| It is important when discovering your balance, to apply | | | | horse.The reins are like the steering wheel of a car, |
| equal amount of pressure on both for left and right | | | | this and your legs are the crucial elements in |
| gluteal muscles, this will ensure you are not leaning | | | | communicating with the horse to where you want to |
| more towards one direction. Once you have found | | | | go. |
| your balance, and have your feet in the stirrups you | | | | Hold one rein in each hand, an inch or two in front of |
| must learn the proper position to hold the reins in. Your | | | | the saddle, and two or three inches above, so your |
| psoas and illiocaus muscles of your torso should be | | | | arms will be around a 30 degree angle. To cue the |
| flexed as well as your abdominals and obliques. | | | | horse to walk forward, it can be either based off the |
| The psoas, engaged with the rectus abdominal holds | | | | use of verbal instructions, or on the squeeze of your |
| you into the center of the saddle so that your two | | | | thigh muscles. Your rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, and |
| seat bones are connected to the horse's back | | | | vastus medialis are the key muscles being used to cue |
| muscles on either side of his spine.. This element will | | | | the horse to walk forward by a contracting motion of |
| keep you from sliding from side to side in the saddle, | | | | these three thigh muscles. |
| allowing you to find your balance in the center of the | | | | |