| As a riding instructor, one of the biggest challenges I | | | | when the right hind hoof is moving forward. Repeat |
| face is that of convincing my students that the key to | | | | the exercise on the other side. |
| all successful riding is acquiring proper balance in the | | | | The next step is to ride your horse outside of the |
| saddle. | | | | arena. Again, no stirrups. Walk your horse through |
| For some strange reason, many students think that | | | | ditches, up and down hills and over objects on the |
| horseback riding is easy and doesn't require much | | | | ground. Notice how your weight shifts as your horse |
| work. It's as though they should be born with the | | | | travels down a hill. This exercise is about feel so don't |
| natural talent to ride horses. It isn't until after the first | | | | try to correct your body position. Just be aware of it. |
| few lessons that they realize that proper riding requires | | | | You should feel your body moving with your horse. |
| the rider to do more than just sit in the saddle. It takes | | | | Your center of gravity has changed and you are |
| hard work and, particularly, a strong focus on | | | | "centered" with your horse. Note your body position |
| developing a balanced seat. | | | | with every change of movement from your horse. If |
| How does one "find" their seat? The following | | | | you relax, you will always find your "center" and thus |
| exercises have been designed to teach riders the | | | | be balanced. |
| necessary skills to help them acquire balance on their | | | | If you feel confident enough, try these exercises |
| horse. | | | | without a saddle. This is the ultimate riding experience |
| The first step toward achieving balance is learning to | | | | and the best way to become one with your horse. |
| "feel" the horse's movements. This can be done quite | | | | These exercises may seem very basic and, frankly, |
| easily by simply dropping your stirrups and relaxing in | | | | they are. Acquiring balance is not difficult. It does, |
| the saddle while your horse walks. Keep in mind that | | | | however, require practice, time and patience. |
| the "walk" is a four beat gait. The easiest movements | | | | This ends Part 1 of my series on "The Art of Acquiring |
| to feel are those of the hind hoof. The rider should lean | | | | Balance". Please check back to continue the series |
| back and rest his right hand on the horse's right hip. | | | | and discover what every good rider must strive |
| Remember to really lean into the horse and shift your | | | | toward to become a better rider. |
| weight back into your hand. You should be able to feel | | | | |