Improving my seat

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Highflinger

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I fell off my boy today - he spooked off sideways and off I came. It was not a huge spook & I feel I should have stayed on so I need to improve my feeble riding. I have come off twice previously when he has spooked although have also sat quite a few. Had this boy about 3 years. My other horse is not spooky and although this one has improved hugely does still catch me out occasionally
I have ridden for 40 years but on quiet happy hackers that have generally been fairly well behaved and although I fell off my childhood pony fairly frequently have rarely hit the deck as an adult but I certainly don’t bounce anymore - age 50.
I am not a good rider and quite nervous.
What do you suggest I do / work on to improve my “stick ability” - I have certainly sat far bigger spooks & leaps in the past so think my seat is getting worse :(
 
Pearlsinger - do they really work? . Did wonder about the gel out saddle pad. I do find my saddle is quite slippery - still no excuse for my poor riding!
 
Highflinger said:
Pearlsinger - do they really work? . Did wonder about the gel out saddle pad. I do find my saddle is quite slippery - still no excuse for my poor riding!
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I find that they do! I genuinely thought I was going to slide off the back of my Clydesdale's saddle, as we turned to go up a very steep hill, one day when I was wearing a pair of nylon breeches without sticky bum. I decided that I had better always wear stickybums after that.
 
One of mine is either laid back and horizontal or spooks sideways at 90mph for no reason which can be quite disconcerting as I never quite know which it’s going to be. I have a gel out seat saver which has helped enormously and if he is really bad I use a RStor on the saddle to hang on to. It has stopped me parting company with him on more than one occasion. I’ve tried riding long and short and it doesn’t seem to make any difference to how I stick in the saddle, it’s now instinctive.
 
Have done a few equi Pilates sessions that mobilised pelvis, spine & hips & now feel I am more with than on my horses. Was surprising how braced I was. My pony did very dramatic spook at an unexpected log but I was able to go with it.
 
Sticky bum breeches or riding tights really do make a difference. One of mine has a 180 degree spin but touch wood I’ve stayed with it so far at least in part to sticky bum. I use gel ones now rather than the faux suede as they’re stretchier.

Lunge lessons are recommended but if it’s on your own horse it would have to be safe for you to be lunged on and not all are. Finding someone good who will give you lessons on one of theirs is like finding hens teeth ime.

Even normal lessons with short sessions of no stirrups will help. Also a “Ride with your mind” Mary Wanless type coach can help explain to you how to use your core and what it should feel like. You can look up to see if there is one in your area. Lots of videos online too.
 
All of the above plus I find that these days (mid-70's) I like to ride with a longer (dressage?) length stirrup for hacking. Everyone tells me that I will have better grip with them slightly shorter but that just doesn't seem to work for me. I am not worried about speed but I also worry about the sideways spook as I know that I don't have the strength in my leg muscles that I used to have to sit it. So I would be thinking about some leg strengthening exercises as well - lunges and squats for example.
 
Mechanical horse is great for lessons and lots of places have them now.

I ride really long as every lesson was without stirrups. They werent even there if you need them, they were taken away. Thems the old days though I doubt riding schools are allowed to do that these days. Really helps your seat.

I cannot stand sticky bum jods I hate them with a passion. But its personal preference.
 
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Fitness - you are never too old to improve this. Go and really work on it and you will probably see a huge improvement. Its all very well people saying have lunge lessons but if you are not fit enough in the first place you are wasting your money and you will feel like crap. Get fitter, see if there is an improvement and then look at finessing it if you need to through things like lunge lessons. If I am fat my seat is rubbish. The thinner and fitter I am, the better I ride. I am not lucky enough to be a beanpole so I have to work at keeping my weight down.

The best things I have found are pilates and kettlercise. You need something that will help develop 'core' strength as well as some basic fitness. Do Joe Wicks on You Tube. It will make you miserable but do it 2/3 days a week at your own pace and you will find a huge improvement.
 
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Another vote for Pilates

Gel out seat savers are excellent too
I used to do the leg-over-the-front dismount, but it's impossible with a gel out seat saver; you just hang there, stuck to the saddle
 
Highflinger said:
Pearlsinger - do they really work? . Did wonder about the gel out saddle pad. I do find my saddle is quite slippery - still no excuse for my poor riding!
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Yes! I always wear them if I’m getting on the one who is a fan of the “airs above ground” they've saved mye a few times on the spooky cob too. I love my horze ones
 
I also cool down from every ride without stirrups and will try and do a no stirrup ride every 2 weeks or so If they’re at home, I don’t risk it in the field
 
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