Rider’s Biomechanical Balance and it’s Effect on the Horse

By Jessica Greelish

The position of the rider, and balance and straightness of the horse is paramount in producing the correct connection and containment of energy. Once that connection is made, Dressage becomes a direction of energy around the arena, rather than just shapes you make with excessive use of aids on a disconnected horse. It is for this reason that in my training, I focus so much on the correct biomechanical position and balance of the horse and rider.

PELVIS

The riders pelvis should be in a tucked under position, from drawing the pubic bone up / top of the pelvis back towards the spine, using the lower abdominal muscles. The rider should be balanced behind the seat bones, in the meaty part of the buttocks. Riding in this position helps push the hind legs further forward under the horses belly, engaging the hind legs & stomach muscle and lifts the back to support the saddle & rider in the correct way. If you drop your pelvis position and position the seat bones straight down into the horses back, you push the back away & drop the hindlegs further out behind the stifles.

KNEES / LEGS

To get multiple leg aid options the knees should be facing forward not rotated out so that you can use the inner leg as well as the spur if needed as a back up. if the hip joints are rotated out, it causes the buttocks muscle to tense which inhibits correct use & positioning of pelvis.

SHOULDERS AND CHEST

The shoulders should be rolled back & down. The chest should rise and upper ribcage open. This activated the upper core muscles, which helps the rider have independent hands, for correct contact. The upper torso should move from above the pelvis to slightly behind but not in front. This helps open the way for the horses withers to elevate.

TORSO

The upper body should remain upright with shoulder horizontal and the spine vertical. The shoulders swivel around the spine to move the horse’s shoulders in a direction. If you lean, you help the horse lean and also push the energy travelling through the horse sideways not up in front of you anymore.

ELBOWS

The elbow position should remain in the same position on both sides of your ribs, especially through corners. So that you balance and support the horse’s shoulders in an upright position. If you give away the outside elbow position, especially in conjunction with the inside elbow coming back. You allow the horse to fall through the outside shoulder, drop the inside shoulder & become crooked in the front legs. Some people refer to it as motorbiking around the corner!

FOREARMS

The elbow, forearm, wrists & fists should all be relaxed and supple, to allow for a soft connection to the horse’s mouth. The softest place for the horse to relax & come through to, is to follow the line of your forearm. So you actually show the horse where you want the bit to be, by holding your forearm on that angle.