06/30/2024
Defensive riding is rarely taught today as many riders and trainers have become complacent about the risks of riding. The top image is of Brooke Hodgson at Devon in 1968. She demonstrates a mild "C" position in an independent seat and following hands with the straight line from the bit to her elbow. The photographs document the turning point from the former American horsemanship standard of riding in the Balanced or Fort Riley Seat to the current Hunter Seat with its crest release, etc.
Independent seat means the rider has independent balance with their base of support in the stirrups. The independent nature of the rider's balance allows the rider to follow and be moved by the horse's motion. That is key, independent rider balance is in unity of movement with their horse.
Leaning on a horse's neck is not a shared movement with an independent seat but rather a merged balance in the rider dependent on their horse's balance. For example, should the horse's forehand collapse on landing, the rider is completely at the mercy of that collapse. The same is true if the horse were to stumble and fall in the strides following the landing. Dependent balances are dangerous.
By contrast, if the rider's horse at the top were to collapse or stumble, the rider, with their feet forward in the "C" position, could immediately rebalance herself.
The lower left is a US Cavalry rider in a "C" position ready to deal with whatever comes of the landing. I was taught the defensive "C" position as a child. From the beginning of my instruction, I learned defensive riding slides and over obstacles while riding terrain. I learned following hands using a neck or jumping strap that moved up and down my horse's neck. This allowed me to follow my horse's head movement with my hands holding the reins. Defensive riding techniques like the "C" position and following hands can be taught to children to make them safer riders.
*The bottom right rider is a well known retire international competitor. I used this picture recently and some younger commenters, who are unaware of the "C" position, thought I was trying to embarrass this rider. Defensive riding techniques are no longer commonly taught, and this is very dangerous.
