Believe it or not, the way that you sit in the saddle and where you place your weight can have a big effect on your horse. The main function of your seat is to follow and absorb the motion of your horse but where you place your weight in the saddle can have a big effect on your horse.

In this week’s video we give a bit more info on weight placement, why it’s important, and what it means when your weight is in different parts of the saddle.

Here’s a really common example of how your seat can negatively affect your horse – and I see this a lot! Lets say you’re cantering, you feel your horse get tense and speed up, you lean forward, lighten your seat, and pull. Your horse will more than likely get worried and start tensing more and go faster.

If you feel your horse gets tense, you should place your weight onto your horse sit back into the saddle, make yourself heavier and reassure your horse with your seat – do not abandon them. Believe it or not horses get confidence from your seat!

Another reason your weight aids are important is that in dressage, we want our horses to carry more weight behind, so we should consciously think about sitting a little more back onto the horse’s hind end to encourage them to bring their legs under them to bear the weight more behind.

Downward transitions are another situation where people regularly tip forward when they should be sitting back and helping their horse to stay engaged.

Have a look at this video and let me know if you find it helpful!