Whether you’ve been riding for decades or just a week, there are certain things you need to understand about how to properly use your horse’s western saddle. There are also a few mistakes new riders make that they don’t realize until much later in their equestrian journey.Whether you’re a first-time rider or have been at it for years, these tips will help you get more out of your horse’s riding experience by using the correct techniques from the get-go. There are plenty of resources online and offline to learn more about the ins and outs of being a rider. But there are also things you can do now that will set you up for success from day one when you hop on your horse’s back and ride off into the sunset!

Know where to position your legs on the saddle.

The most important thing to understand when riding a western saddle is that there are four basic leg positions for riders: Seated, Waist, Crab and Straight. These four positions are the same no matter what type of saddle you’re using. The only difference between them is how you’re positioning your legs on the seat of the saddle. There are a few things you should keep in mind when reading about each position:

  • Saddles are designed to fit different types of riders and body types. The best way to know if a specific saddle will fit you is by trying it on in person, or at least measuring your horse’s back to make sure it’s the right size for you.
  • The most important thing to understand is that, no matter what position you’re in, you should always keep your legs as close to the horse’s sides as possible. If you keep your legs too far out to one side or the other, you’re putting pressure on the horse’s back, which isn’t good for either of you.
  • If you’re interested in reading more about how to choose the right saddle, check out this article from The Saddlerow. They cover all the ins and outs of finding the perfect fit, along with different types of horse-riding disciplines and more.

Don’t use your legs to hold up the saddle.

One of the biggest mistakes you can make when riding is using your legs to hold up the saddle. This can lead to soreness and make your horse work harder and feel uncomfortable. Instead of riding with your legs out to the sides, you need to keep them together and slightly in front of you. The best position for your legs is halfway between your horse’s sides. When you use your legs to hold up the saddle, you’re putting pressure on the horse’s back and hurting them.

Use your hands to hold up the saddle.

When riding, you should always hold the reins with your hands. This is an important rule for beginners to remember. If you hold the reins with your legs, you’ll have a much harder time staying in the saddle and controlling your horse if they’re feeling spooked. If you’re not used to holding the reins with your hands, a simple way to practice is by holding a piece of rope and pulling it toward you as you’re riding.

Don’t bounce around in the saddle.

Another common mistake new riders make is bouncing around in the saddle when they’re riding. This can cause your horse to become spooked and make riding an unpleasant experience for both of you. Instead of moving around like you’re in a rocking chair, you should stay as still as possible in the saddle while keeping your seat and legs in control. This will help you have a more enjoyable experience and make riding easier for both you and your horse.

Don’t lean too far forward or backward.

One of the biggest mistakes you can make when riding is leaning too forward or backward. This can cause you to lose control of the horse and make you fall off. Instead of leaning forward or backward, you should try to sit as upright as possible. If you’re leaning too far forward, you’re putting pressure on the horse’s neck and making it uncomfortable. If you’re leaning too far back, you’re putting too much pressure on your seat. This can cause you to lose control of the horse and cause them to spook.

Bottom line

The best way to know if a specific horse is right for you is by trying it out in person. There are plenty of horse sales and auctions held throughout the year, and many of them have websites where you can search for available horses. There are also websites like Craigslist and Facebook where you can find people who are looking to sell their horse.

Whether you’re a first-time rider or have been at it for years, these tips will help you get more out of your horse’s riding experience by using the correct techniques from the get-go. There are plenty of resources online and offline to learn more about the ins and outs of being a rider. But there are also things you can do now that will set you up for success from day one when you hop on your horse’s back and ride off into the sunset!