Saddle Seat
Saddle Seat?
Anyone who rides saddlseat, what is it like? does the horse move differently?? Why saddleseat? I moved from western to hunter.jumper, and now i'm really curious about saddleseat.. i would love some personal experiences and stories!! Any advice or tips on being a succesefull saddleseat rider! thanks!
I ride saddleseat and have since 1992. The horse's are high headed and high trotting. They are exciting and much different than any other style of horses. Here are some sites you should check out about saddleseat:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saddle_seat
http://www.peeperranch.com/saddleseat.htm
http://www.horse.on.ca/programs/coaching/sseat_overview.html
http://regaljada.tripod.com/saddleseatequitation/ (my website and its quite popular in the disipline)
Email me (on my profile) for more info and to ask questions if you would like.
Edit:
The style is ridden on trotting breeds and gaited breeds. The disipline was developed around the horse's movement. Here are some video as well:
http://video.aol.com/video-detail/french-market-at-the-connecticut-morgan-horse-show/2852697473
http://www.asha.net/asha/media.php?cat=ASHA%20Video&vid=118srsaddleseatequitationchamp#vid
http://www.asha.net/asha/media.php?cat=ASHA%20Video&vid=130fivegaitedgrandchampionship&PHPSESSID=00787a72e5ee60b9bf63aa1ea1464f18#vid
http://www.asha.net/asha/media.php?cat=ASHA%20Video&vid=126threegaitedgrandchampionshi#vid
Check out the rest of the videos on the ASHA website as well.
Edit:
The Saddle Seat Equitation website will give a more detailed describition of the postition but here is an overview.
1. Maintaining center of balance: Rider's back should be straight, with shoulders directly over hips and spine in line with that of horse.
2. Hands: Hands should be quiet and light, with flexible (not locked) wrists and should show sympathy, adaptability and control. Horses with high-set necks allow the rider's hands to be held higher than do horses with low-set necks; therefore, the placement of the horse's neck dictates the proper elevation of the rider's hands. Hands should be tipped in 30-45 degrees from vertical and should not be excessively far apart (not more than 8 inches in most cases). Bight of reins is on off (right) side.
3. Arms: Elbows should be no further from the body than the point at which the chest begins to look concave. This is called "pumpkin arms" or cave-chested because improper roundness of the arms forces the chest to cave inward and the shoulders to come forward out of position. The upper body, including the arms and hands, should give the appearance of elegant style and complete control but without the impression of stiffness, posing or exaggeration.
4. Legs and Feet: The old days of the flared lower leg and cocked ankle are long gone. It is easy to see why, as this unnatural leg and foot position did not allow the rider to properly guide the horse using calf pressure. With feet in stirrups, the Stirrup Leathers should hang straight down. So a rider should not have a flared leg. Just stretching your ankle down and out which will roll your knee and thigh tight into the saddle. You should be posting from your knee and thigh as well leaving your calf as an aid to be used when needed.
Edit:
Saddle Seat is a greatly misunderstood disipline. Many people see what is done for the first time and then just assume instead of asking knowledgable Saddle Seat people what is going on. There are many misconceptions. I would first check it out without any bias and then if you have any questions ask someone who can give you an educated answer.
Saddle Seat Horse's center of balance is farther back than other horses because of their natural carriage. The training techniques in no way hurt but they help strengthen and enhance their natural ability.
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Schwinn Adult Double Gel Bicycle Saddle Seat Cover List Price: $17.99 Sale Price: $10.95  |
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The Schwinn Adult Double Gel Seat Cover features soft gel padding, a drawstring to customize fit and a weatherproof LYCRA® cover |
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The Avenir Series MTN Saddles feature a soft gel-foam top, CroMo rails, and a tough vinyl cover. Woman's model has a shorter & wider base. Cusions your backside so you can enjoy your ride. |
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Velo Elastomer Bicycle Saddle. Your posterior will thank you. Extra cush for your tush. It's perfectly sized, perfectly soft, with a non-slip waterproof top... all the good stuff to make your ride, be it on a cruiser, a hybrid, or an exercise bike, as comfortable as possible... |
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The Seat Ultimate Bicycle Saddle offers an innovative design that removes pressure from the groin and soft tissues and moves your weight back to your sits bones for an improved riding position. The Seat's ergonomic design eliminates the protruding horn or nose found on conventional bicycle seats, providing a significantly more comfortable and healthy ride... |
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Hit the road on the Velo(r) bio:logic men's bike saddle. This ergonomically designed bike seat is padded for a comfortable ride and designed with airflow-promoting channels. |
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Ride in comfort with the Ventura Gel Bicycle Seat. This bike saddle includes springs. A seat clamp is included for easy and secure seat post attachment. |
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Bike riding is a great form of exercise, but bicycle seats are notorious for making you uncomfortable. Enter the Cloud 9 suspension cruiser saddle, which is designed to cushion your rear as you ride. The Cloud 9 saddle measures a generous 10-1/2 inches long by 10-1/2 inches wide, with an anatomic relief design and a dual-density gel foam padding helping add to the comfort... |
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Extra wide design with high-tech gel for maximum comfort Fits over most seats on standard or stationary bikes Durable weather resistant fabric for extended wear Locking draw cord for a secure fit. |
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