How to Acquire a Deep Seat When Riding

Acquiring a deep seat is every rider's goal. Until a deep seat is developed, riders find themselves out of sync with their horses. As they bounce around, beginning and novice riders become tense and rigid. This rigidity further exacerbates the problem. With a few simple exercises and lots of practice, your muscles will develop. As you become stronger, you will relax and move with your horse. You will have much better rides once your deep seat is in place.

Instructions

    • 1

      Check your position. Beginning at the walk, lengthen your spine by sitting tall and straight. Let your legs hang loosely around the horse's barrel, with contact from the top part of your inner thighs down to your ankles. Allow your leg to hang naturally, not forcing your legs into a certain position or dropping your heels in an exaggerated fashion. Maintain full contact of your seat with the saddle. It helps to check your position without stirrups, but it can be done at any gait, with or without them.

    • 2

      Work on the lunge line. The lunge line is a must-have for all riders. Many people think they can master riding quickly and without much work. The truth is, it takes years to master riding different horses, and that mastery begins with an educated seat and legs. Ask your instructor to work with you on the lunge line. Get a quiet horse, drop your stirrups and work at all gaits. Riding without stirrups forces you to rely upon your seat and legs for balance. This new balance gives you a deeper seat and lower leg security.

    • 3

      Follow the horse. if you are bouncing around on your horse's back, it is because you are not following his motion. At the walk, drop your stirrups; if you have a quiet horse, close your eyes. Allow the horse to walk around the arena while you sense his motion and move with it. Once you stop trying to move, you will find that you are moving with the horse. You move with the horse when your pelvis rocks back and forth, in time with the gait. Your fluid, mobile hips allow the rocking motion. Make sure the fluidity and rocking remain in your pelvis, however. Your upper body should only close and open if you are jumping or moving into a two-point position.

    • 4

      Become light. While you are riding with a deep seat, imagine yourself as one with the horse. Your goal is to be soft and light, not interfering with your horse's movement. Visualization helps many riders, and it can help you, too. While working at all three gaits, visualize that you are one with your horse and able to move freely with his motion.

    • 5

      Keep your knees open. Riding with pinched knees causes your lower leg to swing and your upper body to be thrown forward. Keep your knees fluid and soft as you do your hip joints. This fluidity will allow you to absorb motion with your knees, rather than lock against it.