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Discussion on Riding with a strong seat?
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Member:
Kstud
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Posted on Tuesday, Sep 19, 2006 - 7:24 pm:
Hi all, Here is one for Christos. I am reading a book about dressage training by a german instructor and I cannot quite figure out one thing. When talking about getting a horse to accept contact and ride on the bit he talks about the rein contact, no problem there, but then he says to change your seat from a normal position to a "strong riding seat". I am confused as to what exactly you do to get that. Normally I sit with a deep quiet seat but going with the movement of the horse. To take up a contact I would pick up the reins until I have an elastic contact and then ask the horse to move his hindlegs under him by using a bit of leg and then when he softens to the bit I maintain a contact but "allow" a bit more. I do not drive or push with my seat and I am not sure that I want to either. Of course that may not be what is meant, anyone any ideas?
Catherine
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Member:
Christos
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Posted on Tuesday, Sep 19, 2006 - 9:09 pm:
 Oops! That's a hard one.
I suppose he means forcing your seat in the saddle using your thighs against the front pads while you tilt your pelvis a bit backwards.
This does apply strong downward pressure to the back of the saddle and makes the horse step under and round his back to relieve the pressure.
This is a severe way of using your seat, I only use it as punishment at the same time with the whip. And only on a horse with a very strong back, otherwise it causes enough discomfort for the horse to DrOp his back and start thinking of ways to avoid your weight.
I believe that the word "strong" does not belong in a method of teaching a horse a correct contact. As you correctly describe, one has to be very forgiving and patient.
With a young horse, I will rather lift my weight off the saddle to free his back and make collection easier until his back is strong enough to carry full pressure.
Mind you, most trainers do not agree with this approach. I've had many trainers yell that I should sit heavier and force those hindquarters under.
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Member:
Stenella
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Posted on Wednesday, Sep 20, 2006 - 1:32 am:
Nicely said, Christos.
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Member:
Erika
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Posted on Wednesday, Sep 20, 2006 - 8:57 am:
Catherine, I am no dressage rider, but I have been able to achieve some nice collection. Is it possible they mean to just use the driving seat momentarily as a cue to get the horse ready to move forward behind? I do find that it can--as a very quick aid help to get him to center more over the hind legs rather than leg cue only, which can sometimes just put him stronger to the bit.
Sorry, I don't know terminology, but it has helped me to get across to my horses what I am asking. Then the seat pressure is quickly relieved as a reward for pulling himself together.
(Okay Christos--give me both barrels)
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Member:
Erika
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Posted on Wednesday, Sep 20, 2006 - 9:01 am:
I guess what I am saying (or trying to say ) is that the author may use the word "strong" to differentiate from a light following seat, to be used as a temporary cue to communicate the desired response in the horse. After he "gets it" a few times, i would imagine you would not use it any longer.
Kind of like the discussions about the temporary initial exaggerated rein cues by the Western trainers to quicken the understanding. They don't continue to ride like that once the horse understands.
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Member:
Dtranch
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Posted on Wednesday, Sep 20, 2006 - 9:05 am:
Erika ..
I now recommend a "strong seat" to post on HA.
DT
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Member:
Christos
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Posted on Wednesday, Sep 20, 2006 - 9:20 am:
We agree, Erika. Just for this time, let's not make a habit out of it and spoil the good old cowboy's fun  .
Though I generally prefer sitting very lightly until the horse rounds himself and uses his back correctly, there's nothing wrong with sitting fully here and there or gently driving with your seat sometimes.
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Member:
Kstud
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Posted on Wednesday, Sep 20, 2006 - 11:47 am:
thanks all, I don't think I will ever master this riding business, just as I get the hang of one thing they go and ask you to do something else. Think I will head back to the hunting field.
Catherine
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Member:
Imogen
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Posted on Monday, Sep 25, 2006 - 2:51 am:
Catherine have you ever had a lesson with Donie Macnamara? I think he's the best pure dressage teacher around Munster (active word here is teacher - there are plenty who can do it and few who can describe what they are doing, and what you need to do, well enough to teach...)
He's based in Limerick so I've no idea if he ever heads up Mullingar direction. And yes, I'm afraid I'm a "hunting"-type dressage rider as well... Normally our problem is our seats are TOO active.
Who is the book by?
All the best
Imogen
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Member:
Kstud
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Posted on Monday, Sep 25, 2006 - 1:58 pm:
Hi Imogen, No I have heard of Donie but do not know him. I used to get lessons with John Hall but then he moved to Greece, then Heike Holstein but she has just had a baby and sometimes John Micklem. I will have to look and see who the book is by. You could be right about the active seat as my nickname is Electric Ar*e. I left a blank for modesty, but I can make the laziest horse go forward and the most forward horse a nervous wreck, and without realising it or knowing what I do. I am getting a couple of horses fit for the local hunt at the moment who are both known for being very lazy. Strange that, they are not lazy with me! Thats ok with a young one or a lazy one but I long to be able to have a horse for longer than 3 months without giving it a nervous breakdown. Any advice (other than give up riding)
catherine
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Member:
Imogen
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Posted on Sunday, Oct 1, 2006 - 11:57 am:
How about a dead quiet Irish draught or draught cross with good enough movement for dressage (so preferably some breeding from Grange Bouncer, Silver Granite or Red Hackle)?
If you find the answer please tell me...
All the best
Imogen
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Member:
Kstud
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Posted on Sunday, Oct 1, 2006 - 3:28 pm:
Hi Imogen, I am worse with Irish Draughts, strangely I am better with something quite highly strung as if they do not snap with me they feel they have met their match and settle. If you find the answer can you PLEASE tell me!,
Catherine
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