The Riders Position on the Flat
Figure 8
(Ricca-Smith, 2013)
(Ricca-Smith, 2013)
Print, P (2011) explains that ‘A correct position requires the rider to sit in the best balance possible to allow the horse to perform the work and movements required without undue stress or strain’.
The rider should sit deep within the saddle, balancing on both seat bones, with their legs hanging down loosely below (Hagen, 2004). All riders should stay in the correct position so that the horse can maintain its own balance (Kang, 2010). The balls of the feet should rest on the stirrup, when the feet are out of the stirrups they should be in line with the ankle bone (Linington-Payne, 2012). The rider’s calf should lie flat against the horse’s body allowing the heel to be the lowest point of the position. The upper body should be upright and relaxed with the head facing forwards (Hagen, 2004). The skull can weigh as much as 6.3kg therefore riders must look straight ahead, riders that look down to one side will alter their overall balance (Print, 2011). Elbows should be pulled in towards the rider’s side. The hands should close around the reins with the thump on top; the hands should be as far apart as the rider’s hips. A straight line should form from the elbow to the hands down to the horse’s mouth (Hagen, 2004). A consistent contact should be maintained during all exercises (Linington-Payne 2012)
Connecting the horse and rider physically, besides the rein and legs especially the rider’s pelvis plays a key role for the communication with the horse. (Münz, 2014)
The rider should sit deep within the saddle, balancing on both seat bones, with their legs hanging down loosely below (Hagen, 2004). All riders should stay in the correct position so that the horse can maintain its own balance (Kang, 2010). The balls of the feet should rest on the stirrup, when the feet are out of the stirrups they should be in line with the ankle bone (Linington-Payne, 2012). The rider’s calf should lie flat against the horse’s body allowing the heel to be the lowest point of the position. The upper body should be upright and relaxed with the head facing forwards (Hagen, 2004). The skull can weigh as much as 6.3kg therefore riders must look straight ahead, riders that look down to one side will alter their overall balance (Print, 2011). Elbows should be pulled in towards the rider’s side. The hands should close around the reins with the thump on top; the hands should be as far apart as the rider’s hips. A straight line should form from the elbow to the hands down to the horse’s mouth (Hagen, 2004). A consistent contact should be maintained during all exercises (Linington-Payne 2012)
Connecting the horse and rider physically, besides the rein and legs especially the rider’s pelvis plays a key role for the communication with the horse. (Münz, 2014)
Figure 9
(Sleigh, 2014)
(Sleigh, 2014)