How To Control and Steer a Horse Using Your Seat and Legs
When riding your horse, your seat and legs are very important.By aligning your body correctly and learning how to adjust the pressure and movement of your seat and legs, you will be able to steer your horse without relying on the reins as much.If you practice using your seat and legs, you will be able to clearly communicate with your signals, which will help you and your horse to have a better relationship.
Step 1: Straight lines can be created through your ear, shoulder, hip, and heel.
Relax in the saddle with your horse.Imagine a line from your ear down to your foot.Try to keep this alignment secure as you ride, as this keeps your weight over your horse's center of gravity.Stand up in the stirrups and find the position where you can easily balance.Lower yourself onto your horse.You may only need to make a few small adjustments if your ear, shoulder, hip, and heel are in line.Your horse can be confused by losing this alignment.Your weight will fall onto your horse's back if your legs slide forward.You will tip forward if your legs are too far back.
Step 2: Hold your legs against the side of your horse.
From your knees, let your legs hang down.Wrap your legs around the horse.This causes your knees to open slightly and prevents you from gripping the saddle at the knee, which can cause you to be unbalanced.
Step 3: The stirrups should be on the ball of each foot.
Put your foot under your toe and let it point outward.The weight should be carried evenly in each foot.
Step 4: Relax and keep it straight.
Straight back is one of the most important aspects of a correct riding posture.Overcompensation can make your back arch uncomfortably if you focus too much on having a straight back.It is common for you to perch in the saddle and for your back to arch without even realizing it.This tells your horse to tense up and prepare for flight, which in turn makes you and the horse tenser.Your back stays straight if you relax as much as possible.You will be able to communicate with your horse.
Step 5: You should follow your horse's movement with your body.
Move with your horse.Relax as your horse moves.Lifts and rolls can be felt in your hands, hips, seat, and legs.You will be able to understand how to use your seat and legs well if you feel flexible and comfortable with your horse.
Step 6: Ask your horse to walk on your legs.
If you want your horse to move towards you, position your weight evenly over the saddle.As your horse moves forward, gently pulse with your lower legs.As you ask your horse to walk, lighten your seat.Imagine if you grew slightly taller towards the sky, instead of gripping with your knees.Imagine holding a ball between your calves as you walk your horse.Try to keep the ball in place.As you squeeze and pulse with your legs, this is the right amount of pressure.
Step 7: If you want to go in a certain direction, open your body.
Turn your head, shoulders, and hips to the right or left.If you want your horse to move into your right leg, apply gentle pressure with your left leg.If you want to move to the left, apply gentle pressure with your right leg and let your horse move into your left leg.One way to think about turning is that your horse will move off or away from the pressure.The weight in your seat should shift slightly as your horse turns.Feel your hands, seat, and legs open.
Step 8: To stop turning, return to your normal position.
When your horse has turned enough to the right or left, stop using your turning aids.If you want your horse to walk on again, position your weight evenly in your seat, look straight ahead, and pulse with each leg.
Step 9: When you are ready to stop, make sure your body is tense.
Become less flexible as you stop following the motion.Slow down the speed at which your hands follow the horse's head.To stop following the motion, reduce the flexibility in your hips and seat.This means that you will ask your horse to slow down or stop.The movement in your hips and seat can be reduced if you tighten your stomach muscles.
Step 10: You should put your weight into your seat bones.
Relax in the saddle, keep your weight distributed evenly, and make sure your back is relaxed.As you exhale, sink your weight down as you stop following the horse.
Step 11: Stop doing it with your legs.
The rhythm and speed of your horse can be maintained by your legs.Allow your calves to relax and remain still as you stop applying pressure on your legs.Your horse will stop.
Step 12: Use your legs to speed up.
Apply more pressure to your legs by keeping your body aligned.Sitting taller will lighten your seat.
Step 13: You can follow the same rhythm by moving your body.
Immediately after using your legs, relax your body and become more flexible to your horse's motion to signal an increase in pace.The hips and seat should be flexible to follow the swinging motion.Allow your hands to move with your horse's head bobbing.Your horse may not understand what you are asking if you don't signal with slight leg pressure and let your body move forward in the same rhythm.
Step 14: You should follow your horse's movement with your elbow.
Let your arms relax once you have begun giving signals with your legs, hips, and seat.Allow your hands and elbows to follow the increased speed.The new movement helps your body to be open.
Step 15: Slow down the pace of your horse with your aids.
Your seat and legs will communicate with each other to maintain the same pace.If you want your hips and seat to follow your horse at a slower pace, pulse your legs gently.If your horse slows to your desired speed, use your legs and seat to maintain the movement.If you are asking your horse to slow down, reduce the swinging motion of your hips and arm.If your horse is moving at a walk, trot, or canter, you can reduce its speed by using your legs and seat in this way.