Horseback Riding with Proper Posture 

Folks, I realize the sound is choppy in places, and I apologize. I ran it through an app to increase audio, and this is what I got. Please know I’m working on it. Thanks for your patience.

People, people, people. Chill out! He said he's working on the audio. Give him time to work on it! The guy has a regular job and can't sit in front of the computer half the day.... Please be respectful and thankful that he's even putting the videos out for us to watch. Thank you.

Best horse advice on the RU-vid - - we gotta get his subscriptions numbers up for him - just wished I knew how - thanks for all your videos - you do a great job on all subjects you cover - Thank You Sir

You Sir have more horse sense than 99% of the other trainers and riders on youtube, thank you for sharing your knowledge.

Oh man. For a second I thought it was Jack Bartlett!!

just started riding and found your channel while looking for info on saddles. your explanations are some of the best I have found. Simple and easy, loaded with common sense, which aint so common nowadays. thanks for putting out these videos. keep em coming.

Mr Dwayne this is very helpful even for an experienced rider because your never to old to learn.

I actually stuck through the audio and it was worth it . My Husband has been watching your videos every day. Me too . He hasn’t even a petted a Horse 😙 I am getting a 4 month old Colt in October. From Idaho to California 🇺🇸Please pray for our little Colt to be safe and sound . I have prayed with the owner and the transporter . 🙏🙏🙏God seems to be giving me this long awaited Dream come true. So keep sharing no matter how the video comes out . Post it ! We are learning. I will remember this teaching in about 2 years .I’ll put the the slice of 🧀 Cheese in my back pocket and think of You 🤗 Laura 💜

Great video! Here in Australia we also ride long legged and sitting up off our butts. You made an excellent point about being balanced and I must heartily agree!! If you sit with a good posture but are relaxed then you will be balanced and comfortable but even more importantly, so will your horse. If your back is sore after riding around with the posture of a sack of potatoes imagine how sore your horse’s will be carrying that unbalanced sack! This advice is even more important when moving at a gait faster than a walk and especially so when crossing broken unstable ground at any speed. If you are balanced and your horse unexpectedly stumbles you are far less likely to come off and your horse is also far more likely find their feet again without injuring itself. Excellent advice!!

Wow, I'm the baby of the family. We each had our own horse. I've not heard anyone explain all that in words before except the lean forward going up and lean back going down. I'm just shaking my head yes, thinking I thought everyone knew that. Dad put me on a horse before I can remember. I've realized as an adult he was a master horseman like you. He chose the hoses for the family. We all learned in the little Indian pony then graduated to the next size up as we grew up. I ended with the appaloosa, loved her. Then our cutting horse had a colt and he helped me train him. Each of us kids got to do that. Such valuable life lessons from the horses and Mom and Dad on the farm. Watching your videos is like getting to go home. Thanks so much!

I don’t even ride, but I really enjoy the way you teach.

The microphone was crackling something wild. Still, it's one great presentation Dwayne - these are the clearest and simplest instructions on riding posture I ever seen and heard.

I am transitioning from English to Western and this video was so helpful for understanding why I was SO sore after my last trail ride. Thanks so much!

Simple, straightforward and useful. Cant get better advice than this! Thank you Sir!

Absolutely terrific. Clear, helpful instructions. Hope he makes a lot of videos.

I really agree with your saying that you’re never too old to learn. I tell my son that all the time. I’ve had horses all my life and find your videos very helpful and always continue to learn from them.

Best horse man and teaching on the internet. I regret deeply that I am 81 years old. If I was 50 years younger I know exactly where I would go. Dwyaine thank you for each and every video. I watch ALL of them and wish I were there

Dear Sir your explanation of the necessity of good posture while riding is excellent. As a retired physical therapist I can assure you that your are 100% correct in your instruction. The shock absorbing tissue between the vertebrae are the intervertebral discs. When a person slouches they increase intradiscal pressure and overstretch the ligaments that provide support between the vertebrae.The result is a sore and stiff back with muscle spasms around the irritated joints of the neck and back. People would do well to listen to your advice and also work on strengthening their body core muscles and abdominal muscles to help themselves.

Great advice, yet again! Thanks for making these videos. I've really been enjoying them. It's also helping to bring things to the conscious part of my mind, which is handy as my kids are getting old enough to start riding too.

you called out all of my bad habits ..and i love you for it!

This was a great video! This guy is a natural teacher. He didn't say one thing I did not understand. That is a rare trait! I tend to overthink things or over-analyze them. I did not need to do that here as I felt I knew what I needed to know by the time the video was over.

