The Importance of Rider Symmetry
- Horses Inside Out
- 3 hours ago
- 4 min read
In the quest of better movement, improved performance and long-term soundness, we often look closely at the horse. We analyse conformation, training methods, saddle fit and management in minute detail. But what if one of the most influential factors is sitting right on top of the horse?
Rider symmetry – or more accurately, rider asymmetry is increasingly recognised as a critical element in equine performance and welfare. This is a topic that will take centre stage at the Horses Inside Out Conference: Soundness and Symmetry. This not to missed 3-day event is taking place 21–23 February 2026, with world-leading expertise guiding the discussion.
Why Rider Symmetry Really Matters
Horses are sensitive animals. A creature that can feel a fly land on its skin will absolutely notice a rider who sits a few centimetres to one side, loads one stirrup more than the other, or collapses through one hip or shoulder.
Even subtle asymmetries in a rider’s posture, balance or movement patterns can lead to:
Uneven pressure through the saddle
Muscle tension or asymmetrical development in the horse
Difficulty bending equally on both reins
Uneven rhythm, transitions or straightness
Behavioural resistance or, over time, lameness
A crooked rider creates uneven loading through the horse’s back and limbs. Many horses compensate quietly, altering their own posture or movement to stay comfortable. Others start to struggle, becoming labelled as “stiff”, “one-sided” or “difficult” – when in reality, they are responding intelligently to an imbalanced load.
Research using pressure mapping and motion capture has repeatedly shown that rider asymmetry directly alters equine gait, spinal movement and rein tension. The horse adapts, but often at a cost.
A Lifetime Dedicated to Horse, Rider and Symmetry
Few people are better placed to explore this subject than Dr Lee Clark, Chartered Physiotherapist and internationally recognised rider symmetry specialist.
Lee graduated as a human physiotherapist in 1997 before qualifying with ACPAT in 1999, allowing him to treat animals alongside people. For the past 25 years, he has specialised in the treatment of horses and their riders, owning and managing both a rider performance clinic, Functional Physiotherapy, and the Equine Physiotherapy Clinic in County Durham.
His experience spans elite sport and clinical practice. Since 2010, Lee has worked with multiple GBR Equestrian Teams, supporting horses and riders at 15 European Championships and 6 World Championships, including the 2014 World Equestrian Games in France. He has travelled globally with elite riders and was selected as one of just eight ACPAT physiotherapists to provide physiotherapy support at the London 2012 Olympics, working with horses from all nations.
Alongside this, Lee is a respected educator, lecturer and clinical supervisor at institutions including the University of Liverpool and Hartpury University, and a regular speaker at major conferences – including previous Horses Inside Out events.
Researching the Rider as Closely as the Horse
For the past 15 years, Lee has had a particular fascination with the relationship between horse, saddle and rider asymmetry, and how each influences the others. This culminated in a six-year PhD project investigating rider asymmetry using simulators, motion analysis and functional testing.
His research has already produced published papers examining:
The reliability and validity of riding simulators
How rider pelvic and trunk movement differs between novice and experienced riders
How simulator movement compares with that of real horses
Unpublished data goes even further, comparing rider movement on simulators versus their own horses, and exploring why rider asymmetry is so common – even in experienced, well-trained riders.
The message is clear - asymmetry is normal but ignoring it can compromise both performance and horse welfare.
Rider Symmetry at the Horses Inside Out Conference 2026
This vital topic will be explored in depth at the Horses Inside Out Conference, 21–23 February 2026, where Lee Clark will deliver two unmissable sessions.
Saturday 21 February 2026
Does Rider Asymmetry Really Affect the Horse?
This engaging and thought-provoking talk will explore how rider posture, balance and movement patterns influence equine symmetry, soundness and performance. Drawing on current research and clinical insights, Lee will challenge assumptions and highlight the often-underestimated role of the rider in shaping the horse’s way of going. Essential viewing for riders, therapists, coaches and equine professionals.
Monday 23 February 2026 – Soundness and Symmetry in Practice
Rider Asymmetry: How to Assess and Improve It
This hands-on workshop bridges theory and practice, guiding participants through ways to assess rider alignment and movement patterns both on and off the horse. Lee will introduce targeted exercises to improve balance, stability and effectiveness in the saddle, providing practical tools that can be applied immediately to enhance harmony, reduce injury risk and support long-term soundness.
Better Riders = Happier Horses
Improving rider symmetry is one of the most powerful – and often overlooked – ways to improve equine comfort, performance and longevity. For therapists, coaches and riders, understanding how the rider’s body influences the horse completes the picture of true symmetry.
At Horses Inside Out, the horse is always at the heart of the conversation. In 2026, that conversation will also focus on the rider and how becoming straighter, more balanced and more aware can make all the difference.
Join us at the Horses Inside Out Conference, 21–23 February 2026, and be part of a deeper understanding of soundness, symmetry and partnership.
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