How do I use my seat correctly ?

Question

Hi horseylovers…I was just wondering how I use ‘my seat’ to control my horse!

I would just like to know:…

*Trot to working trot

*Medium canter to a more collective canter

I understand it takes a while and that your horse needs to be supple but I just want to know what aids I need to give my horse from my seat ! I see ppl doing this but its never explained what they are actually doing !

Thank you to any one that can help.

:)

Answer 1

Firstly think....4 legs not 2.

Secondly (only if you trust your horse and can) take the saddle off and ride bareback. I realise this is not for the faint-hearted but it really is the best way to get into the motion of your horse. He (or she) will feel you seat and you will feel the back working. You can do all this with a saddle of course...

Relax. Completely. From walk to trot (sitting) and back to walk, feel the muscles and how they flex. Now for more impulsion....As you trot, flex your pelvis forward, in a scooping motion. The idea is to scoop the horses pelvis under him to get more collection, you can let him move forward (up a gear) into working trot. You need strong cor muscles for this and it takes practise. (I use a physio ball and sit on it like I would a horse to practise balance and strengthen).

Once you have perfected the "pelvic scoop" the same applies to the canter.

If you can think of your pelvis as the gearbox that drives your horses pelvis. Your shoulders as his shoulders, your weight (to either side) his balance/indicator of direction, your hands as neck flection (not the brakes) you are halfway there to your goal. Once you can get upward transition using your seat you MUST practice downward ones. This is easy. Simply "cut the engine" by keeping your pelvis still.

Once your horse is in tune with your new riding skills he will be more responsive to your seat and become a delightful, light ride.

I hope this helps.

Answer 2

move you body with the saddle keep shoulders back sit up straight and seet deep in the saddle meaning use you weight :) x*x

Answer 3

For more advanced collection work you put more weight towards the front of the saddle.

As a horse goes through their training and becomes more alert to halting or slowing in speed through the seat aid, you can then use this in a subtle way to ask the hindquarters to collect but still drive on with the leg. Kind of hard to explain.

If you are a dressage rider and wish to get the feeling of the next more advanced stage, I'd thoroughly recommend having lessons with a good instructor on an advanced horse. It takes some time to balance yourself and learn the fine aids, but once you find the right buttons its invaluable training and you never forget the feeling.

Answer 4

I learned this the hard way, but the results were miraculous - no more having arms pulled out of sockets - or at least very rarely.

Okay.  Practice first in walk.  To increase the length or speed of the walk stride simply sit deeper and increase the swing in your hips - as if you are polishing the saddle, without actually sliding in the saddle.  You do need to combine seat with leg aids and of course keep a steady contact on the reins.

To slow the pace or shorten the stride simply slow the speed of the swing and eventually the horse will come back to your speed - or he will become rather uncomfortable.

Once you have established this practice in walk, you can progress to trot etc.

I hope this helps.  It is easier to explain when one is watching the horse and rider at work.  

I found it very helpful.