Getting your own pony should come with sufficient reason—you must either want her for horse riding or for sport or you see horseback maneuvers as an art form, or some other reason along those lines. No reason can be decidedly wrong, it is simply that the reason for your getting horses would then affect how you go about owning one. A horse that’s suitable for your motivation is essential: an occasional ride would entail an aged, well-broke pony; a challenging equestrian sport will need a talented competitive steed; and those who wish to see moving, stylish art would need horses talented enough for dressage.

In relation to but irrespective of your reason or motivation behind being an equestrian is the requirement to find out how to relax, balance, and flow with the movements of your pony. This is not solely for the potency with which training is done and activities performed, but also for the comfort and health of the horse involved. And an important key element in achieving balance, relaxation, and a flowing connection between pony and rider, is the rider’s seat. The more trained and educated your seat is, the better you become at handling your horse and her reactions and actions.

Without a seat that works independently from your legs and arms, not to mention your voice, you will not be able to adequately control your equine partner. You can enforce cues through vocal commands, and gait speed thru your arm and leg movements, but ultimately the quality of the horseback experience would be lackluster. And even the leisurely rider anticipating weekend pony riding activities can benefit immensely from a productive seat. The first step, balance, is not got thru forcible means. First, you find your centre. As long as you know and control your center, balance can become as familiar as 2nd nature. And together with finding balance, you gain a level of relaxation that would enable you to explore what body movements, regardless of how apparently insubstantial, can influence your pony to a point that it can become a natural and effortless command.

As an example, hold your breath and your body would naturally clam up—so too would your horse. In extraordinary cases when you clench your jaw you’ll find your pony will clench hers too. With steady flowing harmony, as is necessary in dressage but is similarly beneficial in even straightforward pony riding, you’ll find that your horse will mirror your actions and bodily motions.

In being able to find your balance and relax on horseback your seat will start to naturally follow the motions of your pony. When your seat and your horse move as one, you are better equipped to control your partner’s movements thru your seat. The point when this happens is eye-opening: an easy change in position or even change in energy can tell your pony to slow down or speed up. But this is only the beginning of a long road in using your seat as a important tool in horse riding and sport.

Horses are Heather Toms’ passion and she enjoys sharing her extensive knowledge through her 100’s of articles with other horse lovers… like all things about horse rugs.