Did you know that there is more than one rider position? Did you know that rider position has an effect on the horse and smooth gait? Did you know that rider position can place you in a more secure position to help you confidently ride through spooks?
Rider Position and its Effect on the Gaited Horse
By Jennifer Klitzke
Since 1988, I’ve taken hundreds of dressage lessons, ridden at dressage clinics, read many books, and watched dozens of dressage videos. When it comes to rider position, there are a variety of methods.
Comparing Rider Positions
The rider position I first learned teaches an ear, hip, and heel alignment and balance by loosely following the horse’s movement. This position focuses on growing tall with the upper body while stretching the legs long and pressing the heel down into the iron. It gives the rider a straight leg feeling. The rider’s seat focuses on the three seat bones. While riding, there is a feeling of leaning back with the upper body, especially at the sitting trot.
Mary Wanless Clinic and getting established in the
A,B,Cs of riding bio-mechanics.
I learned another rider position when I rode at a Mary Wanless rider bio-mechanics clinic. She teaches balance through stillness made through the isokinetic bearing down of the core muscles and sealing the thighs and knees against the saddle. The rider’s seat includes the knees, thighs and seat bones where the majority of the rider’s weight is held in thighs and not pressed down into the heel. Instead, the toe lightly rests in the iron. This rider position also teaches an ear, hip, heel alignment, but with a 90-degree bend at the knee between the hip and heel instead of the straight leg. Instead of a leaning back feeling, there is a pressing forward feeling from the sternum as if resisting someone’s push.
Mary’s theories have been developed through her education in physics, biomechanics, riding dressage through the upper levels, and studying the best dressage riders of her time. She’s coached top riders such as long-time student and successful Grand Prix rider Heather Blitz.
Mary has a knack for putting words to how talented dressage riders ride. Even though I have been a book and video student for decades, it wasn’t until experiencing this clinic where her rider position and biomechanics really clicked.
Eleven steps to a more secure rider position that benefits the horse and smooth gaits
- Stirrup length: Adjust the stirrups to a 90-degree bend in the knee. At first it might feel too short.
- External alignment: While sitting on the horse just behind the wither, align the ear, hip, and heel.
- Thigh and knee position: Then rotate the thighs inward so that the thighs and knees seal to the saddle. This helps distribute the rider’s weight along the horse’s back instead of resting on the spine. When the horse is comfortable, the horse moves smoother.
- Toe in iron: The toes lightly rest in the irons.
- Rotate tailbone: Next, rotate the tail bone forward as if drawing it between the thighs. This flattens the lower back.
- Position in motion: In the rider position, ask the horse to walk. In each walk step feel one hip slightly rotate forward with the horse’s movement and then the other.
- Bear down: While at a walk, add what Mary refers to as “bear down.” This engages the core and lowers the center of gravity for more stability in the saddle. Mary describes it as, “sucking in your stomach and pushing your guts against it.”
- Seat bones: Then become aware of the three seat bones and lower them evenly to the saddle.
- Breathing: Adding to bearing down and lowering the seat bones to the saddle, breath deep as if the lungs fill up the stomach.
- Resisting the push: Next, imagine someone pushing against your sternum as you resist the push. This further engages the core.
Another concept is to imagine someone pushing against your hands as you hold the reins. This concept helps you riding forward with the horse instead hold the horse back with the hands. - Awareness of sitting surface: Finally, become aware of the full sitting surface: the lowering of the core and seat bones closer to the saddle for stability, the knees and thighs lightly holding the rider’s body weight along the saddle.
Rider Position and its Effect on the Horse
While Mary teaches this rider position to those with non-gaited horses, I’ve found that this rider position has worked well with my naturally gaited horses. Each time I align my position, lower my core, and distribute my weight through my thighs, my horses immediately lift their back, wither and shoulder, and move more naturally forward without prompting on my part. And best of all, their gaits are smoother.
This riding position has shown me how my rider position directly affects my horse. When I am riding in alignment and correctly positioned, my horse need less fixing and my horses move more comfortably forward. Each time my old habits creep back, my horses let me know by dropping their back and getting tense which reminds me to reposition myself.
A Secure Rider Position
When comparing my former riding position to the one Mary taught me, Mary’s rider position is more stable and secure. I notice that the angle my knees and thighs have to the back of my seat offer more stability when compared to a straight leg. Plus, by lowering my center of gravity closer to the saddle while holding my knees and thighs lightly along the saddle provides more security than when my upper body grew tall. Each time I ride through an unexpected spook, Mary’s rider position keeps me in place which builds my confidence. When I have confidence, it is easier to be relaxed which helps my horse relax.
Yes, there is more than one way to ride a horse. After 25 years of riding one way, I’m sure glad that I gave Mary’s rider position a try. It has made me a more effective, aware and confident rider which has translated into becoming a more trusted leader to my horse.
Video: Naturally Gaited Flat walk and Canter
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