First Riding Lesson

Once you have gained your balance at the walk, there are some exercises that you can do that will improve your seat.

In the first couple of lessons, try to avoid the kind of exercises that lift you out of the saddle at this early stage (like leaning backwards onto the horse's rump, or bending down and touching your toes) These can be done once you have developed a firm, deep seat.

1. Arms raised slowly sideways and upwards, with palms facing downward, until arms are horizontal. Hold for a few seconds, and then slowly lower them back to your side. Repeat three or four times.
2. Perform above exercise and continue raising arms to point straight up over the head. Repeat three or four times.
3. Firm Hips. Place the palms of the hands on the hips, fingers to the front, elbows outward and in line with the body. Press down.
4. Hands briskly back by your side.
5. Back to no 1 except this time raise the arms straight in front of the body until horizontal. Repeat 3 times.
6. Same as no 2 but with arms raised in front of the body until straight above the head. Repeat 3 times.
7. Hips firm as above, then breathe in and lean the body forward, keeping the body straight and the seat firmly in the saddle. Breathe out, straighten up and lean back slightly, then straighten up to normal position. The movements here will be very slight to begin with, the aim is to keep the body straight and the seat firmly in the saddle.
8. Hips firm. Breathe in, and turn the body from the waist to the left. Breathe out and turn back to the front. Then do the right, and back to the front. The hips and lower body should not move. Later as you get better this and no7 can be done with your arms stretched sideways.
9. Hips firm. Arms stretched sideways. Then swing your arms both together smoothly and rhythmically backwards, upwards, forwards, round and round. Remember to breathe in and out in time with the rhythm.
10. The reverse of no 9
11. Alternately swing one arm front to back the other back to front. Repeat 3-4 times.
12. Bend the arms, so hands as fists are level with the shoulders. Shoot them out briskly to the full length of the arm, fingers out stretched, palms down. First do this sideways, then forwards, then upwards.

These lessons should first be done at the halt.
Progress, when confident, to the walk ( on a lead rein or lunge) and later, when you are really good, try these at the canter.

You can practice these exercises at home without a horse! Simply purchase one of those giant exercise balls. These are excellent for gaining balance. Simply sit astride your "horse" and away you go.

A fence , or wooden horse can also be used.