5 Ways To Improve Your Horseback Riding Seat

Improve your riding seat by putting yourself in a better position. You’ll be able to apply your aids more easily when you are balanced in the saddle. In the long run, you’ll help protect your horse’s back when you learn to distribute your weight correctly. Follow these five exercises if you want to improve how you communicate with your horse.

1) Relax your muscles and breathe: Stretch your legs for a minute before you jump into the warm up. You can take them out of the stirrups and hang them long. Point and flex your toes while they are hanging. Rotate your shoulders back in a circle motion and gently turn your head from side to side. Lastly, inhale and exhale deeply. Now as you carry on, remember to keep a relaxed body.

2) Ride a bicycle: Pretend you are riding a bicycle on top of your horse. This will stretch out the leg muscles and help your lower leg. You can also lift both legs off the saddle and into the air for a few seconds. Don’t even let your thighs touch.

3) Wear a pretend necklace: Imagine you are wearing a beautiful necklace that you want to show off. Lift and open your chest so the world can see it. Press our shoulder blades together and hold them. Be careful you don’t arch your back while doing this exercise.

4) Plastic cup with water: Fill two cups of water in a plastic cup and place one in each hand. Position your hands correctly and try to maintain consistent, even contact.

5) Sit on your hands: Make sure you are sitting evenly on your seat bones by learning where they are and what they feel like. You can sit on your hands and wiggle your fingers until you find them. Your weight will be distributed evenly if you sit on both of seat bones.

A good horseback rider will use their seat effectively in order to communicate with their horse properly. These five exercises will help you improve your legs, hands, shoulders, and general seat. You’ll be riding like a pro!