How to recognize tight adductors? In the rider: Your seat is shallow, your knees grip the horse forcefully, and your toes point outward. You struggle to sit the working trot because the tension in your thighs constantly bounces you out of the tack. In the horse: The horse feels compressed and has a stiff back. You often struggle with asymmetry in the bend—the horse refuses to bend through the ribs because your inner thigh is blocking them like a wall. What you gain by releasing them: ✅ A deep seat: You’ll stop hovering above the horse and start truly flowing with them, which you’ll notice especially in the sitting trot. ✅ Precise lateral work: A relaxed thigh allows the horse to actually bend around your leg instead of running away from the pressure. ✅ A relaxed horse: The horse will feel freedom in their ribs and back, allowing them to round and carry themselves better. Let’s release the "grip" of your thighs and give both you and your horse more room to move!