These questions have been asked several times this month.

To push a horse… with the seat? With the legs?
One can often observe so much useless and disgraceful gesticulating that disturbs the horse: movements of the hips, of the upper body, harsh leg actions, etc.

The seat is the way one sits and spreads his/her weight in the saddle to absorb, follow and control the movement and the balance of the horse. Any shift of weight in the seat modifies the center of gravity of the horse/rider unit. It is therefore possible to change the posture, gait and movement of the horse using the seat. The seat is the most important aid of the rider and primes over all the other aids. The hand and leg aids can only be correct if the seat acts with finesse and good timing.

Through the elasticity of the lower back that follows (and absorbs) the movement of the horse, the seat allows the rider to transmit his directions to the horse. Therefore, the seat can skillfully and delicately slow down or "push" a horse.

To push a horse forward means putting him in a forward motion, change gait (to push in the trot, in the canter), engage the hindquarters; "sit" the horse… (lowering the haunches).

The seat must not move around in the saddle, no "waxing" the saddle… but rather lighten or intensify in different ways to obtain the required gait or posture.

To increase the weight in the back of the saddle (I am NOT saying to move back in the saddle) results in the flexion of the horse's joints and the lowering of the haunches. The horse becomes more collected, more "seated", and the forehand is raised.

The rider, while keeping a straight upper body, sits deeper in the saddle. He/she adds weight to the seat by going deeper into the saddle, by flattening the buttocks, pushing the belt line forward, the belly button toward the horse's ears and slightly arch the lower back. Be careful not to arch the lower back too much and not to lean back with the entire upper body.
These actions of the lower back will "sit" the horse and shorten the gait.

To lighten the seat will cause the gaits to extend. The horse can spring off his hind legs and carry himself forward with vigor. The gesture is extended.
The rider lightens his seat by straightening or even somewhat bending his lower back and by slightly tightening his buttocks.
Therefore the rider has to be flexible and linked to the horse in his saddle. The lower back and kidney area's weight is landing on the seat, and the seat spreads it out, pushes and dominates the horse. The upper body is essential: it allows to shift the weight in the seat.

To get a deeper seat implies a greater opening of the thigh/upper body angle. The rider is sitting tall and relaxed, shoulders low.

If the rider lacks self confidence, is tense and preoccupied, it will be difficult to sit deep in the saddle and to keep a soft and flexible seat that moves in union with the horse.

The leg action is low and relaxed, and reinforces the actions of the lower back and seat. A leg action alone is not much help. A hand action only channels.

The rider's seat must not move more or less than the horse's back.
Timing, correctness and dosage of the seat and leg actions allow to obtain the desired amount of impulsion.

The more you do, the less it works.
The less you do, the more it works.

Act little and "a propos", with your seat and everything else.

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