Develop a deep, balanced seat by practicing exercises like bareback riding or lunging without stirrups. A strong seat is crucial for stability and communication with your horse.
Learn to use your reins effectively to communicate with your horse. Practice maintaining a consistent contact while still allowing your horse to move freely.
Focus on mastering the basic maneuvers such as stopping, turning, and backing up. These fundamental skills are the building blocks of more advanced maneuvers.
Learn to use your legs to cue your horse for different movements. Work on developing subtle cues that your horse can easily understand.
Practice riding various patterns such as circles, figure eights, and serpentine paths. This helps improve your horse's responsiveness and your ability to navigate different courses.
Maintain a balanced and centered position in the saddle at all times. This allows you to move with your horse's movements and stay in control.
Consider taking lessons from a qualified Western riding instructor. They can provide personalized feedback and guidance to help you improve your skills more effectively.