Tag Archives: rider position

Another Way to Ride to Smooth Gaits

another way to ride to smooth gaits

Ever wonder how riding position and the communication system through the leg, seat, weight and hand aids affect the horse? How we ride our naturally gaited horse directly impacts smooth gaits for the better (or worse).

If you are searching for a more effective way to communicate with your naturally gaited horse into smooth gaits, read on…

Another way to ride to smooth gaits

By Jennifer Klitzke

I have been studying dressage for decades with non-gaited and gaited horses and have been introduced to a variety of rider positions and ways to effectively communicate with the horse through my leg, seat, rein and weight aids. Some methods are hard to understand and apply. Some methods are quite strenuous to apply and maintain. There are differing methods between German dressage and French dressage. Even within German dressage there are differences of application.

Then there is my riding recipe I have been refining from best practices of methods I have come across over the years, including the naturally gaited horse world. Yet, I know there are more applications I have not yet encountered.

Video: Rider position and effect on smooth gaits

Could there be yet another way to ride smooth gaits?

I wasn’t actually looking when I stumbled upon yet another way to ride my naturally gaited horses. In April, I was scouring Facebook for classical dressage groups. That’s when I discovered Heather Moffett is more than a fine saddle maker. I first learned of her name years ago after purchasing a secondhand Heather Moffett dressage saddle. Intrigued with her connection to classical riding, I had to learn more.

Enlightened Equitation

Turns out Heather Moffett is also a brilliant riding instructor and author. She’s been teaching her method for decades. Perhaps I had not learned of her since she is in the UK. In any case, I am thrilled how social media can connect us to people all over the world. After reviewing her website, I learned of her book, “Enlightened Equitation: Riding in True Harmony with your Horse” and her Online Classical Riding Academy. She offers a free 14-day trial (plus, it is highly affordable if I choose to join).

I gave the trial a go. Then I joined the academy because there are so many videos to learn. I also purchased her book. “Enlightened Equitation: Riding in True Harmony with your Horse” by Heather Moffett is a must-study for anyone desiring to learn a balanced riding position, what the hand, leg and seat aids are and how to effectively use and time of the aids. All of these elements directly impact the naturally gaited horse’s movement for the better. I haven’t come across a book that describes how to ride dressage with the horse in mind better than Heather’s book.

"Enlightened Equitation: Riding in True Harmony with your Horse," by Heather Moffit
“Enlightened Equitation: Riding in True Harmony with your Horse,” by Heather Moffett

Through the video demonstrations and detailed book explanation, I am learning breakthrough applications about my riding position, effective use and timing of my leg, seat, rein and weight aids leading to quality smooth gaits. Plus, her method is rather easy to understand and apply.

I highly recommend this affordable academy and her book for anyone looking for encouraging and well-articulated demonstration videos in helping to develop an effective rider position and its effect on the horse.

I have been a student of dressage since 1988 and wish I had stumbled upon Heather Moffett’s teaching years ago. Her easy-to-understand methods have been helpful, insightful and my horses are moving better than ever in their senior years.

Makana, my 20-year-old naturally gaited Tennessee Walking Horse and Lady, my 20-something grade gaited horse are giving the Mullen mouth pelham bit a try―one of the ideas offered by Heather to help the horse relax the jaw.

While Makana is already relaxed in the jaw riding in a snaffle bit, the pelham has helped to improve her balance in walk, flat walk and canter, as well as leg yield, shoulder in, transitions, and rein back.

flat walk in a shoulder fore position
Flat walk in a shoulder fore position

Video: Following the belly sway to smooth gaits

Even more is the difference it is making with Lady who tends to hold tension in her mouth and jaw. The Mullen mouth pelham has helped her find relaxation in her mouth leading to her best quality smooth gaits.

Fox trot in a pelham
June 2024: Riding Lady, my 20-something grade gaited horse in a Mullen mouth pelham in her smooth diagonal gait.

Video: Why follow the belly sway to a smooth gait

Ride along with us as I share thought about rider position and its effect on the naturally gaited horse.

Learn more about Heather Moffett: https://www.onlineclassicalridingacademy.com


Let me know your thoughts. Sending me a message. Stay connected by subscribing to the Naturally Gaited youtube channel and “like” us on facebook.com/naturallygaited.

Rider Position and its Effect on the Gaited Horse

rider position and its effect on the gaited horse

Did you know that there is more than one rider position? Did you know that rider position has an effect on the horse and smooth gait? Did you know that rider position can place you in a more secure position to help you confidently ride through spooks?

Rider Position and its Effect on the Gaited Horse

By Jennifer Klitzke

Since 1988, I’ve taken hundreds of dressage lessons, ridden at dressage clinics, read many books, and watched dozens of dressage videos. When it comes to rider position, there are a variety of methods.

