How to sit without being TOO heavy with your seat bones

The video focuses on correcting a common mistake among riders: having a seat that's too static or heavy. Thomas Ritter explains that an effective riding seat is dynamic and flexible, moving in harmony with the horse. He emphasizes adjusting weight distribution and seat movement to enhance the horse's balance, flexibility, and overall performance. The key is to experiment with lightening or deepening the seat, depending on the horse's movement, to improve engagement and communication. Riders should adapt based on the horse's needs throughout the ride. Thomas demonstrates how small adjustments can make a big difference in your riding. If you find this helpful, don't forget to like, subscribe, and comment with any questions or topics you'd like us to cover next!
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Thomas & Shana Ritter - www.artisticdressage.com
Now located in Portugal, Thomas is an International Clinician and author of "Dressage Principles based on Biomechanics" and "Long Reining: From the Beginning through the Levade" (published by Cadmos Press in both English and German) and countless articles in many publications. Shana is a USDF Bronze and Silver Medalist. Together they create and orchestrate the Artistic Dressage program.
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[@zoramuney]

Please make more demonstration videos like this! I found the visuals and explanations of what you’re feeling extremely helpful!

[@BeaKing-ob7fq]

Please make more of these - so important. Weighting of stirrups and balance would be great. Such a clear demonstration thank you for taking the time to do this and share

[@ArtisticDressage]

Will do! Thank you for the feedback!

[@ruthb6873]

Thank you for this video. Excellent, clear demonstration of the sensitivity of our horses in response to our weight aid,and the importance of paying attention to ourselves first,before jumping to the conclusion that it's the horse who has the issue.

[@ArtisticDressage]

Thank you. Yes, sometimes it is the horse, but often it is the rider causing the horse's reaction. It makes sense to look to ourselves first before - as you said - jumping to the conclusion that it is the horse who has the issue.

[@corinnaschmid-bindl707]

Nice explanation for very underestimated or ignored issue

[@ArtisticDressage]

Thank you. Glad you agree!!

[@mjchm100]

Very good instruction on sitting trot aids, I have never seen it explained/demonstrated in this very educational way before! I struggle with this due to some old pelvis injuries but will try these tips with my mare, she tends to slow down in sitting trot and now I think I understate what I need to try when I work on this!!! Thank you so much!!

[@ArtisticDressage]

Glad it makes sense. Try it out and see how it works for you and your horse.

[@wendylow5748]

I love your talk at the end it's all about the horse. Love this video.

[@minky7252]

I have a video of a clinic riding with you in USA demonstrating this exact experimenting of weight and feel. This, more than anything else has helped me with every horse. Mine are self trained.

[@ArtisticDressage]

Wonderful that you have that on video!

[@karinerikssonhjelm9170]

This is really great! I watch it before riding.

[@rjb9886]

Appreciated this content. I’d love to see this kind of explanation about weighting a stirrup. I never heard about seat bones until I’d been riding 20+ years and am amazed when riders know which leg is where by feel. (That could be another cool video). Thanks for the video.

[@ArtisticDressage]

Great suggestion! Thank you! We will try to put that together for some upcoming videos.

[@Bevielovey2]

❤❤

[@katharinadittus3315]

So refreshing to see a relaxed horse going well 🙏

[@ArtisticDressage]

Thank you!

[@sandrawhisler1545]

Thanks. I also enjoy your book.

[@ArtisticDressage]

Thank you!

[@angelawolgast2960]

Beautifully explained ❤

[@ArtisticDressage]

Thanks a lot 😊

[@kchajka]

Thank you! I need to unblock myself as im blocking my horses movement thank you again for this and anything on this topic!

[@ArtisticDressage]

Great! If you like this sort of thing, we will try to make more videos like this!!

[@lorrainebottreau8791]

You have lovely position. And your explanation is super clear. I am a coach and it is so useful for both myself and my students as hard to explain the light seat.

[@petramichels7292]

Vielen Dank. Habe es heute probiert. Mein Pferd ist gerne hinter den Hilfen. Somit kann ich es nicht so gut nachreiten.
Aber, ich könnte mir vorstellen, dass dies nach und nach klappt.
Sehr wertvolle Übung.

[@ArtisticDressage]

Danke!!!

[@kimnenninger7226]

Very good video but I will have to watch it a few times.

[@ArtisticDressage]

Great! You can do that, luckily!! :-)

[@betsysmall3576]

Great video!!

[@Alex-horsman]

Very useful information for me!! I am happy, that I found your channel today! Thanks!!

[@ArtisticDressage]

Thank you for that feedback!

[@janetgerl893]

Thank you. Great presentation. I love the encouragement for riders to “think” feel and experiment.

[@ArtisticDressage]

Thank you. That is very important to us.

[@sallymcgraw3147]

Thank you😊

[@ArtisticDressage]

You're welcome!

[@sandragrenz7694]

Awesome!

[@ArtisticDressage]

Thanks!

[@suebeavisnhccontact1731]

Thank you very much. Really appreciate all thehelp . Regards from Spain.

[@ArtisticDressage]

Glad to hear you found it helpful. Thank you!!

[@emilycorwith1119]

Such a nice demonstration and lovely horse.

[@ArtisticDressage]

Thank you!

[@martzenvandenbroek]

Jeebus, I've been riding like this for ages and everybody was like, you're not sitting deep enough in your horse❤❤❤❤

[@ArtisticDressage]

Yes, this has been the advice du jour for some time, but not all advice suits every situation or horse/rider pair.

[@laureradloff3804]

More like this!

[@ArtisticDressage]

okay!!! Thank you!

[@kathleenkayk]

Beautiful demo. Thank you! New subscriber today.

[@ArtisticDressage]

Welcome to our channel! Thank you!
+

[@kmsreenan]

Very helpful discussion and demo- I will watch this several times! Currently working on this myself, still trying to figure out how my mare wants to be ridden!

[@ArtisticDressage]

That's the key! Glad you found it helpful!

[@rebeccalassbacher5247]

Thanks

[@ArtisticDressage]

You're welcome!

[@CamillaHjalti]

very nice video! Thanks!

[@ArtisticDressage]

Thank you!

[@taniaspencer3966]

Great video thank you ❤

[@ArtisticDressage]

Thank you!

[@lauracox4009]

Thank you. How can I get my horse lighter in the bridle while keeping him round. He can do about on e half of a circle at trot with good connection then his head pops up.

[@katiethiry]

Curious; what breed is this beautiful horse?

[@ArtisticDressage]

Thank you. He's a PSL (Lusitano).

[@katherinekirby8667]

can you do this in a posting trot?

[@loredelore7286]

This is what young folks are not being taught.

[@linas7266]

Is this Spain ? Is this a Spanish horse ?

[@terrido]

They are in Portugal. This lovely boy is an iberian breed, I believe he is an Andalusian.

[@Flightwithoutwings]

​@terrido Portugal have Lusitano horses similar to the Andalusian.

[@ArtisticDressage]

We are in Portugal and this is a Lusitano.

[@carolorwig5788]

People look up to you. Set an example and wear protective headgear I. Your videos.