Best riding position in canter

[bhpride]

I canter my horse for quite long distances, and I raise myself out of the saddle without changing my leg position so I'm not on her back so to speak - like a X country rider. I presume this frees up her back? and makes it easier for her - would it be better to do this whilst cantering or to sit there as normal? What would be best for her?

I was trying to maintain the above position for as long as I could yesterday and my legs are aching like hell today lol

thank you

 

[dwi]

I would say it depends on what you want from her. If you are keeping her as a happy hack then I would say its fine but if you want to do other things with her then I'd say its good for her to get used to you sitting to the canter. When I first got my mare she was very unfit and unbalanced so I tended to canter out of the saddle on hacks to let her sort herself out. My instructor advised that I should try sitting so that we could progress onto more collection and impulsion.