Mastering Rider Position: The Foundation of Effective Riding

Hello riders!

When we talk about rider position, we’re not just discussing how you sit in the saddle—it’s about alignment, balance, and how your body interacts with the horse’s movement. Your position directly affects your ability to give clear aids, maintain stability, and ride in harmony with your horse.

Why Rider Position Matters

Your biomechanics—how your body moves in relation to the horse—and your proprioception—your awareness of your own body position—are key factors in becoming an effective rider. A correct position enables:

✅ Balance – Staying aligned over the horse’s centre of gravity.
✅ Effectiveness – Delivering aids without disrupting the horse’s rhythm.
✅ Security – A seat that keeps you stable, even when your horse throws in an unexpected move.

If your position is off, it can lead to tension, instability, and even unbalancing your horse. A misaligned seat affects everything from your ability to give subtle aids to the horse’s natural movement.

Achieving an Effective Seat

A proper riding position starts with alignment:

✔️ A vertical line from your ear, shoulder, hip, and heel.
✔️ Even weight distribution over your seat bones.
✔️ Soft, following hands – ‘stillness’ comes from a balanced, mobile seat, not stiff arms.
✔️ Leg contact – light but supportive, with a relaxed knee and heel down (naturally, not forced).

Like any sport—whether it’s golf, skiing, or gymnastics—your ability to move correctly starts from an effective starting position. The better your foundation, the more seamlessly you can work with your horse.

Does Your Saddle Work for You?

We often focus on saddle fit for the horse, but what about the rider? A saddle that doesn’t suit your body can make maintaining balance and alignment difficult. Consider:

🔹 Seat shape & balance – Does it support your natural position?
🔹 Saddle twist – If too wide, it may force your legs into an ineffective angle.
🔹 Stirrup bar placement – Does it allow you to keep your leg in the correct position?

Your saddle should act as a bridge between you and your horse, not just a place to sit. A well-fitted saddle for both horse and rider enhances your ability to ride effectively.

Your Homework: Assess Your Position

📹 Film yourself riding – Are you aligned and balanced?
📸 Take photos – Compare your position to top riders with similar body types.
👩‍🏫 Ask your coach – Are there areas where your position could be improved?

Riders should be relentless in their pursuit of a balanced, effective position. Otherwise, you’ll spend time fixing symptoms rather than addressing the root cause.

Take the time to assess and refine your position—it will make all the difference in your riding!

For more on this topic, check out my High-Performance Equestrian podcast, Episode 10 on your favourite podcast app.

And if you’re ready to start training for superior alignment and balance in the saddle, join my rider fitness programs here, and enjoy the feeling of an amazing neutral position from which to move and apply aids 

Happy Riding,

Dr Fi x