In horse riding, learning speed control with your seat is like starting a silent conversation where every move counts. It’s more than just a skill; it’s turning into an artist who dances with their horse. Imagine you’re both in a dance, moving together in perfect sync. This guide is all about that dance. It’s here to help riders get better at talking to their horses without words, focusing on managing their speed by making small, meaningful changes in how they sit and move.
Imagine yourself in the saddle, poised and ready, your horse beneath you, attuned to your every intention. This is the moment of connection, where humans and horses unite in purpose and movement. Controlling your horse’s speed with your seat isn’t just about faster or slower; it’s about the precision of your ask, the clarity of your intent, and the subtlety of your cues.
Understanding the Dance
Riding is a dance, and like any dance, it requires synchronization, understanding, and a deep connection between the partners. You lead, and your horse follows, but this following isn’t blind—it’s a response to clear, respectful commands. Your seat, the core of your riding position, is a powerful tool. It communicates your desires for speed, direction, and rhythm directly to your horse, all without a word.
Speed Control with Your Seat – Asking for a Faster Trot
Asking for a faster trot begins with your seat. You accelerate your body’s rhythm, subtly shifting forward, engaging your core, and using your hips to push the saddle—and thus, your horse—forward. It’s not about force; it’s about leading the dance, inviting your horse to match your increased tempo. Your legs, while they play a role, are not the primary drivers here; they guide and support, but it’s your seat that controls the tempo.
Transitioning to a Lope
You want to transition from a trot to a lope. You might think the cue is merely putting your leg back, but it’s more nuanced. Yes, your leg moves back, asking the horse’s hip to engage in a particular way, but it’s your body’s overall rhythm that tells the horse what this engagement means. Does it mean to lope, or simply to adjust the trot’s pace? Your seat, through its tempo and position, provides the answer.
Controlling Speed with Your Body
Speed control is about how fast or slow you ride, dictating the pace with the cadence of your own body. If you wish to slow down, your body’s movements become more deliberate, and slower, and you might find yourself slightly behind the movement, encouraging your horse to decelerate to match your pace. To speed up, ride ahead of the movement, your body’s rhythm a half-step ahead, encouraging your horse to catch up to your rhythm.
The Significance of Straightness
A straight line is more than just a direction—it’s a statement of intention, balance, and focus. When asking your horse to maintain straightness, you’re not merely looking for a physical alignment but a mental one as well. Your horse’s attention should be as straight as his path, with no wandering shoulders or drifting focus. This straightness is crucial for precision and accountability for both rider and horse. Rider and horse moving in a straight line from one point to another, together.
The Role of Reinforcement
Sometimes, despite our best efforts with our seat, our horse might not immediately respond. In such cases, a gentle ‘tick’ with your voice or a subtle adjustment with the reins might be necessary. This isn’t a contradiction of using your seat for control but rather a supporting part of the conversation, a clarification of your ask. It’s a way to remind your horse of the importance of responsiveness, setting the stage for a return to seat-based cues. It is vitally important that the communication from your seat always comes before any other supporting cue.
Teaching Accountability
A key aspect of training is teaching your horse to take accountability for his part in the dance. This means not always holding them up in position but allowing them the space to find their balance and straightness, giving them slack after they’ve achieved the desired position. This fosters independence and confidence in the horse, qualities essential for a horse that will be shown by non-pro riders who need to focus on their part of the performance.
Conclusion: The Art of Communication
Speed control with your seat is a dialogue, a way to communicate your desires and intentions through the language of movement. It’s about being so in tune with your horse that your requests become seamless, almost instinctual responses rather than forced actions. Whether you’re asking for a faster trot, transitioning to a lope, or seeking that perfect line of straightness, remember that at the heart of this dance is a bond built on trust, respect, and mutual understanding. So, embrace the journey of learning this art, for in doing so, you not only become a better rider but also deepen the connection with your equine partner.
The journey in equine partnership is a path of continual learning and growth, and adopting this proactive approach will pave the way for a rewarding and fulfilling experience with your equine companion. If you need professional help with your horse, you might consider an Equestrian Virtual Lesson. This is a great way to get a private lesson from Tim Anderson. My horse training journey has brought me from winning world titles to now trying to make every horse the best they can be and to help you improve your equestrian knowledge.