Muscle memory can be a great thing, or it can be a real burden when one wants to switch riding styles. Many riders, including hunter/jumpers, have realized the benefits of dressage in developing a balanced, supple horse. But, in doing so, many riders have difficulty in trying to find their seat. Making the change from hunt seat to dressage seat can be an interesting challenge, but with a few hints and some mental reminders, you'll be able to get the correct seat and be able to correctly work your horse.
First, let’s describe the hunt seat position. Typically, there is a slight inclination forward of the upper body, stirrups short enough to create a bend at the knee, heels down, typically with big toe weighting in so that the toes turn at a slight angle, bringing the part of the back of the calf against the horse.
The rider typically has a light hold on the horse through the thigh and calf. Some riders have an unfortunately pinch to their knee as a bad habit.
Switching to dressage seat, the hunt seat rider needs to keep a few things in mind. First, drop your stirrups two to three holes longer than what you would ride in on the flat. Don’t drop them down too far too quickly or you’ll end up bouncing all over your horse.
Bounce and shock are typically absorbed through the ankle and knee.
The dressage seat differs in several ways. The saddle is set back slightly to allow greater control of the hindquarters. (Whereas your hunt seat girth may come up just behind your horse’s elbow, the dressage girth is about a full hand’s width further back toward the horse’s barrel.)
The dressage rider’s leg drapes along the horse’s sides often in a way called “like a wet towel.” The leg doesn’t grip or hold. No pinched knees!
The dressage rider’s leg also rests with the side of the calf and the side of the thigh along the horse as the rider’s toes point straight ahead. This is one of the most difficult changes for hunt seat riders and you may often feel like your ankles are breaking over the outside.
To gain the proper position of the dressage leg, the rider needs to push the thigh to the ground, allowing the calf to come back under the rider, the heel falls under the rider’s hip. And the heels are slightly down. There are no gripping thighs, knees or calves in dressage.
With the heel falling under the hip, your leg is in the proper place to deliver a correct aid. You can use the inside of your heels to tickle your horse’s belly to encourage him to lift his back. Your feet are parallel to your horse’s barrel.
The rider’s back is straight, and the lower back, waist and belly absorb the bounce. (If, after riding, you feel like you’ve done a ton of stomach crunches, you’ve likely been sitting correctly.) By lifting the chin and sternum, the rider can easily attain the straight back without forcing shoulders back. Shoulders are held above the hips.
The rider’s seat bones act as the seat aid in the dressage seat. The rider’s seat (buttocks in particular) need to be relaxed and take up as much room on the saddle as possible, with weight evenly distributed. The seat will be used as a driving and restricting aid.
In hunt seat, you are sitting more forward with the horse’s motion. But when you switch to dressage, think of the change as driving from the backseat, pushing your horse up in front of you. Making the change isn’t easy, especially when your body has to fight muscle memory, but it certainly is a fun challenge that can be rewarding for both horse and rider!
