Q: When warming up, is it best to canter in light seat?

A: Yes. Getting out of the saddle and off your pony’s back while warming up is really beneficial for both you and your pony. For you, it helps to get your core muscles activated and firing and for your pony, it lets him use his back properly without your interference.

A light seat can be particularly useful if you have a fresh or hot pony, as it allows him to use the freedom to move through his back to go forward, rather than bucking or pronking.

Similarly, for a less motivated pony, it can help to make his job a bit easier in the warm up by making moving forwards easier for him.