When I hear people talk about their seat on a horse, they often refer to keeping their bottom in the saddle!
When this topic is brought up, the typical emotions range from a hope of not falling off to a desire to be more in tune with a horse.
There is a concept I call “hip consciousness” as a way of improving your seat. It goes like this.
Shift your thinking about your seat. Consider that the concept of your “seat” is actually your ability to allow your hips to move in rhythm with the horse’s natural cadence of motion.
It’s not about your ability to just sit well. It’s more about feeling the rhythm of horse.
The key to developing this kind of a seat is a consciousness of getting tuned into the motion of the horse underneath you through your hips … and then going with it.
This is an exercise to try when you have time, you are not rushed and you will not get distracted. It’s similar to doing a quiet meditation with your horse. Go slow and focus.
Here are the eight steps to stay balanced and connected to your horse through your seat:
1. Take a breath sitting still astride your horse. Consciously loosen your hips, your back and your shoulders just by suggesting to yourself to loosen them all. Don’t make it complicated. Just make the suggestions mentally. Get loose. Take your time. Breathe into any tight areas.
2. Then, at a walk just notice your hips. Don’t DO anything. Just feel your seat bones moving back and forth in the saddle. Again, don’t do anything. Just tune in. Relax and stay focused on being loose and feeling the rhythm of your seat bones in the saddle.
3. Turn your horse in a large, slow circle. Through your hips, notice the movement of your horse’s front legs. Play with becoming keenly aware of where your horse’s legs are in this slow, simple circle. Feel his legs through your hips.
4. Now try a slow trot. Before you trot off, consciously loosen your upper body again and squeeze with your calves for a smooth transition to a slow trot.
5. Again, focus on your hips. Breathe into the motion of your hips. Keep your elbows loose. Whatever you do with your horse, feel it through your hips first.
6. If you have trouble staying focused, or loose, go back to a walk. This is very important because if you cannot remain loose or stay focused on the rhythm of your horse through your seat bones, you will not make your desired gains for improving your balance and your connection to your horse.
7. Keep practicing. Be careful to go through each step and achieve it completely before going to the next step.
8. Before any more advanced maneuver, make sure you’ve softened your upper body and tuned into your hips.
As you develop your seat using this technique, you will also feel calm. This is a wonderful side effect!
You will be cool on the inside … balanced in the saddle … and connected to your horse. Enjoy!
“Eight Tips to Develop Your Seat & Balance”
by Barbra Schulte
ACTHA Monthly | January 2015 | 38