The Seat

The Seat

by Antonio Topete Diaz

Western, English, Dressage, Australian, Stock, Mexican, Spanish, Portuguese, Maremano, Gaucho etc. etc. These are just some of the riding saddles that are most popularly used today. But, does it really matter what kind of saddle is used for the training of a horse? And more importantly, does the kind of saddle matter in the ability of the rider to ride? The answer, is both yes and no. Why do I say this? Well, for the inexperienced, the kind of saddle does give the rider a sort of comfort and mental assurance that he/she will not fall off the horse. For the rider that has been riding correctly for some time, feeling safe on a horse's back will depend very little on the kind of saddle being used. On the other hand, a more comfortable saddle for the horse and for the rider will always make horseback riding a more pleasant experience. Some saddles that have knee rolls or something like it, gives the rider a sense of feel that if the horse takes off running or bucking, the saddle will keep the rider in place. For training, the saddle will depend on the kind of training that the horse will be put under, or on the kind of work that will be expected of the horse.

When we Speak of the seat, it does not mean we are talking about the seat of the saddle, but of the seat of the rider. The seat of the rider plays an important role in riding and in training horses. The rider that develops a strong seat, also known as an independent seat will be more apt to train a horse or to ride a schooled horse. For this reason at Spanish Riding School, the riding masters first teach their pupils how to develop a strong seat, and nothing else, the same was true at the Centaur Institute of Classical Equine Studies (CICES). This is done with a gentle horse on the lunge line under the eye of an instructor/s to assure that posture, relaxation and correctness are developed. Only in this way can the student develop the ability to use body weight, legs, and hands or seat,legs, and hands with greater ability.

The horse, even when young or green, will be able to move more relaxed and freely under a rider who does not depend on a death grip of his legs or of the reins to stay in the saddle. As the rider advances in his/her riding education, he/she will feel more relaxed and comforatable riding a horse in what ever discipline they are studying. As the rider gets more comfortable the horse too will become better schooled, given that it is prepared carefully and diligently. In time the rider will learn how to use his/her seat to turn, stop, reinback, and collect his/her horse. Only thru the proper use of seat, legs and hands can the rider ever accomplish high levels of horsemanship regardless of the riding sport in question.

"It takes time, riding takes a long long time." -Walter A. Zettl

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