7 horse riding habits holding you back

There’s a lot for us to think about when we’re riding – balance, rhythm, contact and communication. So, it’s no surprise that bad horse riding habits can creep in, often without us realising.

Good riding should look effortless, with the horse and rider in total harmony. In fact, some of the best riders look like they’re not doing much at all in the saddle. This is because they have developed a good posture, balance, and core strength to deliver the aids seamlessly and effectively to their horse.

‘Such good riding can take many years to achieve and even the best riders pick up bad riding habits along the way that need to be straightened out,’ says legendary eventer, Lucinda Green. ‘The best way to deal with bad riding habits is to first identify them, because once you are aware, you can then begin working on correcting them.’

Here’s a list of some of the most common bad horse riding habits, with advice on how you can correct them.

Looking down: a common horse riding habit to break

THE PROBLEM: Looking down is the most common bad horse riding habit. Your head is heavy, and tipping it forward can throw off your balance, making you less effective and your horse less stable.

HOW TO FIX IT: To practise keeping your head and eyes up, set up markers in the arena or field (or if you’re hacking, use trees or fence posts), and ride patterns to and around them. Keep your head and eyes up as you focus on each object.

‘Think about a piece of string attached to your hat that is drawn up towards the clouds to elongate and stretch your body upwards,’ explains Lucinda. ‘With time and repetition, looking ahead becomes second nature.’

Tension: relax and ride better

THE PROBLEM: Many riders unconsciously hold their breath when they’re nervous or concentrating, creating tension. This not only affects focus and reaction time, but also transmits tightness to the horse, reducing their ability to move freely.

HOW TO FIX IT: Practise diaphragmatic breathing – deep, slow breaths that fill the lungs fully. ‘If your breathing is quick and shallow, take some time to slow your breathing down and take deep breaths,’ says Lucinda. ‘It will help you relax and make concentrating on the task at hand much easier.’

Bad hands: finding the right contact

THE PROBLEM: Inconsistent hand position or heavy contact can confuse the horse, cause resistance, or even lead to rearing or head tossing. Flat hands or floppy reins disrupt communication between the horse and rider.

HOW TO FIX IT: Having balanced hands allows you to find a consistent contact with your horse’s mouth, without pulling on or dropping the reins. Imagine holding a baby chick in each hand – firm enough not to drop it, but gentle enough not to crush it. Keep thumbs on top so palms don’t face the ground. ‘It’s important to remember that you can’t keep the ideal grip on the reins all the time,’ says Lucinda. ‘Sometimes it will need to be much softer or stronger, depending on what is happening under you. Developing a more secure seat will also improve the stability of your hands.’

See our top tips for achieving good hands.

Insecure lower leg: a foundational horse riding habit

THE PROBLEM: Your lower leg affects your balance and stability in the saddle, as well as your upper body. If the upper body moves forward, the lower legs drift back. If the upper body moves back, the lower leg drifts forward. This can unbalance you and therefore your horse, making your leg aids less effective. A tight knee that grips and heels that rise up are also signs of imbalance.

HOW TO FIX IT: Let your legs hang naturally without clamping. ‘Think of cuddling your horse with your legs,’ says Lucinda. Keep your toes forward, knees soft, and weight dropped into your heels with a gentle bend. This allows for subtle and effective cues.

Always make sure your toes face the front, too; they should neither stick out, nor face inwards. ‘You also want to keep your weight down in your heel, with a bent knee,’ Lucinda advises. ‘If your heel rises, you become insecure and risk digging your heels into your horse and gripping.’

Find out how to improve your seat in the saddle.

Stiff elbows: unlocking elastic contact

THE PROBLEM: A locked elbow creates a rigid, backward contact that can block your horse’s natural movement. It prevents elasticity and disrupts your ability to follow the horse’s head and neck motion, especially in walk and canter.

HOW TO FIX IT: Maintain a soft bend in your elbows so your arms can move with your horse. This allows for an elastic connection – you’re not pulling the horse onto the bit but riding them forward into it. A supple arm improves communication and allows the horse to relax through the poll, neck and jaw.

For riders who struggle with maintaining an even contact, bridging the reins (creating a circle with your reins so you are holding both reins in both hands) can make you more aware of the position of your hands and arms.

Riding without purpose: stay focused

THE PROBLEM: Lack of direction or rushed transitions when schooling can unbalance your horse, disrupt rhythm and create tension. Riding aimlessly – especially during warm-up – can lead to boredom, confusion and missed opportunities to build engagement.

HOW TO FIX IT: Ride with intention from the moment you mount. Transitions should be smooth, deliberate and clearly signalled, not rushed.

Avoid passive warm-ups. Instead of walking on a loose rein, keep a light contact to maintain the conversation with your horse, and change direction and pace frequently. This keeps your horse mentally engaged and encourages a soft, consistent connection.

Find schooling exercises to improve focus.

Letting confidence slide: how to build trust

THE PROBLEM: Confidence plays a huge role in how we ride, but it’s easily lost – especially after a fall, a bad experience, or even just a string of uncertain rides. A lack of confidence often leads to tension and overthinking, which can make both rider and horse feel unsettled.

HOW TO FIX IT: Confidence isn’t about being fearless, it’s about feeling prepared and supported. Start by setting achievable goals that help you build trust in yourself and your horse, one ride at a time.

Simple strategies such as visualisation, breathing exercises, or riding with a calm, experienced instructor can make a big difference. Most importantly, be patient with yourself. Confidence doesn’t return all at once; it grows gradually with every positive step forward. Find out how to rebuild your confidence here.

Horse riding habits: Final thoughts

Even the best riders never stop learning – or unlearning! By identifying and addressing these horse riding habits, you’ll become a more balanced, confident and effective partner for your horse.

While no one can prevent every setback, having the right horse insurance in place means you’re prepared for the unexpected, so you can focus on becoming the best rider you can be.