| For many beginning riders, just sitting on a horse and | | | | On a horse, this translates to maintaining a position |
| staying on seems enough. But as you progress, it | | | | where you feet are beneath you and your knees are |
| becomes more important to have a correct, balanced | | | | bent to accommodate this position. Unlike a chair |
| seat as you ride. | | | | position, you will find that your upper leg is in a |
| A balanced seat not only allows the rider to stay on | | | | near-vertical position, forming an open angle between |
| the horse, it also allows the horse to travel forward in | | | | your torso and your leg. As you shorten your stirrup, |
| a more balanced way. If you are riding for | | | | this angle will close, but your weight will remain evenly |
| performance purposes it is essential to offer your | | | | balanced from your shoulder, through your hip to your |
| horse every opportunity to be balanced as he works. | | | | heel. |
| No matter your discipline, the basics for balance remain | | | | For some disciplines, such as jumping, you need to ride |
| the same. A balanced seat has even weight on both | | | | in a forward seat. If your leg is too far back, your |
| seat bones with the center of balance directly over | | | | balance will fall forward, and you will need to lean on |
| the stirrup. | | | | your horse's neck. If your leg is too far forward, it will |
| Most riders start out with what is called a "chair seat". | | | | be next to impossible to move into a forward seat |
| When you sit on a chair, you sit with your bottom | | | | position, as your balance will be shifted towards the |
| behind you and your legs in front of you. If someone | | | | back. |
| were to suddenly pull the chair out from under you, | | | | You need to maintain a leg position that would allow |
| you would collapse on the ground. This is because | | | | you to remain upright should the horse be removed |
| your center of balance is to the back, making you | | | | from beneath you. To sit forwards, you need to close |
| unable to remain upright without the support of the | | | | the angle of your hip so that your upper body comes |
| chair. | | | | forward and your seat slides backwards. Try this while |
| If you ride in a chair seat, you center of balance is | | | | squatting on the ground to see how the balance |
| behind you, directly in the middle of your horse's back. | | | | works. If you lean forward without sticking your bottom |
| This makes it impossible for your horse to engage his | | | | backwards, you will be off balance and wind up falling |
| hind end and to move forward freely. You horse's | | | | on your face. |
| movement will be impaired and you could even cause | | | | A well balanced rider should be able to lower her |
| him a sore back. | | | | upper body as low as the neck, and then return to a |
| To become balanced, you need to change your | | | | normal position without losing her seat. This is because |
| posture so that your weight is carried down through | | | | she balances herself through the hip. |
| your shoulder into your leg and into your feet. If | | | | Take the time to practice your seat while on the |
| someone were to pull the horse out from beneath you, | | | | ground. You can try it on a short stool or on an |
| you should be able to land on your feet and maintain | | | | exercise ball if you prefer the feel of something |
| your position. | | | | beneath you. Always imagine what might happen if the |
| To experience this, try squatting on the ground as | | | | horse (or stool) were no longer beneath you. Would |
| though you were riding on a horse. To maintain your | | | | you stay on your feet? |
| balance you need to bend your knee forward, keep | | | | It takes time to perfect a balanced seat, and as you |
| your bottom beneath you, and your upper body slightly | | | | pick up the pace and move into a trot or canter, it can |
| ahead to balance off your bottom. The more you | | | | be more difficult. In the long run, though, it is more than |
| need to lean forward, the more you will need to | | | | worth the effort. Your horse will perform far better, |
| compensate by bending your knees and closing the | | | | and you will be more balanced and less likely to fall off |
| angle of your hips so that your bottom is further behind | | | | should something unexpected happen. |
| you. | | | | |