The geometry of the angles of the rider's body on the saddle
In the sitting position of the rider, there are four main angles that are essential for effective influence on the horse through specific aids.
The correct angles also improve your elasticity, balance, and stability.
Your overall position on the saddle is the result of these four angles.
Just as each part in a well-oiled machine has its role, each angle has a specific function, and all angles work in harmony with one another.
These angles are formed at the ankle, knee, hip, and elbow.
Ankle 1.
To achieve the correct angle at the ankle, place the toe of the foot diagonally on the stirrup; so that the outer branch of the stirrup is slightly ahead of the inner branch, and the little toe is close to the outer branch.
Your heel should be lower than the toe of the foot.
2.
The foot should be slightly turned outward; similar to the natural walking position.
The average of this angle is about 15 degrees.
This position allows the entire inner part of your calf to be in contact with the side of the horse, maximizing connection and stability.
3.
Mistake: If you turn your foot too far outward, you will use the back of the calf instead of the inner part; an issue that weakens your leg position and grip above the knee and several inches below it.
4.
Mistake: If you turn your foot too far inward, your foot will move away from the horse's body; consequently, sufficient contact is lost, and your stability decreases.
To achieve the correct angle at the ankle, place the toe of the foot diagonally on the stirrup; so that the outer branch of the stirrup is slightly ahead of the inner branch, and the little toe is close to the outer branch.
This position provides flexibility at the ankle; a joint that acts as a shock absorber when landing after a jump.
The heel should be lower than the toe of the foot; a position that elongates the foot, maximizes its contact area with the sides of the horse, and makes the foot act stronger and more effectively.
Avoid pressing your heel down too much, as this causes stiffness and reduces ankle flexibility.
Raising the heel — which is an instinctive reaction when riding a lazy horse — shortens the foot and reduces its effectiveness.
Of course, this does not mean that a rider with a shorter foot is weaker than a rider with a longer foot.
I can name many "short-legged" riders who have very strong and effective legs, and conversely, many long-legged riders who perform weakly.
In this discussion, we are talking about the ideal position.
The foot should be slightly turned outward; similar to the natural walking position.
The average of this angle is about 15 degrees.
This position allows the entire inner part of your calf to be in contact with the side of the horse, maximizing connection and stability.
If you turn your foot too far outward, you will use the back of the leg instead of the inner part; an issue that disrupts your leg position and grip above the knee and several inches below the knee.
Turning the toe of the foot too far inward moves your foot away from the horse, reduces contact, and disrupts your balance and security.
Knee 1.
If you intend to jump with the horse, when seated in the saddle, the angle behind your knee should be about 90 degrees.
This position allows you to sufficiently distance yourself from the saddle and the back of the horse while jumping and galloping.
2.
To achieve a 90-degree angle behind the knee, while in a halt, remove your feet from the stirrups and let them hang freely beside the stirrup leathers and slightly behind the saddle.
The stirrup treads should be level with your ankles.
3.
Incorrect: If the stirrups are too short and reduce the angle behind your knee to less than 90 degrees, your balance will be at risk, as you may unintentionally be thrown up from the saddle.
Also, having stirrups that are too short reduces the contact of your feet with the horse.
4.
Incorrect: If the stirrups are too long and as a result, the knee angle exceeds 90 degrees, maintaining the two-point position will become difficult for you.
This makes it harder to follow the horse's movement with your body when jumping over an obstacle.
The second critical angle in the rider's position is the angle behind the knee.
For jumping with a horse, this angle should be about 90 degrees when you are seated in the saddle.
This position allows you to be far enough from the saddle and the back of the horse while cantering and jumping.
To create this angle, while in a halt, remove your feet from the stirrups and let them hang freely beside the stirrup leathers and slightly behind the saddle.
The stirrup treads should be level with your ankles.
For flatwork, we usually make the stirrups one or two holes longer than this measurement.
In the two-point position, your hip angle is closed; so that your upper body is about 30 degrees ahead of the vertical line.
To achieve this position, bend at the hip joint so that your seat barely leaves the saddle.
