Here are a few pointers for you to help you and your horse.

Have a go on foot of walking around and making turns to understand what you do with your body to then enable you to do the same when you are riding, for example, if you turn right you advance your right hip and your leg and foot follows so much that then you place your foot down because you have actually stepped in that direction, on the horse do the same, advance your hip when you want to turn, this also allows your horse to move in that direction as you have opened your hip, once you have turned go back to your neutral position.

Synchronise with your horses movement, again think how we walk with our hips, seat bones and our back, we don't thrust our pelvis forward and back in a fixed position, we allow the left side to rise, go forward and then back ready for the next cycle and the same alternatively the other side. To emphasise this even more, sit on the floor with your legs out in front of you and walk forwards on your bottom this is the way you should allow the horse to move you, it will depend on individual horses as to how much they will move you but also it is very important to not move your self believing that you are helping as this can cause tension and rigidity.

Always think proud and keep your body composed so as not to slump and become heavy for the horse to carry, we expect the horse to carry themselves, we must do the same.

With your upwards transition, take a small breath in and breath out as the horse makes the transition this keeps your riding soft and allows forward movement. With your downwards transition take a breathe in, this lifts your body allowing the horses back to lift with you and breathe out once you have made the transition.

If you have elbows correctly by your side if the horse pulls he will pull you into the saddle .If this is not the case you need to make adjustments to your position and ensure you have adequate body control.

Adjust your reins to your position do not adjust your position to your reins.

A break in the wrist can interrupt the communication down the rein to your horses mouth. Hold your hand as if you are holding the reins then place your knuckles into the heel of your other hand, press slightly, this is how you must contain your hand/wrist position.

Don't forget that your hands belong to the horse and allow the horses body to advance into the rein. Inflate your upper body and ensure you are carrying your ribcage correctly above your pelvis.

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