Saddle seat riding tips pdf

Determining saddle fit is important to the comfort and safety of horse and rider. But if you aspire to compete in this discipline, you need to determine the correct division for your horse. This is fine in reining where you are not judged on how you sit. You dont win if you are the fastest, you dont win if you jump the highest, and even if there is a pattern to do, theres also a rail work portion to figure out. Identify horse saddle types play the name the saddle parts. You can find one you like if you follow a few proven rules. Sitting aside dates back to antiquity and developed in european countries in the middle ages as a way for women in skirts to ride a horse in a modest fashion while also wearing fine clothing. Tired of hefting a 40pound saddle onto your horses back.

Become familiar with horses and their behavior and safe horsehandling practices. Jul 09, 2019 saddle seat equitation competitors also win points for stylebut in this discipline, the focus is more on the rider, including the hands, position in the saddle, attire, and the horses response to the riders use of aids. This will help you improve your seat and balance during the canter. There are three basic riding positions, with three corresponding seat types. Its split down the back to provide relief for your private parts. Instead of the constant lower leg contact favored in hunt seat and dressage, your calves should be slightly away from your horses sides. How to find a safe and connected position in the saddle. Again, the pressure should be even with no pinching. As a starting point, your saddle should be leveled, with the back and the front nose at the same height a flat saddle with a 0 angle. When you sit in a saddle, you should be sitting on your seat bones, and nothing else. The saddle, in the riding school and in the dental. I grew up riding arabians in saddle seat, which meant my feet were up close to the horses shoulders and my back was hollow. Three secrets to a secure seat the thinking equestrian.

Hunting and jumping saddles are built to position the rider for comfort and safety while traversing across obstacles. Dressage position 101 with shannon peters dressage today. Saddle seat breeds, particularly saddlebreds, are highly sensitive and require a sensitive leg. Saddle up safely horseback riding safety ridesafety pr rogram. The equivalent for arabians and saddlebreds is country english pleasure. Here are some tips to help you learn to maintain a secure seat at the trot.

Prepare your card to reflect the proper percentages of rail pattern work and be comfortable with the scoring system. A dressage saddle has straight flaps, and provides the rider with a closer leg contact essential for accurate and. Your crotch or tailbone should not be pressing down on the saddle. We asked professionals from the morgan, arabian and american saddlebred breeds to help decode the class lists. The pommel is the rounded, foremost part of the saddle and is in fact the edge of twist and seat. My long distance riding background long distance rider since 1997 finisher of the iron butt rally in 1999 11,271 miles in 11 days iron butt association certificate rides include. State 4h horse show rule book msu college of agriculture and. If you have questions about this or any other tack tip, please call us at 8006. You have to relax your leg muscles so that your grip is not pushing your seat out of the saddle while using your abdominal and back muscles to absorb the motion and to follow it. The horse breeds mainly used for this flashy style are typically the. All hunter seat equitation not to jump patterns must exit. Reverse and trot down the rail on the left diagonal. They are designed for riding hunters, jumpers, foxhunting, and the jumping phases of eventing. In general, you should have 4 between the front of your body and the swell of the saddle.

Rider preference for saddle size varies some choose a larger seat and other prefer a smaller seat. Everything we do with our bodies, voluntary or involuntary. The only thing thats really different in saddle seat is the leg position. The nuances of different saddle seat divisions may seem baffling to an outsider. To get an idea of the average western saddle seat size, most youth ride in a 12. Yes, you can narrow down the choices with indoor testing but to truly discover the best saddle for you requires taking it for a ride. Learning how to successfully ride 1,000 miles per day makes all other riding more pleasurable. But dont let the prospect of a saddle sore seat keep you from enjoying a nice long bike ride. Riding without stirrups improves your balance and promotes an. The most common saddle seat equitation mistakes and how to. There are literally hundreds of seats for hundreds of butts. While riding saddle seat, your shoulders, hips, and heels should be in a straight line. Regularly inspect riding equipment and replace anything worn or damaged. Sit bones width measurement and bike saddle selection.

The first step, is ensuring that youre on the right type of saddle for how you ride. Competitive longdistance rallies are a great sport. Finally, standing behind the horse, look at the seat to see if it is level and straight. Oct 22, 2019 consider riding without stirrups periodically. General safety tips ensure that the skill of the rider is matched to the horses temperament. The style developed into its modern form in the united states, and is also seen in canada and south africa. Saddle seat, however, is a different beast entirely. Do use a qualified saddle fitter from the society of master saddlers uk dont buy a saddle without trying it on the horse. It can be a simple matter of lightening your seat shifting some of your weight up and out of the saddle or going all the way into twopoint positionto encourage your horse to go forward. An english type hunting or forward seat saddle should be used for all english classes. In this book, horse refers to all equine, including ponies, mules and donkeys. Saddle up safely horseback riding safety ridesafety pr. This type of saddle has a variably deep seat, but forward cut flaps without large knee rolls and can accommodate the rider for basic jumping, hacking, hunting and dressage.

