Conference noted::equitation

    STAY IN THE SEAT!  Cannot reinforce that enough.  For an
    excellent reference read Centered Riding by Sally Swift or 
    catch a clinic by her.  Even if your not riding dressage this is
    an excellent solid basis for other seats.
    
    -Marianne-
    

    They may be saying the same thing in different ways, too.  Try 
    looking at two books:
    
      The Anatomy of Riding (full info in note 10) is really good at
    explaining what muscles are used and how your pelvis should be 
    positioned.  The Dressage Formula (also mentioned in note 10) has
    x-ray pictures of the author sitting on his crotch, sitting correctly,
    and sitting too much on his seat.  This are really great for trying
    to figure out where you should be.
    
    						Jan    

Are we talking English or Western?  I, myself, ride English and have
    been complimented on my seat.  This is the way I do it.  Just like
    they tell you in junior horsey school, you just imagine a string
    pulling you from the back of your cap, down your spine, right through
    your be-hind to your heels.  This creates a medium between sitting
    on your seat or your crotch.  I have tried both, you can't really
    do one or the other, I feel out of balance.  It's got to be a good
    mix.  Not your seat, not your crotch, but the back of your thighs.

    I need another hint on riding.  I was taught in the forward seat
    style, and my only good saddle is a Stuebbins (sp?) that I've had
    for years.  Now I'm learning a dressage seat, and I've never learned
    dressage  (I rode forward seat for years), but I want to keep at the 
    learning for dressage.
    
    The problem is I keep tilting forward at the hips.  I try to really
    straighten up, but I feel awkward.  Seems like I get my shoulders back
    and then the legs go or vice versa.  Is riding in a forward seat
    saddle the main problem?  I hope not, because I can't afford to get
    another saddle right now, besides my Stuebbin is very comfortable.
    
    Is forward seat still taught or did it go out with the dinosaurs?  
    
    How can I stop tilting at the hips?
    
    Thanks,
    
    Tina

    Part of the problem is the saddle. A forward set saddle is built
    to tip you forward and the stirrip bars are placed farther forward
    than in a dressage saddle.
    
    But despite the saddle, you can learn to sit up straighter.
    
    First check the lenth of the stirrups - they should be longer than
    your normal flat length. If they are too short, it'll contribute
    to leaning forward.  Next check your weight distribution.  For dressage
    your weight is more in your seat than in your stirrups - and your
    heels are only slightly down. In other words, your lower body is
    a lot more relaxed than in forward seat.
    
    For your upper body, try visualizing balancing your torso over
    your seat.  Another visualization technique is to imagine you have
    a string attached to the top of your hat, pulling gently straight up.
    You also need to be sure to keep your chest elevated and you stomach
    muscles somewhat more tense than in forward seat.
    
    One more thing that might help - make sure the muscle on the front
    of your thigh is streched - i.e. your leg stretches easily backward.
    A tight thigh will tip you forward, too.
    
    Keep practicing - it takes time to change your riding this drastically.
    
    -maureen
    

    One of the things that helped me to sit straighter in the saddle is
    riding bareback. First, you don't have any stirrups to rely on - just
    your balance. Secondly, I found that my balance is best when sitting
    straight rather than a forward seat. I found I was sitting down deeper
    on Jaspers back.
    
    I really needed to sit straighter at the canter rather than a forward
    seat. I've been teaching Jasper to counter canter so I need to support
    him around the corner by having my weight on his back rather than his
    withers.
    
    			Cindy
    

    A good book to look at is by Sally Swift. I a previous reply the
    writer mentions a string attached to the top of your hat, and that
    is a simular pricapal that Sally uses.
    
    I ride stock seat which is simular in seat to dressage. I would
    also suggest riding alot without your stirrups or as noted bareback.
    Riding without your stirrups will lengthen your leg and deepen your
    seat and remembering the invisable string pulling you straight up
    that will help you to sit tall and straight in your saddle.
    
    I have the reverse problem the few times I ride hunt seat I sit
    straight up and feel like i am falling forward when I have taken
    the occational english lesson.
    
    You will get the hang of it with time and practice.
    
    Good luck,
    
    terry

    Thank you everybody!  I'm going to try to relax more and not try
    to push my heels down so hard.  I realize now that I was originally
    taught a version of the "military style" also.  All the suggestions are
    really good, and I'm going to put them into practice at my next lesson.  
    I also think I want to practice on a different horse (re: my other
    note), and do walk/trot for a while instead of cantering since I'm so
    out of shape.
    
    Tina

    The book by Sally Swift is called "Centered Riding" Great book.
    
    terry

    
    I am a real greenie, but after riding some last weekend, I became
    suspect of my seat.  I knew that it needed improving, but I didn't know
    how drastically.  After searching through the conference here, I ran
    upon .-1.  Seems like it is also mentioned in another note.
    
    I found the vidio tapes !   She has two tapes out now.  One on walking
    and trotting and the other on the canter.  So far I've watched the
    first one 3 times and it keeps getting better.  I started applying some
    of the suggestions mentioned in the book at my lesson last night and
    right away realized a benefit from leaning forward to much when
    stopping.
    
    I recommend her method highly.  I think it's really neat !
    
    Thanks for all the good suggestions.  Don't 'cha just love notes !
    
    Jim