Best riding tip you ever had

[SnakesForPM]

I'm returning to riding now I have more time (I never fully stopped, but eased off a lot over the years). I'd love to hear your most helpful riding tip or tips that you've been given (or read, or whatever).

I was told (years ago) to pretend I'm stirring a cup of tea in a delicate cup (with a teaspoon), with the ring finger of my inside rein. The visualisation really helped me understand the subtly and softness, yet effectiveness needed. It's actually hard to explain but it helps me!

i think it was a Mary Wanless book where I read to hold the reins like you'd hold a baby bird to stop it escaping.

I would love to hear other people's gems which help them to remember certain things. Sometimes it only takes something to be said in a certain way and it can change so much about how you ride.

From Ruby Ferguson.

Hands down, head up.
Heels down, heart up.
Knees close to your ponies side.
Elbows close to your own.

Soft knees. That’s literally it. But people grip grip grip and it affects balance tremendously.

Ahh, love this. Loved these books. This would be a good wall quote 😄

An older riding instructor recently advised asking my daughter to hold a leaves between her knees and the saddle and try to keep them there. She couldn't do it, which I was pleased about as she has a lovely, natural, soft seat. Obviously, being English I couldn't say it didn't think that was good advice 😄

Look where you’re going and breathe - both seem obvious (but surprisingly easy to forget)

Breathe and look where you want to go.

Forgive your horse if he has an off day - we all do.

Respect and firmness, but thank you and kindness

If you're tense or your horse is tense, talk to them. Even if you talk absolute crap or sing random songs. If you're talking, you're breathing.

I try and remember to do the talking thing especially when out hacking. I must sound like an idiot to everyone else but I like to think it helps me and the horse!

What's in the brain goes down the reins.

Think about the muscles and power in a horse's neck. You will never be able to get it to lift it's head if it's eating grass or to move by force because it's much stronger than you.
It's all about your authority and relationship with the horse.

My daughter is told to hold her hands up 🙆‍♀️

A really deep seat comes from years of hard work without stirrups or failing that, doing your groundwork with long stirrups to lengthen your legs.

Everything else is style and that changes over time. You only have to look at photos of top riders from years ago to see the differences in style, but the one thing they all have in common is a really deep safe seat.

A deep seat gives you a much better feeling for the horse and more refined control, leading to less reliance on the reins.