act on the pelvis, his pelvis will rock backward, so his pubic bone rises – if a male rider completely relaxes in the saddle, e.g. at halt, this is commonly what happens. This does mean conversely that it’s harder for male riders to lower the pubic bone.

Because the male rider has the benefit of automatically rocking the pelvis backward, the supporting muscles will likely not be so ‘used to’ supporting the pelvis when the pubic bone is lowered, e.g. in an anterior pelvic tilt. (Plus, men would typically avoid this tipping position anyway, to maintain comfort).

(Remember, we need to flex the lumbar region effectively without restriction in order to be truly mobile and flexible – this helps improve communication with the horse. As skillsets advance, we can be subtle with our movements, and also our aids.)

Stilted motion

This issue (that the supporting muscles may not be ‘used to’ supporting the pelvis when the back is flexed) does mean that a sudden imbalance can tip the rider forward uncomfortably. (If in this position, the supporting back muscles are weaker, there’s also the risk of strain, e.g. if the horse spooks). Because men may also actively avoid the tipping forward motion to avoid discomfort, the full range of movement of the pelvis can become stilted – this is where padded underwear can help.

The Derriere Equestrian Performance Padded Shorty (DEPPP) is designed to protect the perineal area (the bit between the pubic arch and the tail bone), from discomfort, and also prevent rubbing, due to innovative stitched seams. Our male customers tell us that having extra padding improves their intuitive riding, as they may not ‘brace’ to protect themselves. Many male riders around the globe rely on Derriere Equestrian underwear, including top international dressage rider Carl Hester MBE, who was quoted saying "Every rider should be wearing them" 

Derriere Equestrian are world leaders in horse riding underwear and experts in their field. The range of Derriere Equestrian undergarments have been scientifically developed and researched in the UK and abroad with advanced technology and only the best fabrics used, customers can be confident they are receiving high end luxury performance wear. Shop the Derriere range at www.derriereequestrian.com 

To improve one’s pelvic mobility and range of motion (and strengthen the supporting muscles in the anterior tilt stage), there are plenty of standing exercises we can do such as switching between posterior and anterior pelvis tilts. YouTube has many examples, like this one.

Dr. Deb Bennett speaks eloquently about male and female anatomical rider differences in her paper ‘Who’s Built Best To Ride’, for anyone who is interested in reading further.