Your horse or pony does what you ask, but your posture and seat must be correct. If you are not sitting straight, tense or out of balance, your aid will not come through properly. You lose control, feel less of what is happening underneath you and riding becomes less enjoyable. With a good and relaxed posture you stay in balance and give clear aids. That makes riding more enjoyable for your horse and for yourself. In this blog we give you 7 practical tips with which you can improve your posture and seat as a rider!
Common Posture Mistakes in Horse Riders
Good posture starts with awareness. Below are three of the most common posture and seat mistakes riders make, including an explanation of why they are so disruptive to your horse's communication:
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· Hollow back or slumped posture
A common mistake is an overly straight or slumped back. Riders who sit too much in the lower back often hollow their back, pull their shoulders back and tense their body unnecessarily. On the other hand, there are also riders who slump, with a rounded back and drooping shoulders. Both postures disrupt your balance. Your upper body becomes unstable, your seat bones do not make good contact with the saddle and your aids become unclear. Your horse or pony feels this instability and will often react to it with tension or confusion. -
· Clamps with knees or calves
Many riders unconsciously squeeze their knees or calves to find something to hold on to. This often happens when they are tense, fast or uncertain. The result is a stiff and unnatural leg position, which makes it difficult to dose your aids. If your legs are tense, you block the movement of your hips and upper body. Your horse also feels this tension and can therefore walk faster or slower, in an attempt to escape the pressure. -
· Staring down
Looking at your horse, your hands or the ground may seem harmless, but it has a big impact on your seat. As soon as you look down, your head moves forward and your upper body tilts. This shifts your centre of gravity, you lose balance and you put pressure on your horse or pony's forehand. By simply looking forward, you automatically improve your posture and ride with more confidence.
7 practical tips for a better posture and seat as a rider
1. Place your feet directly under your body
Your posture and seat as a rider starts with your feet. Make sure your feet are under your hips and your heels are slightly lower than your toes. This gives a stable base and prevents you from falling forward or backward in the saddle.
2. Keep your upper body relaxed
Don't shrug your shoulders and let your arms hang calmly alongside your body. A relaxed upper body prevents you from passing on tension to your four-legged friend.
3. Ride regularly without stirrups
Without stirrups you learn to feel better what is happening underneath you. You train your balance and learn to sit more independently. Start with short pieces and build it up slowly.
4. Let yourself be filmed
Have someone film you while you drive. That way you can see things you might not feel yourself, like sitting crooked or a loose hand. Do you have mirrors in the box? Use them too. Improving starts with seeing what you are doing.
5. Train your core muscles
Strong abs and back muscles give you more control in the saddle. Think of simple exercises like planks or light strength training. It helps you to sit upright and stable.
6. Work on the lunge
Let someone lunge your horse while you focus on your posture and seat. You don't have to steer and can focus completely on your body and balance.
7. Don't expect quick results
Improving your posture and seat as a rider takes time. Don't try to tackle everything at once. Small adjustments make a difference in the long run!
Complete it with the right riding clothing
A good posture starts with you, but the right clothing helps. Joline's riding clothing is comfortable, gives you freedom of movement and ensures a neat, professional appearance. This way you step into the saddle with confidence. View our collection of riding clothing for girls and boys!
Do you have any questions about your posture and seat as a rider? Or about our products? Feel free to ask, contact us and we will be happy to help you!