When you pull your spine upwards, the hip angle is open; a position also referred to as "on the vertical line."
The third angle is the hip angle.
This angle is defined as the angle between the upper leg or thigh and the body.
When you pull your spine upwards, this angle is considered "open"; a position that is also referred to as close to the vertical line or on the vertical line.
When you lean forward from the hip joint, this angle is considered "closed."
Depending on what you are doing, you need to have control over this angle.
For example, when you want to increase the engagement of the horse's hindquarters, you sit in the saddle.
Depending on the desired degree of collection, you sit deeper and position yourself close to or on the vertical line, effectively using your seat as a driving aid to make the horse's hind legs more active and step further under its body.
In cantering and jumping with a horse, it is necessary for your seat to be separated from the saddle and to lean forward from the hip joint at varying degrees.
Depending on the horse's speed, you need to lift your weight off its back to make its forward movement easier and to allow you to keep up with its motion more comfortably.
At the walk, the rider sits on the saddle and maintains an open and vertical hip angle.
In a light trot and sitting trot, the upper body is slightly ahead of the vertical line.
The same applies to the canter, except when the horse is jumping or cantering.
In these situations, the seat slightly separates from the saddle and the hip angle closes slightly more; about 30 degrees.
During a jump, the horse closes your hip angle due to the arc it creates when passing over an obstacle.
Your elbows should be relaxed, slightly bent, and positioned slightly in front of your body.
The fourth and final angle is located at the junction of the forearm and upper arm.
This angle acts like a smooth hinge; it provides freedom of movement and helps control the rhythm.
Your arms and hands also control the position of the horse's head and its direction.
How open or closed this angle is depends on what you are doing with the horse and also on your body structure.
What is more important than a specific number is that this angle allows you to follow the horse's movement.
To achieve the right angle, you should keep your hands above the horse's withers and slightly in front of it so that a straight line is created from the horse's mouth to your elbow.
This position provides the most direct and effective communication.
Your arms should have some flexibility and your hands should be soft so that you can move with the horse.
Your hands should remain on the same straight line so that the bit acts softly in the corners of the horse's mouth.
You should not bring your hands lower than this straight line, as in that case the bit will rest on the horse's toothless gums; an uncomfortable position that will cause the horse to avoid contact with your hands.
On the other hand, if your hands are above this line, they are also too high and can cause discomfort.
The wrists should be straight, so that the forearms and the backs of the hands create a continuous and unbroken surface.
When these four angles are correctly established, not only does the classic and correct riding image take shape, but the rider can also act efficiently.
To create forwardness, you need to keep the horse in front of the leg and generate energy.
When you use the leg correctly and maintain contact with the horse's mouth at the same time, you will have a horse that moves in front of the leg and works correctly on the bit with proper training.
Controlling the horse's base—from lengthening and shortening strides to executing lateral movements—can only be achieved when the rider can use aids both independently and simultaneously.
If you watch any class, from the 3-foot-6-inch equitation final to a grand prix, you will see that all these angles are applied in practice.
When you watch successful riders, you will see that each of the mentioned angles is used either independently or simultaneously alongside other aids.
Holly Hugo-Vidal, who spent her formative years in Westchester County, New York, trained with the legendary horseman George Morris, who instilled in her the belief in strong fundamentals and the pursuit of excellence.
She, along with her former husband, Victor Hugo-Vidal, ran the successful Cedar Lodge Farm show jumping club in Stamford, Connecticut, and learned many lessons from Victor's ability to help anyone motivated to achieve their goals.
Her next coach in show jumping was Rodney Jenkins, who taught her how to read horses and instill a desire to please in them.
These days, Holly works at Pacific Blue Show Jumping in Del Mar, California, with a small group of juniors and adults and judges and conducts clinics across the country.
She is also the author of the book "Build Confidence Over Jumps!" co-written with Sue Copeland.
The photos in this article are taken from her book.
To purchase it, visit www.HorseBooksEtc.com.
This article was first published in the August 2013 issue of Practical Horseman magazine.
Source: Practical Horseman – Training