Heel Postition...All Disciplines

Every riding discipline needs the ear, shoulder, hip and heel alignment to be effective in your riding position. Keeping your heels lower than your toe and relaxed helps to stabilize that position. Now whether all this is enforced or not, depends on the rider and trainer. Some disciplines are much more conscious of this position, especially equitation classes where its all about the rider's position.

But if you are a true rider and horse person, you know that correct position is very important not only to staying on but being able to influence the horse correctly.

Actually there will be some variance depending on your discipline and what you're doing. I think generally to be in proper balance your hip should be directly over your heel. I don't do a lot of western, but I don't know of many situations in the english world when you don't want this leg position.

The upper body is where most of the difference will be. In a full seat (most dressage riders) your upper body should be vertical and yes, your ear/shoulder/hip/heel will be in line. However, at the posting trot your upper body should be slightly in front of the vertical. I think George Morris even says a full 15-20 degrees in front. A hunter, who generally tries to keep their weight over the horse's center of gravity, spends a lot of time up in a half seat/2 point, where your upper body will be tipped forward as well. Imagine a crosscountry rider galloping across an open field with a vertical upper body. Most likely not going to happen. But all these riders should have their hip over their heel.

There is no hard and fast rule about exact positions because a lot of it will depend on a rider's conformation. There is no rule as to exactly how deep a heel must be, but with people who jump the heel must be lower then the toe, must be able to absorb shock. With a dressage rider I think they are more level with their feet (like the picture you posted). A dressage rider and a jumper uses their leg/seat/heel differently so naturally the "correct" position will be different.

The best way to know what correct position should be is to understand *why* it's important to be in that position.

Another thing to consider... yes, there is a lot of bad information out there, esp on the internet! But even students with correct instruction can still have bad habits. The great thing about riding is that we are all students and there's always more to learn! Find out what position is correct for your discipline so you know what flaws to avoid (and how you can tell a good picture from a bad one!). Then find out who the correct riders are and emulate them best you can!