Brush, pick hooves, saddle and bridle, with assistance only. One that i have found teaches many disciplines including saddle seat, and it is very intriguing to me. Beard explains that this difference in position comes from the difference in horses used for saddle seat riding. One of the first saddle makers to make a comfort twist for womens saddles was albion. If they are, riding will be extraordinarily painful for you. Riding with an effective seat using your body weight and position in the saddle to communicate with your horseis not as mysterious as you might think.

Sitting the trot is a bit like trying to pat your head and rub your tummy at the same time. Saddle seat is a style of horse riding within the category of english riding that is designed to show off the high action of certain horse breeds. New england 4h horse show rules unh cooperative extension. Not every butt is the same, so when choosing a bike or the seat to ride on it, shop around for the proper fit. This should give you an idea about the comfort level you are looking for. By following them, you will develop the perfect seat for sitting the trot, and cantering with ease and confidence. When considering a saddle you need to fit your horse, yourself and also consider the purpose of the saddle.

Finally, saddleseat saddles are designed to allow the rider control and enjoyment of a spirited horse with fancy gaits. Why it hurts to sit in your dressage saddle the thinking. I bought one of their saddles, and the difference was spectacular. To show a horse well, he should show himself to the bes. This guidebook is not just a manual for utilizing ingramspark but also a crash. Closed group for professional riding instructors committed to promoting saddle seat. Know your pattern and visualize it in the arena to know how it will play. Aug 07, 2009 racing saddles are very small and light weight. Many casual spectators watching a truly good saddle seat performance may think the horse is about to burst with excitement, but the welltrained saddle seat horse is actually very responsive and comfortable to ride, like a finely tuned sports car. No cones or markers are to be used in pattern work for saddle seat classes. The primary responsibility for the safety of the exhibitor rests with. The saddle is only sold at stagecoach west but they can ship anywhere. The first was the plantation tradition of the american south, where smoothmoving, highstepping horses were used by plantation owners and overseers to travel across the fields.

Saddle seat professional riding instructors has 817 members. The visible differences between english saddles are somewhat easier to detect. Form and function of a riding saddle the saddle chair is based on a riding saddle and many of its qualities. There are also learn to ride programs currently under development for the disciplines of saddle seat. Then the skirts are carefully placed, making sure they are the same on both sides. If you buy a saddle from them, they will allow you to take it home and ride in it, and if it doesnt fit correctly, you can mail it back for a refund. After the ground seat has been shaped and properly dried, it is then sanded to ensure a smooth finish.

Saddles for dressage are designed for close consistent contact. A guide to saddleseat hurricane farm sim horse club. To a much lesser extent, it is ridden with american action horse breeds in europe and australia. These horses were used to survey and inspect their expansive plantations. If this is an issue you have, try riding at a walk or trot without your legs in the stirrups. This starting point puts the feet firmly on the floor, contributing to the stability of the whole body. Any horse that is suitable for saddle seat and is capable of. Saddle seat is a style of horseback riding within the category of english riding that is designed to show off the high trotting action of certain breeds of horses. For racing, popular in the gulf region, this same saddle is used with a lighter weight shadad made of fabric, and a split orda passes both in front of, and behind, the camels sternal callosity to keep the saddle from slipping backward wahiba, 2002. Riding this type of bicycle you maintain a fast pedal rate and appreciate less width in the nose so it wont interfere with your thighs.

The first thing youll want to do to improve your horseback riding seat. An easy thing to remember for new spectators is that there should be a straight line from the competitors shoulders, down to their hips, down to the back of their heels. Next time you ride, you can do this exercise in the saddle and feel the effect on your position and the response of your horse. This is the first step to find a balanced and aligned seat, no matter what stage youre at on your riding journey. If youre used to other types of english saddles and disciplines like dressage or jumping, its important to remember the tack and rider position are quite different for saddle seat.

There are so many different divisions to figure out. Do aim to fit a new saddle when your horse is in a shape and condition which it is likely. Coast to coast in 36 hours san diego, ca to jacksonville, fl. Mar 20, 2017 then feel under the points, all the way down to the tips. Long distance riding is often required to get to interesting and beautiful places that you would otherwise never experience on a motorcycle. Used for both riding and packing, loads are carried on the south arabian saddle in bags. For example, some reining saddles will place your leg forward of your hips. Saddleseat equitation exhibitors must be between the ages 918 as of. Saddle sores are painful areas of the skin that develop when bacteria infects surface abrasions caused by. Depending on your riding style tilt your saddle downward or upward. English saddleseat type horse may be shown in a bridle if over age 2. The arena gate must be closed during railwork and patterns. Some saddles ride best with a little extra padding under the left seat, so that side may appear very slightly elevated. All it takes is a little skill, a few tools and maybe some elbow grease.

