Horseriding - Learning The Basic Seat

The basic seat on a horse doesn't take long to pick up on.

When you mount a horse, do not do the following :
+Tense up
+Throw yourself in the saddle
+start walking straight away
+jerk on the reins to keep your balance

Do the following :
+Before mounting check stirrups by putting your hand at the top buckle of the stirrups under the skirt, if it reaches your elbow, they are the right size
+check the girth
+once you've mounted, collect your hands with the reins
+Point toes inwards and heels down (this may feel weird at first but you get used to it
+sit up straight
+look ahead
The stirrup iron should be underneath the toe, not the middle of your foot or the heel, this affects your fall (if you fall) and your balance

Basic equipment :
+Helmet
+body protector
+(if on roads) florecent clothing
+Riding boots (never trainers or wellies, they dont have the right heel)
+jodphurs (never jeans)

And if you wanna go pro
+chaps if jodphur boots are used
+Riding gloves

DO YOU HAVE A GOOD SEAT?
To determine whether you have a good seat, get someone to film you riding so you can play it back to yourself or ask your instructor, no doubt they will correct you anyway.

When riding, keep your weight in your heels and in rising trot, rise from your knees and heels.

Your heels should be level with your ears
Your arms should be slightly diagonaled upwards with your elbows level with your feet, your back should be straight (to get yourself used to this stand against a wall for a while, so you can realise what it feels like)

If you have any more questions about your riding seat or anything to do with horses etc, mail me

thanks
stezzie

Author: Steph Curtis

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Last Updated: Sep 20th 2008

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By: stezzie

Date of comment: Sat, Sep 20th 2008

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