Great information Lots of videos on line but I think you cover and explain the best so far as I've seen and I watch a lot. I try to make every experience with my horse fun and safe and always willing to listen and learn. Nice hat by the way!

Thanks so much for sharing your experience and knowledge. Cut and to the point, just like I like it. Thanks again.

It’s the “simple stuff” that really is the foundation of whatever task your doing. If you learn how to do something wrong it becomes a bad habit. So thanks, Dewayne. I knew some of that but not all. And what I really appreciated was the “Whys”. Understanding why not just how is important for me to be able to put it all together.

Thank you for this video! The best I’ve seen in a long time (regardless of the sound quality). I took riding lessons for years , mostly English but it varied, and was taught to hold my legs forward straight trying to mold my legs around the horse. Well I went through a lot of pain and discomfort and it never felt right . I tried to carry on with this method in western trail rides and the pain was so bad I always had to take my feet out of the stirrups and ride with my legs free. Then dismounting was horribly painful when I tried to walk, I also have rheumatoid arthritis to boot . Your the first I’ve seen to acknowledge this issue and it makes so much sense to me. I’ve always had good posture, even been teased by some cowboys on rides for not slouching enough 🙄. Anyways sorry for the ramble , just wanted to say loved the video and it was an eye opener even though it’s basic stuff 👍

Makes so much sense when you explain precisely how the rider's body position in the saddle physically works right along with the body of the horse, and how the horse naturally responds to everything the rider does or doesn't do. Great riding instruction.

I always considered myself to be a good rider but Dwayne just taught me some things I had never considered. Heck, some of the posture advice I can apply to motorcycle riding as well. So glad I stumbled across this video.

It’s Sunday morning and I’m catching up on all the DCWS episodes I’ve missed. Thank you for good basic reminders.

First time rider going on an elk hunt -- YOU have helped SO much!! Thank you!

Great stuff, Dwayne, thanks. Even with the choppy audio, you make more sense than a lot of presenters!

Really like the way you explain things very easy for me to understand. Keep the videos coming

Heels down, toes out, back straight but relaxed: yep. Great posture 👍 🐎 I took training when I was in my late teens, early 20s. I rode both western and English, on quarter horses, Morgans, grade paints and Belgian, and I rode my trainer's horse once - leg pressure, no real need for reining. She was completely spot on Also, a lapel mic with a wind jacket will help you immensely.

This guy looks just like grandpa Jack on heartland!

Great, simple overview. I went on my first trail ride with an unfamiliar horse a few days ago, now I can see my posture was good from the waist up...but I had my legs wrong! Simple fix, great video!

I’m behind on most of your videos but I’m trying to catch up but as usual a great and common sense informational teaching once again thank you and please keep them coming as long as it’s agreeable to you

To add to what you're talking about, the shock absorption that's provided by your spine comes from intervertebral discs which are made from a very fibrous cartilage. Great video Dewayne, I loved all the information you shared! Especially the point about turning your toes out. The last couple times I've ridden my knees have been killing me and I think that's my problem.

Great job! Thanks and cheers from Germany!

You are blessed. You know how to keep it simple. Thanks

Dwayne, I just ran across you and I love what you say and how you teach. Been riding since I was a kid and still do at 68. I don't know how many trail rides I have been on where I was told "you are riding with your toes too far out". But it works. I am 6'3" 190# and turning your knee as you describe is the best for staying on that horse all day. Thanks

Very good wording , I learned a lot just watching this video.

Great job again mate and Mamma too.

I taught my boys to sit at the same angle as the trees on the slope they are ascending or descending too. I have taken professional riding lessons and the instruction I was given for posture matches exactly what you told here. I have also taught riding lessons later in my life and I use the same line analogy as you did here. All great advice from what I could tell. Sure it's basic meat and potatoes but I have been riding for 43 years now and I still remind myself of this stuff every time I ride so I remain focused, present, and balanced. Doesn't matter if you have been riding for 43 years or 43 minutes, this good advice you are giving on posture and position. I have never heard anyone say to stand in your stirrups for going uphill. That would be a good way to get pitched out of your saddle or get a horn in the belly or chest when the horse heaves or scrambles. I was surprised to hear that this is even a thing you have had to tell people to correct.

