Strengthen to Succeed: The Power of Land-Based Training for Injury-Prevention Dressage Athletes

Equestrian - Germany’s Jessica Von Bredow-Werndl rides Tsf Dalera BB during the FEI Grand Prix dressage event Jessica Gow/TT News Agency via REUTERS

The ultimate goal of the rider, no matter what the discipline, is to move harmoniously with the horse. This is a monumental task for the central nervous and musculoskeletal systems. Most athletes train outside of the discipline they compete in (e.g., land training for swimmers), yet there is very little evidence of this in equestrian. Like any sport, the goal is to apply specificity to one’s training, which is challenging with equestrian athletes as the exact mechanism of how a rider’s musculoskeletal system can interact and influence the horse is poorly defined, especially at the elite level⁽¹⁾. Another difficulty in researching the horse-rider dyad is the large number of variables that affect the relationship and the ethical challenges in conducting animal research⁽¹⁾.

The ‘ideal’ dressage position has been debated among riders, trainers, and judges for centuries. While there are general principles and guidelines to follow, achieving the perfect dressage position is subjective, influenced by factors such as the rider’s physique, the horse’s conformation, and the specific requirements of the movement or level of competition. Thus, despite ongoing discussions and evolving understanding, a definitive and universally accepted answer to what constitutes the ‘ideal’ dressage position remains elusive.

The Greek Philosopher Xenophon, largely regarded as the father of Equitation Science, wrote in his book, The Art of Horsemanship, over 2350 years ago – “The rider should use his seat to control the horse” and described the now ‘classical seat’ as “not that of a man seated on a chair, but rather the pose of a man standing upright with his legs apart.” Xenophon also said, “The rider should accustom the whole body above the hips to be as supple as possible” ⁽²⁾. 

So what is considered the ideal modern dressage seat?

• The most accepted stable position, where the aids can be applied correctly, is the ear-shoulder-hip-heel line (see figure 1). There is some fair criticism that this is not the only position where a rider can effectively influence the horse, but it is the most widely accepted.
• There should be even pressure on each seat bone. However, when needed, the rider can put slightly more pressure on one seat bone.
• The seat should be independent, meaning the rider is dynamically stable and can move each body part independently. For example, the hands should be able to move independently of the trunk rather than primarily being used to balance the rider by holding on to the horse’s head via the reins⁽³⁾.
• The upper back should remain relatively still while the pelvis moves rhythmically with the horse’s movements⁽⁴⁾. In sitting trot, the pelvis very slightly tucks anteriorly and posteriorly, while in canter, the tilt resembles a rhythmic ‘polishing’ of the saddle seat.
• Experienced riders can improve the consistency of the horse’s movements⁽³⁾.