Mastering Force Absorption: The Key to Better Riding
As riders, we often focus on posture, but one easily overlooked skill is force absorption—how our bodies handle the motion and impact of riding. Learning to absorb force well can improve your balance, comfort, and even your horse’s experience. Here’s why it matters and how it can transform your ride.
Think of force absorption like a sponge versus a table. When you hit a sponge, it moves and adapts, distributing the pressure throughout its structure. But when you hit a rigid table with the same force, the table doesn’t absorb or move with the impact, and your hand likely feels it instead—often with discomfort. Your body functions best in riding like a sponge, moving and adapting to absorb the motion. When you absorb force fluidly, it protects your joints and muscles from impact and keeps you connected with your horse’s movement.
Riding creates continuous movement and impact. Each time your horse moves, your body absorbs those forces, and, like a sponge, this means distributing them throughout your body rather than holding tension in one spot.
Force absorption isn’t about holding a fixed position. Letting your knees, ankles, and pelvis move naturally can soften impact while staying centered. Balance and stability come from this flexibility, not rigidity, allowing you to respond to shifts in your horse’s gait or unexpected movements. When you absorb force smoothly, your body stays relaxed, and your horse feels it, too—creating more precise communication and a more harmonious connection.
For example, during the sitting trot, absorbing impact lets you stay in sync with your horse’s rhythm instead of bouncing. And when riders don’t absorb force properly, that impact often transfers to the horse’s back, potentially causing discomfort. Good force absorption distributes pressure evenly, protecting your horse’s back for a healthier, happier ride.
To improve, start by building body awareness through targeted exercises. Working on your breathing mechanics, improving proprioception on and off the saddle, and practicing body awareness exercises effectively enhance force absorption. These practices help “update” your nervous system, refining your brain’s connection to your body for smoother, more coordinated movement. Working with a certified Rider Biomechanics trainer can also provide personalized guidance and insights to accelerate your progress. With each of these tools, you’ll develop the stability, flexibility, and responsiveness needed for effective, balanced riding.
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