Dwayne, I agree with everything you said except the position of a rider’s knees and feet. Now this is not a criticism of your teaching in anyway, just my opinion. Every rider is built differently but in my experience of riding for over 35 years, it works best when I drop my legs down and let my toes relaxed and slightly turned out but not totally out sideways like your toes. I don’t walk with my toes pointed out like yours. I walk with my toes slightly out. My knees are relatively straight down the side of my saddle because my hips are turned out. This is why it’s important for riders to stretch their hips and legs like gymnasts. And if you look at riders who grew up on a horse, they become actually bow legged. A rider’s legs are supposed to be slapped onto the side of the horse like a slab of raw meat, as the old Cavalry instructors used to say. You knees are not really bending sideways even if they are straight because you are not gripping with your knees. Like you said, you are riding with thighs slapped onto your saddle and mostly with your calf muscle with your lower hip bones resting on the seat of the saddle. And your feet are relaxed with your ankle acting like a shock absorber. Like you said in your video, I do not sit on my butt, but I sit up straight so most of my weight is straight down my legs with my upper body and my knees and ankles acting like springy shock absorbers. For me this works in all types of terrain. Like I said before, this is just humble observation from my own riding experience.

I really like forward to ever video you put on here.

This cowboy knows his stuff.

Tks! Do not worry about sound!! I'm from Brazil!

Sir, thank you for the content thus far, it has been extremely helpful. Would you ever consider doing a video or series strictly related to mountain horseback hunting? I work in the pipeline industry, but have found a passion in riding horses. My hope is to one day purchase a horse and hunt for elk in Wyoming. I realize this is no short order and am willing to put in years of training before heading out (I need to save up the presence points anyhow). You seem like the right gentleman for this question, so if you’re interested in making the video, I would greatly appreciate the guidance, and I’m sure others would too. God bless.

Amazing how that horse listens to u... such a beautiful animal

Watched you video yesterday and road today used what I learn from your video. I lowered my stirrups keep my toes out heals down and keep my head to the sky what a different ride. My knees did not hurt at all when I got off. The trail had lots of hills up and down logs to cross and brush but my horse was much better on the trail.

You’re the man. I’d give just about everything to go back. Just wasn’t in the cards for me I guess. Dairy farming got a hold of me. But man, sure appreciate you.

My brother and I call the intro a Hollywood Ride. When we were younger we tried our best to ride like Randalf Scott and Gregory Peck. Good Posture on a horse is a must for bother horse and rider.

Learned a few things - Thanks. 🤗

Thanks for sharing handsome you are right on point. Love to see more of your videos ❤❤❤🤠🐴

BLUE SKIES.8=2021.i get up at 3-4 a.m. every day,have waited for blue Since June in CT.No SUCH Thing.pancake sky's .Chem Trails ARE Real. Great Vid Dwayne.thnx.kat,ct.

great lesson

Also agree with what you said about going up hill, haven't seen someone stand up in the saddle while going up hill yet, I'd just shake my head if I ever saw it, and probably laugh.

I left a comment below on how much I appreciate your videos and then thought of a question I have. Can you make a video on the proper and safe way to sit the trot, lope & gallop?

I've watched all your videos and I think they're awesome! Could you please make a video on how you got into wrangling and the best ways for people to get into that line of work! Cheers!

Yes you helped. Thank you

Love those “Meat & Potatoes” stuff. Lol 😆. Always good information.

love watching u man. wish i could come see ya. i hope things are well and good for ya if this finds you and you see it

Thanks for the heads up on the audio.. Also big THANK YOU for finally turning the video around .. many of your earlier segments, while very entertaining and informative, were flipped left and right. It is obvious you are wearing a watch on your left wrist along with your ring... but in those early episodes they were on your right side. A request/Suggestion: One of these days would you talk about using a Bosal on a young horse...

I appreciate you SO MUCH!!!!

great info, thx

This has bin a very helpfull video i.ve bin riding now for about half year i think it is and I just got the hang of the trott the place were im sore in is my butt and thigh.

great info

Just gotta say, I love that western shirt.

True words very helpful

This is the BEST rider-training tool. EVER. "I want my cheese back"?!?! All-time classic. Please fix your audio issues, Chief. Thanks.

I think that darn fly was messin' with the microphone too!

His advice is worth Patreon subscriptions

Thank you!

Thank you sir

Your mustache is glorious.

This man knows what he’s talking about. better listen up people!

Good stuff.

One other thing, on the downhill ride, leaning back will help stabilize the horse. Also leaning forward on the uphill ride stabilizes as well.

Watched a lot of your content and love it, Check up on the 600 calories an hour, I could be wrong but I have a hard time believing that’s accurate. Keep up the content though it’s great!

Turning on the close captions helps comprehension--you don't feel like you're missing stuff that way.

