The Defensive Seat

One riding position is frequently presented today as correct in dressage: the upper body leans backwards, the chest is opened, and the legs are pushed forwards and down. From the outside, it may appear elegant, balanced and secure. Biomechanically, however, it creates a very different reality.

When the rider leans backwards and places excessive weight into the lumbar region, the pelvis can no longer follow the natural oscillation of the horse's back. At that moment, something important changes. The rider's weight no longer falls vertically through the seat. Instead, it begins to push backwards against the horse's back.

To maintain this position, many riders instinctively push their stirrups forward and brace through their legs. This certainly creates stability for the rider, but it comes at a cost. The horse loses freedom through the back, the natural oscillation of the spine becomes progressively smaller, and the movement begins to lose its elasticity.

The horse then responds in the only way it can. It tightens the back, shortens the stride, or accelerates the rhythm in an attempt to cope with the restriction.

Interestingly, this position can sometimes be seen even at the highest levels of competition. But the horse does not understand equestrian fashions. It does not judge appearances or follow trends.

It only feels forced.

And when the rider's back pushes backwards instead of following the movement, the horse cannot easily lift its own back.

True horsemanship has never been about holding the horse from above. It has always been about allowing the horse to move freely beneath the rider. Many of these problems exist simply because nobody has ever explained how the rider's seat actually works.

This is exactly what I explain, step by step, in The Young Rider's Manual. Understanding these principles is one thing; applying them is another. The aim is not simply to teach a position, but to develop a seat that follows the horse's movement, supports its balance, and allows the back to function naturally rather than restricting it.

If you would like to explore these principles in greater depth, discover:

Young Rider's Manual

https://www.dressage-isaac.com/young-rider-s-manual/buy

The Professor at Home

https://www.dressage-isaac.com/q-a-consultations-with-isaac/buy

You can also follow my work on YouTube:

https://youtube.com/@isaacaresdressage

The eagle doesn't learn to fly by following the flock.

Isaac Ares

Classical Trainer. Independent Observer. Critical Voice. For the Horse. For the Truth. For the Art.