Horse glossary
Seat
How you sit and balance in the saddle.
In Spanish: Asiento
What it means
Your seat is how you sit in the saddle: the position of your pelvis and seat bones, and how you balance and move with the horse. Riders talk about a "good" or "independent" seat, meaning you stay balanced without gripping with your legs or holding on with your hands.
Why it matters
The seat is the base for all other cues. A balanced seat lets you use your hands and legs gently and separately, and horses notice even small changes in how the rider sits.
Example
A quiet seat helps the horse stay calm.
Try this
Imagine a straight line from your ear through your shoulder and hip down to your heel. Sit on both seat bones evenly, keep your back tall but not stiff, and breathe.
Common mistake
Gripping with your knees when you feel unsteady actually pushes you up and out of the saddle. Relax your legs and let your weight drop down into your heels instead.