Rough audio but I stuck through. Great advice man!

Came here because I’m sitting on ice. 🤣 I feel bad for the horse that had to deal with me.

never ridden a horse before or moved cattle but i sure am soaking up as much of this as i can in case i ever need to use it

I have seen many so-called horse teachers but never seen someone handling the horse and the horse is licking and chewing throughout totally relaxed. And seldom seen caressing during teaching sessions. I hate to say but I think that for many people horses are mainly dollars walking on legs and not sentient and sensitive beings.

You might review True Grit One... John Wayne was a real tall in the saddle.. one scene.. he is filmed riding down hill.. here comes Glen Campbell Bouncing up and down... at the end.. Mr. Wayne takes a beautiful 16 hands Horse and jumps a fence.... wow.... watch Tommy Lee Jones ride in .. Lonesome Dove... magnificent.... and thank you for all your teaching...✍️😃🤚the Missourian from the show me state Missourah Territory..

It's said that out of a 24 hour day,horses get a true 2 hours of sleep.And that seems more than Likely to me.Imagine THAT and I hold it to be True.Keeping our spines Straight seems to hold true for the horse's Comfort too.We ALL need Sleep.Great Vid Dwayne..Not to be Ignorant but how/who do I connect with to come on out to see you ?I ride by trading shoveling sheet.its an exchange.i don't do too much cantering.got a favorite tho.we understand each other.But here in T-town there Aren't any decent trails.Atvs and Such took them over.i want a country trail ride like I had 20 yrs ago.kat.

We just bought new western saddles could you do a video of how to properly saddle them with western saddle

I do try my best to keep my hips flexing when I'm riding. As the result of a bad fall when I was in the service, my lowest vertebra, the L5 & S1 (so the bottom of my spine and my pelvis) are screwed together solidly. This limits my flexibility a good bit, but I sure try. Any suggestions for better riding are always welcome!

Would you consider sharing your experience on proper stance, foot placement and posture at a full gallop? Gracias!

What part of the country was this filmed in? Appreciate and enjoyed the video. A lot of great information.

Ride with American cheese in my pockets? Heck, that stuff shouldn't be called cheese! Ride with a cell phone in each pocket, don't come back with cracked glass... now you've got something. ;D Sure would like to see something about trotting /without/ posting. I always feel I'm like a sack of oats trotting. Never, ever figured posting out. Looking down, watching that right shoulder (now rise when that shoulder moves) is begging to run into a low branch. I'm short on brain cells as it is, without meeting a noggin knocker. On the audio thing, I'm baffled about what was going on to make the audio chop. It doesn't sound like wind noise - that'd be more like a "rumble". You're not overwhelming the mic with shouting. That usually just makes the sound loud and hashed or "fuzzy". It almost sounds like a broken connection somewhere. I think you said something about it happened in post-production. Unless you speeded up or slowed down the frame rate (can be done with any good editor), the audio should be fine. Feel free to contact me via my channel (Richard Emerson). I'll be pleased to give a listen to what you're doing. I might even have an idea or two about fixing the problem.

Dwayne, can you please make a video on a good pair of cowboy boots. I want to use them around the barn, riding and in town. I know I will have to keep them clean. Was looking at a pair of Tacovas made of 100% calf skin.

I hope you could redo this video. My students would like to understand what was being said. I find your videos very helpful for those that dont listen. Thank you.

I got a horse from the Texas Mexico border that was trained to prance and when you push him past it lingers in his trot so unless he is running it is one rough ride

Yep, one needs to sit correctly on a horse especially when trail riding and smoking a pipe!!

The best dressage rider I ever saw would ride with the majority of his weight on his thighs and his stirrup. This lightens the pressure from his butt and makes it easier for the horse to bring his back up and give you better support.

Any advice for a person like me who has never be able to walk? I've been in a wheelchair all my life because of being g born with spinal bifida and paralyzed from just below the knee and now I'm a double amputee below the knees. I have balance issues on a horse and have fallen off a few times.

im semi athletic but one day i decided id go for a full track jog at no less a pace around the backroad through town and back in a circle with probabally worn out old shoes.... i didnt get but a mile and i was sore and i took probabally 70 percent the distance of the run probabally 5-6 miles limping in pain.

Every time I rode it was always my seat and my knees that hurt. I always thought I was just too short-legged for the saddle, maybe I was just always riding wrong

Good meat and potatoes sir ❤. That’s all I need.

I used to be told to put toes in,an squeeze with your knees,,,this makes more since, with toes out