normally l have a really good seat. i've started taking horsemanship lessons lately and i've been having trouble with my seat for no reason. the horses that i've been riding like to try to take off at a fast trot and lope when l try to get them into those gaits so obviously its bouncy..but my instructor thinks that l just have a bad seat and has been working with me on it even though on my friend is horses l have a very good seat. how do l either get my seat better on the fast trotters or tell my instructor that l really do have a good seat and that thats not what l need to work on, without being rude and seeming over confident?

Exercises off the horse can help improve ur posture & strength. I’ve found remarkable success with core training. This is a strengthening of the muscles deep in ur abdomen, the “center” of ur body. The best core training plan is an exercise program known as Pilates (puh-lah-tees). You can work out to a video/DVD or with a certified Pilates instructor. l guarantee u that ur posture will improve after only a few weeks of Pilates training.

Riding from ur center means just that – that ur own center, ur core muscles, be the basis for ur balance. A straight back & rigid head cannot take the place of a properly aligned center of balance.

Watch u balance as u walk. Are u hunched, do u walk with ur pelvis properly aligned under you? The things we do off the horse often reflect how we sit onboard the saddle.

How r u carrying ur weight? You’d be surprised if u realized most of us carry our weight on our toes & not our heels. It is must easier to balance with ur weight on ur heels (just like it’ll be easier to balance in ur saddle with ur heels down).

If u ride a trolley, bus, train, or even sail on a boat, test ur balance by standing with no hand support: Just u & ur balance. As the vehicle moves beneath you, try shifting ur weight back slightly onto ur heels. Much easier to balance, no? Were u standing with ur weight primarily on ur toes at first?

Next, try picturing ur abdomen & hips as ur solid center of gravity. The horse’s center of gravity is just behind its withers. Keep ur center just slightly behind his & move with him by keeping ur pelvis tucked under u but flexible to his movements.

Moving in unison with the horse, being as one unit, is crucial to improving ur riding. A slight weight shift from ur center, gentle leg pressure & focus from ur eyes on the next target should be all that is needed to communicate ur directional changes. Try it & see if ur neck reining is much lighter in touch now that u r riding from ur center.

One note of caution. Leaning forward on ur horse when riding can be dangerous. If ur center is out over his withers & he suddenly stops, where will u go? Right onto his head or even over his head. If he stops & rears suddenly & ur weight is too far backward, u will go right off the back. Therefore, centered riding is essential to practice. Think – what would happen if he moved suddenly left, right, up or down? If u r riding with ur center of gravity firmly steadying u at all times, u will be prepared for any situation.

l think you should listen to your instructor. He/she has been doing this longer than you. Plus a good test if you actually do have a good seat is riding hard to handle, bouncy horses. A smooth horse will show you off. A great horseman will show the horse off no matter how bouncy it is.
A good way to improve your seat is to work without stirrups or bareback. Practice makes perfect. A smooth horse will only improve your seat so much.