341 | Developing Your Riding Seat

There's always a desire among riders to develop their seat in the saddle. Most riders understand that developing this one aid is a key part of improving as a rider. But what does it really mean? And how can you start to do it? Developing your riding seat begins with understanding that your seat must be used to signal to your horse, not interfere or disrupt his natural movement.   In order for you to utilize this aid successfully, it is imperative that you be relaxed first.  Relaxation is not floppiness, it is just an awareness of your body and how you are using it without any excess tension or resistance through your muscles. The confusion over developing your riding seat often begins right at the beginning when we first learn to ride.  We hear certain phrases repeated continuously, such as "sit up straight, shoulders back, heels down, look up, bend elbows".  The list goes on and on however all those commands, while each in their own way is correct and coming from a good place, can very often have the negative effect of making us stiff and resembling a poker! Developing your riding seat essentially the ability to control your core muscles, both when you need to use them and when they should remain passive or neutral. Many riders think that this is such a foreign thing for them to do; using their core to influence something else. But cast your mind back to when you were small and enjoying the sensation of the wind in your hair as you swung back and forth on a simple swing. Yes, the ones with two ropes hanging from a branch or beam and a plank in the middle for you to sit on. Now, think how you were more than able, on your own steam and without touching the ground, to make each swing go higher than the last... You were essentially using your 'driving seat' to do that.  Likewise, think about when you wanted to get off the swing; you used your body to slow the momentum down and bring the swing to a halt; your resisting seat. Read More... Additional Resources on This Topic:- Learning to Stop Blocking with Your Seat – Part 1 Learning to Stop Blocking with Your Seat - Part 2 Learn to Stop Driving with Your Seat Connection in Your Riding; Seat and Legs Your Independent Seat is a Result of Your Independent Aids Your Independent Seat is Everything in Your Riding Improving Your Feel in the Saddle Online coaching and audio horse riding lessons