Lately I’ve been struggling with sitting in the saddle, like when the horse stops I pop up out of the saddle and I have no clue why or when she lopes I can’t seem to sit!! This has just recently become a problem and I’ve never had any issues with it before, and I’m using the same tack and riding the same horse… can anyone give me any tips on how to sit deeper in the saddle and being more balanced? My heels are down and I have good posture, it’s just lately it’s become a problem and I can’t seem to sit my butt in the saddle! Thanks in advance!
Hands up and sit on your butt.
Also lunging lessons without stirrups does wonders.
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As above, get some longe line lessons with exercises to gain better balance so you will go with the motion of the horse.
Your instructor should have all kinds of ways to get you past that problem.
You may be bracing with your feet/legs and that pops you right out of the saddle.
Try relaxing your legs, drop the stirrups and ride for a little with your feet loose, see what happens then.
If you have a suitable horse and small, secure place to ride, try riding for a little bareback.
In our riding center, we had broom polo fun times that would help riders become more secure in their seat by working with a goal and forgetting their position, so they relaxed.
So, try doing other than just riding along, ride with a goal, maybe thru pole grids, around cones, so you have to pay attention to other and loosen up, not try to ride correctly so hard you get stiff and bounce.
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Is the horse out of balance? That will cause saddle popping. Rear girth?
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Has your horse changed shape in recent weeks/months that might be causing the saddle to not fit as well? Seems odd that you are suddenly struggling to keep your butt in your saddle.
I recently started riding in my mare in her english saddle, and found that while I tend to pop up at the canter in my western saddle in my english saddle my butt is glued to the saddle without any problems. The only thing I can figure is that my stirrups are shorter so I am more balanced. Maybe try taking your stirrups up a hole?
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^^^This, but a rear girth is not the answer. The horse is tight, bracey and hollow through her back, which makes it hard to sit. OP you need to work on her lifting through her back at the walk and trot, and just leave her alone at the lope. Whatever problems you were having back with the bit thread are still there and getting worse. I suspect you need to go back to some ground work and get her responding to simple cues in a quiet relaxed manner then get back on and repeat. IIRC, you are doing western dressage. I think you are being inconsistent in your pressure and cues and she is getting more confused and anxious about it.
As others mention, it could be the horse changed the way it moves, for who knows what reason.
While it could be there is something off with the horse, or the fit of the saddle, or how you ride, also remember that a horse that may have been just cruising along smoothly, or the rider is learning to ask more of the horse, when asked to become more engaged, some become smoother, some more active and so, with more impulsion, you have to learn to follow that bigger motion, or you start bouncing.
Best to have someone on the spot, that knows what they are seeing, watch you and your horse and see what they think is happening.
Are you recently stressing over something that might be making you stiff and tight? Not only can that cause you not to sit deep, it can cause your horse to move different from normal.
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My trainer always told me to think of rolling your hips forward and sitting on your back pockets. Obviously, saddle fit and horse balance are other things to address as other identified, but if it’s a rider thing, that always was a helpful instruction for me.
Don’t push so hard on your heels. Would bet you are pushing, standing on your toes instead of just relaxing your heel and letting the weight sink. Kick your feet out if the stirrups, let your hips loosen up and sort of do the hula or a bump and grind as your hips follow the rocking motion of the canter. Try letting your stirrups down a hole or two as well.
Rear girth??? I don’t think so…why?
