1 Simple Exercise To Improve Your Balance In The Saddle (Confidence Boost)

If you’ve ever felt insecure, tense, or off balance in the saddle, you know how that impacts your confidence. Having balance in the saddle is essential not only for your own peace of mind but also for your horse’s comfort and performance.

The good news? There’s one simple exercise that can dramatically improve how you feel in the saddle - and improves your connection with your horse.

Why Feeling Balanced in the Saddle Matters

When you're in the “sweet spot” of balance, you’re able to ride with less effort and more softness:

• You feel more secure, stable, and confident.
• Your horse mirrors that balance - relaxing, lengthening her stride, and becoming more responsive.
• You move in harmony with your horse, so your cues are clearer and more effective.

But if your seat and leg position are even slightly off:

• You become unbalanced.
• You can’t give clear cues to your horse.
• Tension builds in your body (and in your mind).

This tension often triggers unconscious fear responses - tightness in your body, overthinking, and a loss of confidence. And your horse feels that.

Common Signs of Imbalance

In my coaching sessions and clinics, I regularly meet riders struggling with horses who are either too slow or too fast.

Often, the real issue isn’t the horse - it’s the rider’s balance and tension. When we adjust the rider’s position and help her feel balanced in the saddle, the change in the horse is often immediate:

• Braced, hollow horses soften and stretch.
• High-headed, short-stepping horses begin to relax and move more freely.
• Riders feel their horse giving more - without needing to push, pull, or drive.

The key is soft, shock-absorbing joints - ankles, knees, hips, elbows, and shoulders - that allow you to move with your horse, not against him.

The Simple Exercise: The Half Seat Position

This classic position helps you discover where your body feels balanced and secure - without gripping or tension.

Start on the Ground

Before getting on, practise the half seat position while standing:

• Bend your knees slightly.
• Hinge forward at the hips, keeping your back straight.
• Engage your core and soften your joints.

Feel how your weight is balanced - not tipping forward or leaning back.

On Your Horse (Standing Still)

You will only be able to hold this position when your leg - the foundation of balance - is in the correct place.

Practising the Half Seat at the Walk

Only try this exercise if your horse is calm and safe - or ask a coach or experienced handler to lunge your horse for you so you can focus on your position.

1. Establish a quiet, rhythmic walk.
2. Move into your half seat.
3. Focus on the feeling of down, down, down with each step as your joints absorb the movement.
4. Once you feel stable, lift your hands gently off your horse’s neck (one at a time if needed).

✅ Key Tips:

• Avoid lifting yourself too high - there should be no daylight between you and the saddle.
• Allow your inner thighs to close slightly in front.
• Let your calf softly hug your horse’s barrel.
• Soften your joints as you float your seat bones back.
• Rest your knuckles on your horse’s shoulders as needed.
• Keep wrists straight and fingers closed - this protects your hands and prevents accidental pressure on the reins if you lose your balance.

Try It at the Trot

Once you’re confident at the walk, try the same half seat exercise at a slow trot.

Your goal is not perfection - it’s feeling balanced in the saddle.

This exercise also gives you practice at regaining your balance - so if you do wobble, you learn how to recover quickly and calmly without tensing up or gripping.

With practice, this one simple exercise can improve your posture, reduce tension, and help you feel more confident and connected every time you ride.

Want to take it a step further?
If you're ready to make real improvements in how you feel and move in the saddle, this could be just what you need - my on-demand masterclass: 👉 5 Quick Fixes to Improve Your Horse Riding Posture

You'll leave this 60 minute online class with a greater awareness of your posture - on and off your horse - and 5 simple exercises that will help improve your posture and security in the saddle. So you can enjoy every ride! 

This could be what you're looking for, give it a go!