Improving Posture When in the Saddle Of Your Horse

Whether you are an experienced rider or a complete begnner there are simple excercises that can help improve and maintain a comfortable and correct riding posture when in the saddle. By practicing these in the saddle it will also help you feel more comfortable and at home there, brilliant if you are an inexperienced and or nervous rider.

These excercises are best practiced on a quiet horse, on a lunge, with the help of an experienced horse person that will control the horse, enabling you to concentrate solely on the exercise at hand. These are best practiced in walk first before proceding to trot when ready.

Toe Circling -For relaxing your ankles
-With the reins knotted so they will not dangle low around the horse's neck and stirrups crossed over the horses neck; hold on to the pommel of the saddle then begin slowly circling your toes only. Be sure to keep your upper body still and not grip with your knees or hips.

Carrying Cups -For establishing correct arm position
-With the reins knotted so they will not dangle low around the horse's neck, relax your shoulders down with your arms relaxing naturally by your sides. Raise your lower arm until your wrist is in line with your elbow. Remember to keep the weight pushing down into your elbows so you're using your elbows to support your lower arm, not tensing your upper arm. Turn your hands so your thumbs are facing upwards.

Shoulder Shrug - For establishing correct shoulder position
-With the reins knotted so they will not dangle low around the horse's neck, drop your arms down by your side and slowly lift your arm from your shoulder, up - back - and down. This is the optimum position for your shoulders. Do this a few times until you become used to where your shoulders finally rest.

Leg Loosening - For leg positioning
-Have your helper gently place their hand under the back of your your thigh; release your hip joint and allow the helper to move your leg back slightly whist bringing their hand towards themselves. This flattens your leg onto the side of the horse. All you need to do is remain relaxed and become used to the slightly wider leg position. Remembering where your leg is and how it feels can enable you to correct your leg position yourself if it slides forward. This excercies will also help to bring your seat under yourself, making any aids given using your seat more effective and allowing you more movement through your hips and lower back.

Practice makes perfect so if the positions you find yourelf in feel unusual or uncomfortable keep trying, you will become accustomed to this new positioning. These are some simple procedures that will help you develop balance, stability and a more effective riding technique.

Tammy is a passionate equine rider who trys to promote the best ways to be treating horses. Tammy works part time for anythingequine.co.uk who specialise in horse riding helmet as well as Equestrian Clothingn and riding jodhpurs in the UK.