The neutral position, that is to say balanced on the stirrups, is the fundamental basic work “par excellence” to improve one’s balance and the way our body functions when jumping, without hampering the horse. It is a fundamental prerequisite and should be perfectly mastered before seeking to sit down in between jumps (sitting balance).
The neutral position is when the rider is balanced over his stirrups, hips flexed, and shoulders slightly forward. Also called “two point position” or “forward seat”, it lightens the weight over the horse’s back allowing him to jump with more freedom of movement, more easily and smoothly.
How to adopt the neutral position?
If your stirrups are too long the forward seat will quickly become exhausting. If your reins are too long, you will have a tendency to pull on the horse’s mouth to maintain your own balance, and you will act more with your hands than with your body. Start by shortening stirrups and reins.
The stirrup tread should reach no lower than the ankle bone.
Adjusting the reins
The reins should be adjusted so that the hands are always in front of the withers, close to the horse’s shoulders. You should be able to see your hands without looking down.
Taking up a neutral position or forward seat
From a halt and from a sitting position, lift your bottom out of the saddle as if rising to the trot and stay out of the saddle supported by the stirrups and through correctly distributing the weight of your upper body. You will easily maintain this two point position if, as when squatting, you let you seat move back on flexed hips, and consequently let your shoulders move forward.
Riding in a neutral position is an excellent educational exercise for the rider, to help him acquire or improve his balance on his stirrups with a view to jumping, and without hampering the horse’s movements. Being able to do everything while in this position will guarantee a genuine sense of balance which is essential for any rider whatever his level or discipline.
Exercise variations and progression
Stage 1: start by working on the flat
Practice in walk and trot
Take advantage of warm-up time at a walk and trot to practice the forward seat or neutral position. Since this position requires you to mobilize ankles, calves, thighs and back, it is also a good warm-up for you as a rider (to get your body ready to act) and will help tone your muscles.
Often, it is upon landing that you are the most likely to lose the neutral position, because of the jump. Therefore, as soon as you land, make sure your reins are the same length as they were initially, and get back into your position of balance on the stirrups. Your horse will also then keep his own balance and forward movement.
Stage 3: confirm over whole course of jumps
When you are comfortable over one or several small jumps, practice riding a whole course without touching the saddle. The neutral position should not however stop you from acting. In fact, it is because you are in a neutral position, that you can resist with your body, you can even go as far as to straighten up by moving your buttocks back, and straightening your shoulders if necessary.
Take breaks! Seeking to maintain the forward seat is tiring from a muscular point of view at the beginning. Take advantage of the resting periods to consciously relax certain parts of your body. Relax your back by going back to a fully sitting seat. Take your feet out of the stirrups, and swing your legs to and fro, toes pointing downwards. This will relax your thigh muscles. Draw circles with your feet to relax your ankles, as they have also been solicited by the neutral position.
Success criteria to be observed by the trainer
A neutral hand
A neutral hand is first and foremost the result of good balance. The hand should permanently establish a soft contact with the horse’s mouth. It will allow the movement to “flow freely” or on the other hand will channel or oppose (resist) it, without pulling.
Throughout the exercise, the rider should demonstrate a certain ease and facility. In harmony with the horse, relaxed, and supple joints...The rider should be able to maintain this neutral position without falling back into the saddle, accompanying the horse and not hanging onto the horse’s mouth (by pulling on the reins to keep his balance).
Problems encountered and solutions
Hand problems
The rider’s balance has repercussions on the quality of contact with the mouth. Lack of balance is therefore synonymous with an inappropriate hand action: reins getting longer, harsh hand hanging on to the horse’s mouth….
The best way to obtain a neutral hand is to forget it
To do so, tie a knot in your reins about halfway up the horse’s neck. Forget your hands and concentrate on what your hands are attached to: your shoulders and arms, which should be as relaxed as when they’re hanging by your side. Make yourself relax them as much as possible. To feel this relaxation, straighten your arms and then relax them to feel the natural bend in the elbow joint, and then maintain this bend. If you over bend your elbows you would be pulling.
Hold your reins in your whole hand, just close thumb and forefinger, keep the other fingers relaxed and open. Your thumbs should be in constant contact with the knot in the reins. Do not hesitate to readjust it if necessary. By doing this your hands are placed on the reins once and for all: there is no left or right hand just “the hand”, and you’re no longer thinking about it. You will control the pace with your body, and you will dare to move your seat backwards as you straighten up. By making yourself adopt a length of rein and then not think about your hands, you will be able to concentrate on the rest and will find it much easier to relax your arms (therefore your hands). You will be much more effective when slowing the horse, and will feel less tired as your hand will be more stable, without the effort of having to hold and keep your reins at the same length. Variations on this exercise are by bridging the reins once or twice over the horse’s neck.
Leg problems
As for the upper half of the body, your legs must also be relaxed. If you tighten your knees on the saddle, and your legs are too far forward or too far back… this shows that you are tense, and you will hamper your horse’s movements. Always remember to keep your knee joint supple and relaxed.
Know more about our authors
Translated from french by : Karen DUFFY Translator
Nelly GENOUX Development engineer IFCE
Nicolas SANSON Formateur et entraîneur indépendant - ancien écuyer du Cadre noir de Saumur et directeur adjoint du Pôle de la Formation Professionnelle et Sportive (PFPS) de l'IFCE
