There’s a certain quality to some rider’s seats that I have always admired and lusted after (in a riderly sort of way!). You see it often in the continentals riding dressage as well as our own top riders of course.  There is a stillness and an adhesion to the saddle, and the horse, but that also clearly allows the rider to be ‘soft’ in the seat and allow the horse to move.

Some time ago I discovered this missing part for myself and knew immediately that it had a major impact on my stability, my aids to the horse, the horse’s way of going and my whole position. I cannot exactly remember what led me to try this particular muscle use, but I can pass on how to achieve it! I do recall Mary Wanless’ teachings saying....riders are always too wide, they need to get narrower all the way down......or words to that effect and I can now understand what she means.

One point I should first make is that I may only have added in this important piece of the puzzle because I had got quite a lot of the other pieces in place - at long last. So, if you try this and find it doesn’t work, there may still be issues you need to address like using core strength to hold and support your torso, sitting straight in the saddle, having equal weight on both sides of your pelvis, breathing diaphragmatically, an appreciation of how your horse should be allowed to go forward. (Check out the link to the Pilates document as this beautifully sums up most of what I have discovered is the bare necessity for a good seat. All this does take time and trying to advance without these foundations in place has been the cause of many a frustrated rider.

Step one

Stand in your stirrups at halt (if you are in a safe place on a safe horse). Think of narrowing in your thigh 'squeezing' them towards the middle of the saddle at hip joint level. Feel as if you are trying to slowly make the space between your thighs much smaller. Muscles from the hips, buttocks and down the back/top but side of your thigh should feel harder and in tone. If you place your fingers on the big muscle in your buttock towards the outside, then run your hand down your thigh 6 - 8 inches, it is all this area that should be in use.

Step two

Slowly lower yourself down holding this narrowness and keep the muscles narrowing in as you sit on the saddle. Your seat bones will now not be so obviously resting on the saddle but still have some contact but through some muscle in your underneath.

Step three

Keep doing this as you ride. The feeling should be almost as if you have some suckers on your thighs where they contact the saddle. You will feel connection with the saddle more towards the back of the saddle than previously and that the horse is more out in front of you. You will be stiller and therefore a better load for the horse to carry. Weight will be spread down your thighs more so making yourself appear a lighter weight to the horse. When you give a leg aid you will find your leg(s) can be used independently of the rest of your body - how they are meant to be used (but no one ever usually can explain this to a learning rider or they have been keeping it a secret!). The knee and the front of the thigh and lower leg will not be clamped on the horse blocking movement.

Have a look at www.dressageco.com  Find Dressage for riders and click on PILATESSLIDESHOW509. On page 15 there is a diagram of this muscle use entitled Engaging the spine..’squeezing the bottom and wrapping the thighs’. this will also guide you as to how to bring up the right muscles. The other slides are of great interest too.

Hope this works for you and your horse. Give it go and if it helps, (or doesn’t) please leave a comment!