Imagine riding a wiry mustang at full gallop into a herd of racing buffalo and maneuvering at top speed for the best shot. You can't rely on your hands to guide your bareback pony, since you're holding a bow and arrow, aiming for the kill.
Talk about a solid seat! The Plains Indians were masters of riding in such challenging circumstances, where life and death often depended on how well you rode and how quickly your horse responded to your cues.
You may not be galloping bareback into a herd of buffalo anytime in the near future, but by developing a solid, secure, balanced seat, your trail riding adventures will be safer and more enjoyable than ever before. And, having a solid seat increases your in-saddle confidence.
Sitting your saddle correctly and in a balanced position also enhances comfort. "When you're out of balance, your body tends to stiffen either from the waist up or the waist down," Lynn Palm explains. "Either way, stiffness causes you to work against your horse's motion, which makes you more fatigued. You also won't be able to relax in the saddle."
For these exercises, ride in your regular tack in an enclosed area, such as an arena, paddock, or pasture. You and your horse need to have mastered the basics of walk, trot, and lope/canter, although you don't need to lope/canter during these exercises if you don't feel comfortable doing so.
Step 1: Focus on Upper-Body Balance
Leaning too far forward in the saddle is a common problem. While you might think balance in the saddle has everything to do with your seat, it actually starts above the waist. Correct position in the saddle begins with proper upper-body position.
First and foremost is your visual focus. Believe it or not, where you look when you're riding has a great deal to do with your balance. Look up and ahead, beyond your horse's ears, to where you want to go next. When you look at his head or neck, your chin drops, which tilts your entire body forward, putting you out of balance. You'll also be behind your horse's reactions, and late with aids and cues.
Looking up and ahead builds your confidence. You'll begin to feel what's happening with your horse, instead of looking down at him for clues.
To improve your upper-body position, sit in the saddle, preferably in front of a large mirror, so you can see how you look on your horse. Or, have a friend photograph or videotape you as you ride. Practice getting your upper body into correct position.
As you look ahead, line up your ears with your shoulders, and square your shoulders. Line up your left shoulder with your horse's left ear; line up your right shoulder with his right ear. Stay centered on your horse's back to keep in balance.
Imagine drawing a line from your shoulder to the center of your hip. This line should be straight up and down. Tilted-forward shoulders automatically put your hips behind the vertical, causing you to sit on your crotch instead of your seat bones.
Your arm and hand position has a great deal to do with establishing a firm body position. If you ride with your hands too far back or with too-long reins, your upper body will become unbalanced and teeter-totter.
Position your arms so that your elbows are slightly in front of your body, not beside or behind it. Keep your hands in front of the saddle, which will help stabilize and control your upper body.
Practice finding correct upper body position at a standstill. Then, maintain that position at a walk. When you can easily maintain position at the walk, move on to the trot and finally the lope/canter.
