10/11/2022
Once you have established an independent seat β strong core muscles, a stable frame and the ability to move each part of your body independently β you can start thinking more about what is needed to ensure you can give the most precise leg aids, with the correct degree of pressure in exactly the right place.
We have talked before about the need to remain relaxed as tension in any part of your body will prevent you from communicating as clearly as possible with your horse. And even once you have perfected your own position and achieved a balanced seat, it may take time for your horse to accommodate itself to your new way of riding β a horse that likes to please will, if you ride it regularly, have tried to understand what you are asking even if your aids have not been completely accurate or correct.
In order for your horse to learn what you expect from it, you will need to be consistent with your leg aids, both the position and pressure you apply β and, as with so much in riding, it may require some work from you to develop the necessary muscles to achieve the desired results, especially when asking for more advanced lateral movements.
The application of leg aids will vary depending on the pace. In walk, you should be using each leg alternately, in alignment with the horseβs movement. In rising trot, you will be squeezing with both legs simultaneously each time you sit and releasing as you rise, so applying pressure only every other stride β you should make sure you keep a forward momentum in sync with the horseβs movement, so that you use your knees as a pivot, as if you were kneeling down and up rather than rising vertically, which would destabilise you. In sitting trot, however, you can encourage the horse forward with every stride, while in canter, a three-beat pace, you should be squeezing with both calves as the horseβs back rises and then releasing as its back flattens. In all paces, you should be following the movement of your horse. " - equicise