How to Balance on a Horse

The most difficult part of learning to ride a horse is learning to balance when the horse is moving. For professional riders, balance is second nature -- they could stay on their horses even without a saddle or bridle. For new riders, learning to balance can seem daunting, but once you let go of the saddle horn and let your body do the work, you'll find that it quickly becomes second nature. The key to balancing on a horse is to find and align yourself with the horse's own center of gravity.

Instructions

    • 1

      Cultivate a balanced seat. Sit up as straight as possible. Put the balls of your feet in the stirrups and press your heels down to give you a deeper seat in the saddle. Don't put your knees forward as if you were sitting in a chair. Instead, let them fall naturally. If you are sitting correctly, you should be able to draw a straight line from the top of your head, through the hip and to the ankle.

    • 2

      Align your center of gravity with the horse's at all times. When the horse is moving on the flat, sit straight up as described in Step 1. But if the horse goes up or down a hill, or if you are jumping, you will need to lean backward and forward when you feel the horse's center of gravity shifting.

    • 3

      Release the saddle horn. If you are holding onto something for balance, you will not be able to feel and adjust your body's natural balance.

    • 4

      Hold the reins just tightly enough to maintain a connection with the horse's mouth. Rest your hands directly in front of you, low near the front of the saddle. When you are holding the reins correctly, you should be able to draw a line from your elbow to the horse's mouth.

    • 5

      Practice riding without stirrups to lengthen your legs and deepen your seat further. The deeper you sit in the saddle, the more secure your seat will be.

    • 6

      Every time you mount a horse, take some time before setting off to adjust your seat and improve your balance. Position both seat bones under you, and check to make sure the stirrups are the correct length. For casual riding, your legs should be extended almost as much as they are when you practice without stirrups.