Balance. Control. Communication. These are the foundations of every good ride, and they all begin with one thing: your riding position.
At WildHeart Riding School, we believe that no matter how long you’ve been riding, there is always room to improve your position. A correct seat doesn’t just make you look good in the saddle—it keeps you safer, helps your horse move better, and deepens your connection with the animal beneath you.
Whether you’re riding English or Western, the principles of alignment and balance are nearly the same. In this guide, we’re breaking down 10 tried-and-true tricks that will help you develop a stronger, more correct riding position.
This is the classic alignment taught at WildHeart Riding School from the very first lesson. If someone dropped a line from your ear straight down, it should pass through your shoulder, hip, and heel. This vertical line helps you stay balanced and follow the horse’s motion without getting in the way.
Practice this at a standstill, then test it at the walk, trot, and canter. Have someone take a photo or video of your ride to check your alignment.
Hands are a rider’s communication tool—but they must be steady and kind. Your hands should form a straight line from the elbow to the horse’s bit, with soft wrists and a slight bend in the elbow. Avoid “piano hands” (palms facing down) or “puppy paws” (bent wrists).
At WildHeart, we often have students carry a short crop across their thumbs or hold a piece of string between their hands to keep them steady and correctly spaced.
“Heels down” is one of the most repeated phrases in any riding arena. But too much pressure in the heel can stiffen your leg. The goal is to let your weight naturally drop into your heels while keeping your ankles soft.
Flex your ankle downward gently. Your heel should be the lowest point of your leg, but not braced. At WildHeart, we use exercises like stirrup-less work and lunge lessons to improve this naturally.
Good posture doesn’t mean leaning behind the motion. Sit up straight with your spine aligned and your chest open. Think of growing tall through the top of your head while keeping your core engaged.
Avoid arching your back or slouching your shoulders. This helps with both appearance and effectiveness, especially in disciplines like dressage or equitation.
Tight hips block movement. To ride well, your hips need to move with the horse’s motion. If you find yourself bouncing or gripping, your hips are likely stiff.
Try stretching before riding—especially hip openers like lunges or seated stretches. On the horse, focus on letting your hips follow the swing of the horse’s back. At WildHeart, we often incorporate yoga-based stretches into our rider warm-up routines.
A correct position isn’t held by strength in the arms or legs—it’s held by your core. Your abdominal and lower back muscles stabilize your torso so that the rest of your body can stay soft and responsive.
Try this off the horse: sit on a balance ball and practice keeping your spine upright as you shift your weight side to side. This mimics the horse’s motion and builds the muscles you’ll need in the saddle.
Many riders mistakenly grip with their knees, which pops them out of the saddle and causes instability. Instead, think of gently wrapping your thighs around the saddle while keeping the knees relaxed and in contact.
Your legs should act like a secure drape, not a clamp. Exercises like riding without stirrups and posting at the walk help riders learn how to support themselves with their thighs.
The lower leg should rest quietly against the horse’s side, not swing or constantly apply pressure. A stable lower leg gives you control for cues and security over fences or on the trail.
To improve stability, ride with your stirrups tied to the girth (with supervision) or practice “freeze frame” moments in your trot work, where you stop mid-post and hold your position.
Where you look, your body follows. Looking down throws off your balance and creates tension. Instead, focus on where you want to go—whether it’s a circle, a jump, or a straight line.
At WildHeart Riding School, we teach our students to keep their eyes up and soft, scanning their environment while staying connected to their horse.
Tension is the enemy of a good position. Riders often tighten their shoulders, clench their hands, or grip with their legs without realizing it. Breathing deeply and exhaling fully helps reset your muscles and calm your horse at the same time.
Take moments during your ride to scan your body from head to toe, releasing any unnecessary tension. Sometimes just a deep breath and a shoulder roll can make a big difference.
We incorporate multiple position drills into every lesson, including:
Whether you ride Western or English, these techniques build body awareness and control that applies across disciplines.
Your horse feels everything—from the placement of your heel to the tension in your fingers. A strong, correct position makes your cues clearer, your seat lighter, and your presence more predictable.
A poor position, on the other hand, can:
At WildHeart, we show our students how even small improvements in rider position lead to noticeable changes in the horse’s movement and attitude.
The goal is for a correct riding position to become second nature. That takes time, repetition, and mindful riding. We encourage students to focus on one element at a time—like hands or heels—rather than trying to perfect everything all at once.
Here’s how to build that muscle memory:
Beginner to Advanced: Position Is Always a Priority
Correct riding isn’t just for show riders. Whether you’re on a trail ride, schooling in the arena, or just learning to post the trot, your position is your foundation. At WildHeart Riding School, it’s one of the first things we teach—and something we work on in every lesson, regardless of the rider’s level.
From first-time kids to competitive adults, we tailor our coaching to help every rider develop a balanced, confident, and effective seat.
If you’re looking to improve your riding position and get hands-on coaching that makes a difference, WildHeart Riding School in Geneva, FL is just 8 minutes from Oviedo Mall and 30 minutes from downtown Orlando. Our instructors are here to help you ride smarter, safer, and more skillfully—one position check at a time.
