Creating a supple, balanced and athletic horse for any discipline requires the rider to have an effective seat through a strong core. The base for a solid barrel of core stability is your pelvic floor. The rest of your barrel of core stability includes transverse abdominals (anterior), diaphragm (superior) and multifidus (posterior). Dysfunction or weakness of the pelvic floor can be discerned in more extreme cases by bladder or bowel incontinence or voiding issues, but sub-optimal firing of your pelvic floor is often much more subtle. Dysfunction in part of your core affects the rest of your core, overall riding performance, and effectiveness of your seat.
Achieving half-steps through an effective seat involves gently lifting the pelvic floor with the action of the horse and using your adductors (inner thigh) as an extension of your core to elevate your horse’s barrel. This has to occur while bringing your leg back to help the horse shift its center of gravity to its hind legs, while allowing your hands and upper body to act independently. This independent coordination of hands, seat, back, and legs requires a working pelvic floor.
The pelvic floor can be broken down into quadrants: anterior, posterior, left, and right sides. Symmetry in the strength of your core is equally important in creating a balanced horse that doesn’t lean on one hand or leg. Mobility and strength deficits through the hips and legs can inhibit the ability to achieve the leg and seat finesse necessary to create a half-step (see previous Horse Sport articles on calf stretches and core stability).