Weight aids..

We need to be able to lift and lower each seat bone, also to be able to move one hip slightly in front of the other without it affecting our rib cage. This is why we need to strengthen our glute medius and develop good control of each side of our pelvis.

In lateral work our inside leg needs to stay at the girth and our outside leg needs to stay back. Our shoulders need to mirror that of the horse and our head should be looking the same way as the horse. Our weight should be in the direction we want the horse to move without stiffening and blocking his movement. Being able to do all this is hard for us but it makes sense to the horse and when you get it right lateral work will start to feel effortless. THIS is why our exercises off the horse are so helpful. Through our rider specific exercises we learn to lift and lower each hip individually without it affecting our shoulders and rib cage. We strengthen, straighten and mobilise our pelvis so we can help our horse discreetly not hinder him. If we can do this on one leg and stay in balance then we should be able to do it in the saddle without balancing on the reins. Riding is hard and there are always a million things to think about but if we have good strength, straightness and balance of our seat it’s one less thing!