Deep Seat

The best example I can use is a dressage rider I know.

She is absolutely 'part' of the horse - they look 'complete'. Her seat doesn't move out of the saddle, and when trotting she seems to absorb all the energy through her seat and lower back. It's just beautiful to see.
 
Surely someone else must have a view?
The reason for the question, is that two instructors have given me two different definitions and I was keen to find out what the generally accepted view of having "a deep seat" meant to a wider variety of people.
 
I would agree with AmyMay's definition - a rider with a "deep seat" really appears to be part of the horse, doesn't look perched on the saddle in any way. However, I am far from expert, so would be very interested to hear what other people define it as too.

FMM, how did your two instructors define it?

SLightly o/t, and possibly depending on the definition of what a deep seat actually is, how would you develop it? Is loads and loads of work without stirrups the only way?
 
I'd agree with Amy!
I've always believed it's even if they took saddlery away, the person would still look as if moulded to the horse with no loss of balance or ability whatever that horse might do and still have it perform as well as before. When you see them, they are a delight to watch whatever the discipline, even if it's something you're not particularly interested in.
 
I'd say a deep seat is when you feel almost moulded into the saddle (including your thighs) - so that as the horse moves, you move with it as if you are 'stuck together'. Not heavy in the saddle, though, either - a light seat can still be a deep seat. So it's the same as everyone elses opinion really - I'm interested to read what your instructors said about it though?
 
A friend was under the impression that she had to push herself into the saddle and grind her seatbones into the seat of the saddle in order to achieve a deeper seat. Although I can see where she was coming from, this is not what I would call a deep seat - as this would make her very heavy and probably unbalanced in the saddle. The difference between perching and "grinding" as opposed to achieving a deep seat is quite subtle in explanation, but substantial when you see someone riding a horse.
 
I would say that it is when you have a soft 3 point contact (your seatbones and....ahem.....your "front bit"
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), that absorbs all the movement and can influence the horse by subtle changes to the balance of your seat. Grinding makes the 3 point contact turn into 2 point, and also lessens the ability of your "middle", or waist, (from the bottom of your ribs to your hips) to absorb movement. As jtm says, a deep seat can also be a light seat, which is how it needs to be through transitions so that the horse can soften through its back. If you grind through a transition the horse's back is pushed away from your seat and it is more likely to hollow.

Disclaimer: all the above is just IMHO.
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A deep seat to me is when the rider is moving fluidly with the horse. There is no resistance in the seat & they look part of the horse, moulded into the saddle & relaxed into the deepest part of it.

I've been told I have a deep seat, how I ride feels as if I'm relaxed into the saddle & relaxed into the horses movement & move with it rather than against it.

I also classify a deep seat as the rider being more in control of the horse with their seat than they are with the reins. For example they use their seat rather than just their heel & reins for turning as you see some riders do.
I also think the rider should look secure but light in the saddle rather than a lead weight. Slumping your weight into the saddle & riding with a deep seat are two entirely different things in my opinion
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