Riding in your western trail saddle with a centered, balanced seat can be the difference between a comfortable ride or uncomfortable ride for your horse or mule.
As I’ve explained on other places on the website and in my blog, I’ve been riding since before I can even remember. I’ve logged literally millions of miles in the saddle on many different horses with lots of bareback riding as well as riding in a saddle. So, for me, a good saddle seat developed because of experience and constant exposure to riding. I didn’t know that you could have a poor ”seat” or position in a saddle or even what the term “seat” meant. The first time someone told me I had a “good seat”, I thought he was getting fresh with me!!
But, I did find with other sports and activities I got into as an adult that I had exceptionally good balance–which was a result of horseback riding all my life . Martial arts, water and snow skiing, aerobics–especially kickboxing, skateboarding, etc. So, it stands to reason that if you participate in activites that improve your balance and improve your “core” strength…you will also improve your balance on a horse. Ab workouts are great for this too. Here’s some other ideas:
a) Work with a qualified horseback riding teacher who can help you with your seat, balance and riding habits. (Notice I said “qualified”. Too many people are hanging out their shingle as “horse experts” when they are not. Ask for references and check them out.) Even experienced riders can benefit from some lessons and clinics in this area.
b) Ride bareback on a regular basis. Stay safe, of course. Stay in the arena if you aren’t comfortable out on the trail. If you aren’t comfortable on your horse bareback…borrow someone else’s gentler horse and ride bareback. Riding bareback gets rid of the ”crutches” that may be causing you to have a poor seat–like the stirrups or horn. It helps develop your core strength, especially if you do some turning and circles. Saddles do have a purpose in keeping both you and your horse comfortable on long rides (and keeping you secure, not to mention being able to get on when out on the trail!), but being able to ride bareback well is a key element to being a good rider.
c) Loosen up. Do things on your horse you might not normally do. Be a kid again. Here’s what us horse addicts that grew up horseback know from riding as kids. You can do pretty much anything from off your horse…and it sure beats getting on and off all the time. Get the mail from your mailbox, open and close gates, check out your gutters, sit backwards in your saddle, sit sideways, hang left, hang right or hang upside down if you feel like it. Scratch your horse’s ears, the top of his tail lay on his neck and hug him. Be safe, of course–and use good judgement about your horse. Try this when your horse is being calm and relaxed and you have nothing pressing to do, so both of you are relaxed. Stop if he starts acting “unrelaxed”. If you are comfortable and relaxed and your horse is comfortable with you…you can do just about anything and your horse will stay calm and you will stay in the saddle. The better your balance and seat will become just by relaxing and gaining confidence. I see so many riders sitting stiffly in the saddle, death grip on the reins, butt cheeks clenched and jaw clenched! I know they and their horses have to be SO sore by the end of their ride.
Also–learn how to fall. Coming off unexpectedly happens to the best riders. Take a tumbling class and learn how to take a fall without hurting yourself. Once you confront your fears, then you will actually relax more and be a better rider. Which means you’re more likely to stay on…and you will be a more comfortable rider for your horse.