The back of the saddle should not extend too far beyond the riders seat, nor should the rider be so far back as to be falling beyond the edge of the saddle. The saddleseat method of riding developed from plantation owners needing a saddle and manner of riding that was suited to the type of horses they were breeding. This type of saddle has a forward flap, often with supportive knee rolls, and a low pommel so the saddle does not interfere with the riders position over jumps. The property owners wanted mounts with comfortable gaits, speed, stamina, beauty and style. Reining seat is elimination showmanship is not elimination 11.

Jumping saddles are also referred to as close contact or forward seat saddles. The 4h horse project, riding and showing osu extension catalog. I have been riding since i was 9, and was riding huntseat. Do make sure the fitting includes ridden exercise, because horses may change shape as they work. Pro riding positionvery forward, pedaling very fastweight supported by seat, bars and pedalsa narrow, lightly padded seat works best. Almost every seat is going to hurt you for a few days or miles and then you will permanently forget it if you keep riding.

Identify horse saddle types play the name the saddle parts game. Many young riders have issues gripping with the legs during the canter. Patterns are not permitted in walktrot or walkjog equitation. Fitting the sidesaddle expert advice on horse care and. Discipline of riding plays a role in the size of a saddle. Eventing is the most versatile of the english riding disciplines. Saddle seat, hunter seat not to jump, and western horsemanship classes. Ride in half seat at the canter on the flat and over a single. In saddle seat equitation classes, riders should convey the impression of effective and easy control. Riders must wear neat, clean, appropriate saddleseat attire including a coat, tie, collared. Saddle seat pants, jodhpur boots, shirt, tie, vest, derby, soft hat or helmet for. I have mostly ridden stock horses as lesson horses so i really struggle with equitation. Thats rightour position and seat in the saddle are our main sources of communication with the horse. I cant seem to keep my knee tight and my lower leg just slips foward and my toes point.

You could quickly download this all about riding side saddle. Weve all heard an age group championship pattern called out like this. I would love to try it, but i really dont want to hurt the horse. I also did exercises to flatten the arch in my back. The saddle changer is an amazing tool but riding a saddle for 30 seconds is not the same as an experiencing it for 2 hours. At the walk, separate your hands so they are about 1. The height of the saddle is also important in relation to the width to prevent from an end position in the hip joint. The saddle, in the riding school and in the dental practice. Nov 19, 2014 a step by step look at how to replace a padded seat on a western saddle. Be aware of the position of the lineup compared to your pattern. Saddle seat riding began as a distinct style within the broader group of english riding disciplines developed in the united states from two sources. Upright riding positionsitting completely upright, pedaling slowlyall your weight directly on the seat a wide, cushioned seat. In the morgan world, classic pleasure is the name of the division for saddle seat horses with exceptional manners and a willing disposition. Feb 28, 2021 the saddle angle is the easiest problem to fix.

For example, saddle seat saddles do not have any knee pads. I started riding saddleseat about 1 12 to 2 years ago. Although western saddles may look very similar there are many subtle differences between the saddles used for working cattle, barrel racing, reining, pleasure riding and the showing. And my trainers finally stopped needing to correct my seat position. Create a checklist at the beginning of each ride loosen your hips, legs and lower back at the start of your ride be aware of your posture throughout the day.

A secure seat requires that you sit lightly on your seat bones, lightly enough that your pelvis is free to flex and roll with your horses movement. Your crotch and pubic bone should not be in strong contact with the saddle. Trot down the rail showing two changes of diagonal, beginning on the right diagonal. Sit bones width measurement and bike saddle selection bikefit. No matter what your riding skill level, you can improve your riding and your horses performance by improving your seat. The rider should not be sliding off the back of the saddle nor should there be excessive space in the seat behind the riders back. Another seat design that should be taken into consideration is the split seat. Position seat the line of the riders back should be straight and perpendicular to the saddle. The western horses painfree back and saddle fit bookjoyce harman. Ensure the horses tack fits well and is suited for the type of riding being done. In these divisions, horses are judged first and foremost on their manners and obedience. Sidesaddle riding is a form of equestrianism that uses a type of saddle which allows a rider usually female to sit aside rather than astride an equine. The horse breeds mainly used for this flashy style are typically the showy morgan horse, and the high stepping american saddlebred. Irons should be placed under ball of foot not toe nor home with even pressure on entire width of sole and center of iron.