Comparing Rider Positions

The rider position I first learned teaches an ear, hip, and heel alignment and balance by loosely following the horse’s movement. This position focuses on growing tall with the upper body while stretching the legs long and pressing the heel down into the iron. It gives the rider a straight leg feeling. The rider’s seat focuses on the three seat bones. While riding, there is a feeling of leaning back with the upper body, especially at the sitting trot.

Jennifer Klitzke riding at a Mary Wanless Clinic
Jennifer Klitzke riding her Spanish Mustang at a
Mary Wanless Clinic and getting established in the
A,B,Cs of riding bio-mechanics.

I learned another rider position when I rode at a Mary Wanless rider bio-mechanics clinic. She teaches balance through stillness made through the isokinetic bearing down of the core muscles and sealing the thighs and knees against the saddle. The rider’s seat includes the knees, thighs and seat bones where the majority of the rider’s weight is held in thighs and not pressed down into the heel. Instead, the toe lightly rests in the iron. This rider position also teaches an ear, hip, heel alignment, but with a 90-degree bend at the knee between the hip and heel instead of the straight leg. Instead of a leaning back feeling, there is a pressing forward feeling from the sternum as if resisting someone’s push.

Mary’s theories have been developed through her education in physics, biomechanics, riding dressage through the upper levels, and studying the best dressage riders of her time. She’s coached top riders such as long-time student and successful Grand Prix rider Heather Blitz.

Mary has a knack for putting words to how talented dressage riders ride. Even though I have been a book and video student for decades, it wasn’t until experiencing this clinic where her rider position and biomechanics really clicked.

naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse flat walk

Eleven steps to a more secure rider position that benefits the horse and smooth gaits

  1. Stirrup length: Adjust the stirrups to a 90-degree bend in the knee. At first it might feel too short.
  2. External alignment: While sitting on the horse just behind the wither, align the ear, hip, and heel.
  3. Thigh and knee position: Then rotate the thighs inward so that the thighs and knees seal to the saddle. This helps distribute the rider’s weight along the horse’s back instead of resting on the spine. When the horse is comfortable, the horse moves smoother.
  4. Toe in iron: The toes lightly rest in the irons.
  5. Rotate tailbone: Next, rotate the tail bone forward as if drawing it between the thighs. This flattens the lower back.
  6. Position in motion: In the rider position, ask the horse to walk. In each walk step feel one hip slightly rotate forward with the horse’s movement and then the other.
  7. Bear down: While at a walk, add what Mary refers to as “bear down.” This engages the core and lowers the center of gravity for more stability in the saddle. Mary describes it as, “sucking in your stomach and pushing your guts against it.”
  8. Seat bones: Then become aware of the three seat bones and lower them evenly to the saddle.
  9. Breathing: Adding to bearing down and lowering the seat bones to the saddle, breath deep as if the lungs fill up the stomach.
  10. Resisting the push: Next, imagine someone pushing against your sternum as you resist the push. This further engages the core.
    Another concept is to imagine someone pushing against your hands as you hold the reins. This concept helps you riding forward with the horse instead hold the horse back with the hands.
  11. Awareness of sitting surface: Finally, become aware of the full sitting surface: the lowering of the core and seat bones closer to the saddle for stability, the knees and thighs lightly holding the rider’s body weight along the saddle.

Rider Position and its Effect on the Horse

While Mary teaches this rider position to those with non-gaited horses, I’ve found that this rider position has worked well with my naturally gaited horses. Each time I align my position, lower my core, and distribute my weight through my thighs, my horses immediately lift their back, wither and shoulder, and move more naturally forward without prompting on my part. And best of all, their gaits are smoother.

This riding position has shown me how my rider position directly affects my horse. When I am riding in alignment and correctly positioned, my horse need less fixing and my horses move more comfortably forward. Each time my old habits creep back, my horses let me know by dropping their back and getting tense which reminds me to reposition myself.

A Secure Rider Position

When comparing my former riding position to the one Mary taught me, Mary’s rider position is more stable and secure. I notice that the angle my knees and thighs have to the back of my seat offer more stability when compared to a straight leg. Plus, by lowering my center of gravity closer to the saddle while holding my knees and thighs lightly along the saddle provides more security than when my upper body grew tall. Each time I ride through an unexpected spook, Mary’s rider position keeps me in place which builds my confidence. When I have confidence, it is easier to be relaxed which helps my horse relax.

Yes, there is more than one way to ride a horse. After 25 years of riding one way, I’m sure glad that I gave Mary’s rider position a try. It has made me a more effective, aware and confident rider which has translated into becoming a more trusted leader to my horse.

Video: Naturally Gaited Flat walk and Canter

What are your thoughts? Please reach out and send me a message or stay connected by subscribing to the Naturally Gaited youtube channel and “like” us on facebook.com/naturallygaitedhorse.


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