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Sitting in the Horse's Centre of Gravity – No Problem With the Right Saddle
How and where the saddle places the rider on the horse's back is actually just as important as the saddle's fit. In this context, people often talk about sitting in the centre of gravity.
What does that mean? And why is it actually so important? Here comes a slightly longer explanation. Please bear with us!
What does that mean? And why is it actually so important? Here comes a slightly longer explanation. Please bear with us!
Sitting in the Centre of Gravity with Iberosattel® – Table of Contents
Saddle in the Centre of Gravity or Sitting in the Horse's Centre of Gravity?
Statements like:
- The saddle isn't in the centre of gravity.
- The saddle's centre of gravity is too far back.
- The rider has to find the centre of gravity.
- The horse steps under the centre of gravity.
are so unclear because "centre of gravity" has a different meaning in almost every statement.
Let's clear it up:
- When people say the "saddle should be in the centre of gravity", they usually mean that the curve of the saddle matches the horse's back and the saddle doesn't rock.
- The "saddle's centre of gravity" refers to its lowest point.
The centre of gravity the rider has to find, and the one the horse steps under, refer to something else again: namely, the horse's so-called centre of mass. More on that in a moment.
The horse's so-called centre of mass is especially important. — Statements about the centre of gravity can refer to different things.
Did You Know? A Horse Is Not a Table...
If you step onto a table, it doesn't really matter where you do it … (although you and the table could start to tip if you try it right at the outer edge). If, on the other hand, you step onto a horizontally balanced see-saw, there's exactly one point – the central one – where the see-saw doesn't lose its balance under the rider's weight.
A horse has four legs and, in that respect, is a bit like the table – but thanks to the mobility of its skeleton, also a bit like the see-saw. If you sit on it, you throw the horse off balance – unless you sit on the point that corresponds to the central point of the see-saw: the horse's centre of gravity or centre of mass.
A horse has four legs and, in that respect, is a bit like the table – but thanks to the mobility of its skeleton, also a bit like the see-saw. If you sit on it, you throw the horse off balance – unless you sit on the point that corresponds to the central point of the see-saw: the horse's centre of gravity or centre of mass.
The horse's centre of gravity is the point where the rider can (theoretically) sit without throwing the horse off balance. — Just like on a see-saw.
Where the Horse's Centre of Gravity Lies … and Why Gymnasticising Is So Important
Here lies the dilemma that every rider has to solve for themselves and their horse: the centre of gravity of a standing horse, unaffected by a rider, is normally located somewhere in the shoulder area – a good way in front of and below the saddle area … so it's initially, practically speaking, impossible for the rider to sit in the horse's centre of gravity.
But the horse's centre of gravity is variable: if the horse changes its posture – for example while moving – the centre of gravity shifts too.
The rider's influence can also cause the horse to shift its centre of gravity: a little way back and up, towards the rider. The postural changes required for this – such as engaging the hindquarters, rounding the back and raising the head – are, for good reason, important goals of gymnasticising. The closer the horse's and the rider's centres of gravity come together during movement, the better the horse can carry you, and the more balanced and secure your seat will be.
Shifting the horse's centre of gravity towards the rider: the better this succeeds, the less the horse is thrown off balance by the rider. — That's the goal of gymnasticising.
Why the Rider's Weight Shifts Control the Horse
Imagine you're sitting in the middle of a see-saw. If you do it skilfully, you can set the see-saw in motion through the tiniest shifts of your body weight. It works roughly the same way on a horse – although the horse is, of course, a much more active partner in this interaction than a rigid wooden beam.
When you shift your body weight – for example by leaning forward or back, loading one seat bone more than the other, or tilting your pelvis – you can deliberately throw your horse slightly off balance. The horse will then try to regain its balance – and in doing so, if you've done everything right, perform the movements you wanted.
And when you don't want to influence your horse right now – for example, because it should simply maintain its direction and speed – it's best to follow the small, movement-related shifts of the horse's centre of gravity with your own body: if you move in sync with the horse, it won't be constantly irritated by your influence.
When you shift your body weight – for example by leaning forward or back, loading one seat bone more than the other, or tilting your pelvis – you can deliberately throw your horse slightly off balance. The horse will then try to regain its balance – and in doing so, if you've done everything right, perform the movements you wanted.
And when you don't want to influence your horse right now – for example, because it should simply maintain its direction and speed – it's best to follow the small, movement-related shifts of the horse's centre of gravity with your own body: if you move in sync with the horse, it won't be constantly irritated by your influence.
Deliberate shifts of body weight move the rider's centre of gravity relative to the horse's centre of gravity. — The centre of gravity influences the horse's movement.
Good riders do all of this quite intuitively. But once you start thinking and talking about it, the concept of the centre of gravity comes into play. The prerequisite for the so-called fine aids to work is a balanced seat: you mustn't throw the horse significantly off balance simply by being on its back – in other words, you need to sit (as close as possible) in the horse's centre of gravity.
How the Right Saddle Can Help
How easy or difficult horse and rider find the centre of gravity depends, among other things, on where and how the saddle positions the rider. Ideally like this:
- As far forward as possible (but of course not on the shoulder!)
- In a relaxed, neutral seat, as vertical as possible, without tipping forward or back.
How Iberosattel® Makes It Easier for the Rider to Sit in the Centre of Gravity
Iberosattel® supports sitting in the centre of gravity through a modular system that allows every rider to find the seat position that suits them and their horse. We fit every saddle so that it sits on the horse's back without rocking – positioning you as close to the horse's centre of gravity as the saddle area allows. What helps us achieve this:
- The individual padding of our saddles, which we adapt to the curve of the horse.
- The use of saddle trees with different curves: flat, semi-flat or deep.
- The EWF saddle tree developed by Iberosattel®, which allows more freedom of movement for the horse's shoulder and withers in difficult cases.
Even with an unfavourable saddle area, we have ways to position you as close as possible to the centre of gravity. — When fitting our saddles, we also pay special attention to your seat position.
What Our Customers Say About Their Iberosattel®
Nicole T. with Ibero Amazona Comfort: "I'm overjoyed to have made this decision."
"During dressage work, in the arena and even after a three-hour trail ride, it's super comfortable and simply wonderful to sit in. The colour is also just fantastic and we turn heads everywhere. I'm overjoyed to have made this decision. I'd like to thank you again for the friendly and competent advice."
Tanja S.
"The saddle is very comfortable to sit in and my Friesian loves it too. With it, she snorts and relaxes soon after I mount, releases her back after a short time, and it has changed for the better once again since I've had my Dressage Andaluz."
Hotline: 09179 / 964117
Wither Freedom
World First: No Head Iron on the Horse
More freedom for a high wither: by integrating the head plate into the saddle tree, the EWF System offers more freedom for the withers (with high, pronounced withers) and more freedom for the shoulder (no iron to obstruct the shoulder cartilage sliding under the saddle).
All-Rounder for Leisure Riding and Dressage
Wide, Short Padding for Dressage and Trail Riding
With the original wide Comfort Pad in the standard or the extra-short Compact version, you get one saddle equally suited to dressage and trail riding:
Comfort Pad >>
Comfort Compact Pad >>
Comfort Pad >>
Comfort Compact Pad >>