There’s nothing more fun than taking off over hill and dale and enjoying the great outdoors with your horse. But did you know that there were certain ways to ride over different kinds of terrain? Knowing when and how to change position will make trail riding more enjoyable for both you and your horse.

On flat terrain at the walk and jog: Feel free to sit, but be sure to get up into your half-seat position now and again. Remember that when you are on horseback, sitting doesn’t necessarily mean relaxing! Getting up into your half-seat will give your horse a break while also improving your leg muscles and balance.

On flat terrain at the trot: The posting trot is the way to go here. While you don’t have to worry about being on the “right diagonal,” it is important to change diagonals frequently. Why? If you always post on the same diagonal you’ll give your horse more of a workout on one side and he won’t develop evenly.

On flat terrain at the canter: You can sit some of the time, but your horse will like you more if you considerately spend a little time in your half-seat. Just like in the trot, you’ll give the horse a break and will also develop balance and leg muscles. To know if you are really centered and balanced, ask what would happen if your horse suddenly disappeared from underneath you. If you would land on your feet, you are in the right position. If you would land on your bottom or your face, you need a little more practice.

Up and down hills: It’s easy to get confused regarding how you should ride your horse up hills versus how you should ride him down hills . . . until you remember that all your horse’s power comes from the rear and he needs his neck and head to balance. The first big rule: give him his head and neck when he’s going both up and down hills. Second, don’t interfere too much by moving about. Try to stay as still as possible. Finally, to ensure that your horse uses his backside to the best of his ability, raise yourself out of the saddle and stay balanced over your feet. Go down hills straight and not at an angle. Give your horse some reins and keep looking up. When you are going up hills, get in your half-seat and encourage horse to canter. It’s much easier to canter up hills than it is to walk or trot up hills. If the hill is really steep and you are having a hard time staying balanced, grab some mane.

Over obstacles: How you sit when you approach an obstacle will tell your horse how you want him to cross it. If you ask the horse to jump make sure you get into your half-seat position and give him enough rein. Be sure to check out obstacles carefully, as it is sometimes safer to go around them than over them.

Happy trails!