If you ride off your seat, you are using the saddle as a chair, not what it is intended for. One jump side ways, spin or whatever,and you come out of the saddle. With equal,balanced weight in the stirrups, not only do you cushion your ride,but any unexpected movement of the equine can be countered quite easily.

Sitting in the saddle leads to cincha galls and sore backs on equines.When you ride a horse or mule,you should be part of a team and help your partner out when possible. When you just sit in the saddle you are just a passenger.

I won't even get into what happens when you have to take a dally when hooked onto some rough stock.

Last edited by saddlesore; 02/17/12.

If God wanted you to walk and carry things on your back, He would not have invented stirrups and pack saddles