Riding Horses With The Seat
- Suzy Maloney B.Eq.Sc.
- Oct 1
- 4 min read
When riders first learn to communicate with horses, the focus often falls on reins and legs. But the seat, the way a rider uses their pelvis, weight, and balance, is the foundation of effective riding. The seat connects directly to the horse’s back, influencing rhythm, direction, and energy. A well-developed seat not only improves communication but also helps build trust and harmony between horse and rider. Riding horses with the seat is an essential development for all riders.
Why the Seat Matters
The horse feels everything that happens in the rider’s body. A small change in weight distribution, the way the pelvis follows movement, or the tension in the rider’s core can all send signals. For example:
Shifting weight slightly forward can encourage forward movement.
Deepening the seat and softening the lower back can signal a downward transition.
Evenness through both seat bones helps the horse stay straight.
When the seat is unclear, the horse may brace, lose balance, or rely too heavily on rein pressure. But when the rider’s seat is steady, balanced, and communicative, the horse can respond with lightness and ease.
Developing an Independent Seat
The first goal for any rider is to develop an independent seat, a seat that follows the horse’s motion without gripping, bouncing, or relying on the reins for balance. This allows the seat to become a true aid rather than an unconscious weight. Here are some exercises to try:
Lunge Lessons Without Reins
Ask a helper to lunge your horse while you drop the reins. Place your hands on your hips or out to the sides. Focus on feeling the movement of the horse’s back and allowing the pelvis to follow.
This helps us discover whether we are stiff, gripping, or leaning.
No Stirrups Work
Riding without stirrups at walk and trot improves balance and allows us to sink into the saddle.
We need to avoid gripping with the thighs; instead, letting our legs hang and feeling our seat bones in contact with the saddle.
Off-Horse Core Training
Activities like yoga, Pilates, or even simple planks and bridges strengthen the core and increase awareness of pelvic alignment. A supple, strong core is essential for a responsive seat.
Using the Seat for Transitions
The seat plays a major role in transitions between gaits. Instead of relying on reins to stop or legs to go, we can practice using the seat first.
Downward Transitions (trot to walk, walk to halt):
Breathe out, soften our lower back, and imagine our weight flowing downward into the saddle.
We need to resist the temptation to pull on the reins; letting the seat give the primary signal.
Upward Transitions (walk to trot, trot to canter):
Allowing the pelvis to follow with more energy, almost as if we’re “scooping” forward with each stride. Support with a gentle leg aid if necessary, but focus on the seat as the main initiator.
Exercise: Practice transitions where we consciously use our seat first, adding reins or legs only if our horse does not respond. Over time, the horse will begin to listen more closely to our body cues.
Guiding Direction and Bend with the Seat
The seat is also crucial for steering and lateral work. Turning isn’t just about pulling a rein; it begins with where the rider’s weight is placed.
To ask for a turn, we can think of gently weighting the inside seat bone while allowing your outside leg to support.
For circles or lateral movements, imagine the pelvis “mirroring” the shape of the horse’s back.
Exercise: Ride a 20-meter circle and focus only on the seat. Keep both hands steady and light. We can ask ourselves: Am I sitting evenly? Do I feel the inside swing of the horse’s back? Make small corrections by shifting weight subtly rather than pulling on the inside rein.
Building Feel and Connection
Perhaps the greatest gift of riding from the seat is the deeper feel it develops. Because the seat communicates quietly, the horse learns to respond without tension. Over time, this builds a partnership based on trust rather than force.
Exercise: On a relaxed walk, close both eyes for a few strides. Notice how the horse’s back moves under us. Can we feel the rise and fall of each hind leg through the seat? The more we tune into this rhythm, the more natural it becomes to ride from the body instead of the hands.
The seat is more than just where we sit; it is the primary bridge of communication between horse and rider. A balanced, aware seat allows for clearer transitions, straighter lines, smoother bends, and ultimately, a deeper connection. By using the seat first, before hands and legs, practicing simple exercises and focusing on suppleness and awareness, we can turn our seat into our most effective aid of all.
Happy Horses Bitless
Considerate Horsemanship
Ph: 0401 249 263
Email: suzy@happyhorsesbitless.com
Facebook: Happy Horses Bitless Bridles
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