20 Oct Improve your hip rotation to improve your riding.
Why is hip internal rotation so important?
Because it helps you stabilise your legs, keeping them quiet and in a neutral position. This means your horse can feel your leg aids clearly when you do use them — rather than being dulled by constant pressure or movement.
Internal hip rotation also plays a big role in helping you balance, straighten, and frame your horse’s ribcage. If you lack strength or control with hip rotation, you might find yourself gripping with your knees instead of rotating from the hip joint to try and get your legs to be in the right place. You shouldn’t feel like you’re gripping with the knees.
Healthy, mobile hips don’t just happen — they need regular movement to stay that way. Think of it like oiling a hinge: if you don’t use it, it stiffens up. Over time, this can affect both your comfort and your ability to ride with feel and precision.
So keep those hips moving!
Do you sit straight, do you have one hip that’s tighter than the other, do you feel unequal seat bones in the saddle? Do you struggle with back pain only on one side of your lower back?
Chances are that you have one hip that’s stiffer than the other. This morning, I’ve uploaded a super useful exercise that will give you immediate results in your hip mobility and equalness! It’s intense and will get deep into those hips so go gently on the first day!
You can find it in the Mobility Minis section and the Crooked Seat section on my program for riders.