How important are good riding skills?

Horsemanship Series 1 "Getting a Better Ride"

Test your knowledge with this quick true/false horsemanship quiz:   Body position is unimportant while riding Leaning while turning helps the horse It's easier to steer when you're watching your horse

Body Posture # 1 Body Posture # 2 Body Posture # 3

In this section I will be addressing question # 1 "Body Position". If you answered false to question # 1, you are off to a good start. The core of good riding starts with correct body position. There are several elements involved with a riders position that provide clear communication to your horse. The photos above exhibit the first three examples of body position in my series; "Getting a better ride". Rider # 1 is demonstrating a position which is too far back. We also refer to this position as "behind the motion". In this position, the rider is not in the center of her horse's pivot point and it will be difficult for the rider to have a smooth ride and sit quietly. Imagine sitting on either end of a teeter-totter  vs sitting in the center of the teeter-totter. There is a lot more motion on either end and very little in the middle. From the horses stand point, the quieter the rider sits, the easier his job will be. Resulting in a happier, more willing horse. Rider # 2 is leaning forward which places her weight on her horses front end making him unbalanced. A horse naturally already has to learn to balance himself, compensating for his hefty head and neck which create more weight on his  front end than his hind end. Now, when a rider puts their weight forward onto an already heavy shoulder, it makes it more difficult for the horse to balance himself.  Tripping, picking up wrong leads, or resisting moving into the lope or canter can all be caused by a rider leaning forward. Rider # 3 is demonstrating a position where her back is arched  and she is sitting on her pubic bone rather than her seat bones.  The seat bones are one of the three points of contact a rider needs to have in order to communicate well with their horse. The other two are a rider's hands and legs, which I will discuss in another section. Riding without seat bone  contact, a rider will have difficulty communicating to their horse which direction to go, which lead to pick up as well as many other movements. Great riders will communicate with their horse through the slightest signals or cues that go undetected by most onlookers. This often gives the false impression that horse back riding is easy, and there is very little work involved, but those of you who ride know this is not the case. In fact, horse back riding is the most difficult multi-tasking sport you can do. It's amazing how many of "your horse's problems" can be fixed by a simple change in you. Riding is an art and must be fine tuned constantly, which is why the guidance of an instructor or knowledgeable ground person, is so beneficial. Each ride will be different. Even on the same horse.  Next time you're in the saddle, think about your horse and how you can HELP him by improving your riding skills. Keep practicing and stay tuned for more ways for "getting a better ride".   C Bell

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I have been professionally training horses for pleasure and show for over 20 years. I would like to use this platform as a way to help people gain a better relationship with their horse and to answer questions regarding your horse or horsemanship.

Callie Bell Performance Horses in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275 | Parents Connect Local

Callie Bell Performance Horses in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275 | Parents Connect Local