he degree of control we have over the horse from the saddle depends on the rider's command of the seat aids. The seat is a physical or direct aid because it involves a direct contact between horse and rider. A shortcoming in the training of many riders is the relatively superficial treatment of the influence of the rider's weight in the saddle. The correct seat is based on the principle that a rider must at all times have her center of gravity over that of the horse's, regardless of the gait in which the horse is traveling, the type of movement which the rider is asking the horse to perform or the type of seat (i.e. rising or sitting, light or deep). The security and certitude of the correct seat come from an independent balance, which a rider gets when he is able to keep the three points of her seat in the saddle continuously. This should be seen as one of the rider's most important goals.

Once the seat and the rider's weight are able to be used as an aid, they must then be used with proper timing to have the full effect on the horse. It is very important that the rider be continuously aware of the relationship between the behavior of the horse and the influence of her seat because when a rider can apply her seat aids and use her weight to aid the horse, it is possible to achieve real harmony with the horse. Practice shows us time and again that most horses will deal with the disturbances of the unbalanced rider goodheartedly if it doesn't interfere too harshly with the horse's ability to move. However, he will be truly thankful and rewarding to the rider who, by trying to melt herself into her horse, allows him to move naturally and freely.