Before you Ride

Helmet & Chin Strap fit well?
Sitting up straight?
Hands even & down on withers?
Girth strap tight?
Legs just behind the girth strap?

Finding your Balanced Seat

Hold your head up & look out between horse's ears.
Shoulders back & down
Upper arms & elbows close to body
Chest out & Back flexible, able to move with horse
Rest thumbs on top of reins. Grip with middle three fingers & place pinkie under reins.
Sit in middle of saddle in deepest part of seat
Hands level with each other.  Knuckles out, palms facing each other.
Legs hang naturally.  Keep lower legs close to horse's sides, just behind girth.
Toes higher than heels &  pointing forward.  Rest balls of feet in stirrups evenly on both sides.

Asking for the Trot

Get your horse to move at a fast walk...then squeeze your lower legs harder.  Repeat squeeze until he picks up the pace to a trot.
The Post or rising trot is a two beat gait.
Count:  1- up
              2- down
Again:  1- up
              2- down
Repeat: up, down, up, down, up, down...
To give your horse more balance, make sure you rise up when his front leg nearest the fence is going forward, sit when that outside front leg is back...repeat.
  This is called being on the correct diagonal, which helps your horse balance himself.
Stay deep in the saddle and grip with lower legs...not knees.  Relax and flow with your horses movement.
Trot in circles to get your horse more supple.  Change directions often.

Turning your Horse

Look in the direction you want to turn.
Move your legs to get the horse to wrap around your leg as he turns:
  *Inside leg holds steady at the girth
  *Outside leg pressing behind the girth
Squeeze the fingers of the hand on the side you want to turn to.  Pull back slightly with that hand, making sure you don't lift upward.
If the horse does not turn, tug the rein several times on the side you want to turn toward.
Release all pressure and squeezing the moment your horse turns in the direction you want.
Hold your head up & look out between horse's ears.
Shoulders back & down
Upper arms & elbows close to body
Chest out & Back flexible, able to move with horse
Rest thumbs on top of reins. Grip with middle three fingers & place pinkie under reins.
Sit in middle of saddle in deepest part of seat
Hands level with each other.  Knuckles out, palms facing each other.
Legs hang naturally.  Keep lower legs close to horse's sides, just behind girth.
Toes higher than heels &  pointing forward.  Rest balls of feet in stirrups evenly on both sides.

The Canter

Pick up the canter when your horse is trotting around a bend.   You should be able to see your horses inside eye.
Stop rising to the trot & sit deep in the saddle.  Move your outside leg behind the girth and press or kick.
If your horse does not respond with the canter, repeat your press or kick with the outside leg behind the girth. If he still does not respond, use a sharp snap with a crop.
Stay deep in the saddle and grip with lower legs.  Relax and follow the horses rocking motion with your whole body. 
Check to be sure your horse is leading with his inside leg.  If not, go back to trotting and re-ask for the canter while bending toward the center of the arena.