How to Do the Horse Stance in Kung Fu

Co-authored by Yvonne Mo

Last Updated: January 4, 2024 Approved

This article will teach you how to do the Horse Stance (aka Horse Riding Stance). This stance is also included in karate but is known as sumo stance in most karate schools.

Steps

Download Article

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/f1\/Do-the-Horse-Stance-in-Kung-Fu-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Do-the-Horse-Stance-in-Kung-Fu-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f1\/Do-the-Horse-Stance-in-Kung-Fu-Step-1.jpg\/aid1256161-v4-700px-Do-the-Horse-Stance-in-Kung-Fu-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":368,"bigWidth":700,"bigHeight":560,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/2.5\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/ac\/Do-the-Horse-Stance-in-Kung-Fu-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Do-the-Horse-Stance-in-Kung-Fu-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/ac\/Do-the-Horse-Stance-in-Kung-Fu-Step-2.jpg\/aid1256161-v4-700px-Do-the-Horse-Stance-in-Kung-Fu-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":368,"bigWidth":700,"bigHeight":560,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/2.5\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

^{[1]
X
Research source}

Advertisement
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/6e\/Do-the-Horse-Stance-in-Kung-Fu-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Do-the-Horse-Stance-in-Kung-Fu-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/6e\/Do-the-Horse-Stance-in-Kung-Fu-Step-3.jpg\/aid1256161-v4-700px-Do-the-Horse-Stance-in-Kung-Fu-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":368,"bigWidth":700,"bigHeight":560,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/2.5\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

The lowness of the stance varies in Kung Fu styles, mainly northern and southern: northern is a more relaxed higher stance whereas southern is right down near the ground. Be aware not to put your knees forward or outward over the toes. ^{[2]
X
Research source}
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/2d\/Do-the-Horse-Stance-in-Kung-Fu-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Do-the-Horse-Stance-in-Kung-Fu-Step-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/2d\/Do-the-Horse-Stance-in-Kung-Fu-Step-4.jpg\/aid1256161-v4-700px-Do-the-Horse-Stance-in-Kung-Fu-Step-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":368,"bigWidth":700,"bigHeight":560,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/2.5\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

^{[3]
X
Research source}
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/21\/Do-the-Horse-Stance-in-Kung-Fu-Step-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Do-the-Horse-Stance-in-Kung-Fu-Step-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/21\/Do-the-Horse-Stance-in-Kung-Fu-Step-5.jpg\/aid1256161-v4-700px-Do-the-Horse-Stance-in-Kung-Fu-Step-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":368,"bigWidth":700,"bigHeight":560,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/2.5\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

To train yourself further with using this stance, first find a stick, assume the horse stance and then place the stick on top of your knees.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/b6\/Do-the-Horse-Stance-in-Kung-Fu-Step-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Do-the-Horse-Stance-in-Kung-Fu-Step-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/b6\/Do-the-Horse-Stance-in-Kung-Fu-Step-6.jpg\/aid1256161-v4-700px-Do-the-Horse-Stance-in-Kung-Fu-Step-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":368,"bigWidth":700,"bigHeight":560,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/2.5\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/44\/Do-the-Horse-Stance-in-Kung-Fu-Step-7.jpg\/v4-460px-Do-the-Horse-Stance-in-Kung-Fu-Step-7.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/44\/Do-the-Horse-Stance-in-Kung-Fu-Step-7.jpg\/aid1256161-v4-700px-Do-the-Horse-Stance-in-Kung-Fu-Step-7.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":368,"bigWidth":700,"bigHeight":560,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/2.5\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/ff\/Do-the-Horse-Stance-in-Kung-Fu-Intro.jpg\/v4-460px-Do-the-Horse-Stance-in-Kung-Fu-Intro.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/ff\/Do-the-Horse-Stance-in-Kung-Fu-Intro.jpg\/aid1256161-v4-700px-Do-the-Horse-Stance-in-Kung-Fu-Intro.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":368,"bigWidth":700,"bigHeight":560,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/2.5\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

Why do I need to do horse squatting?

Community Answer

Horse squatting is important in developing a solid stance, and will also aid in developing thigh muscles.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 1 Helpful 34
Question

Why do you keep your knees over your feet in a general horse stance?

Kendallyn Alexander

Community Answer

The point of doing the horse stance is to help you build core stability from the legs.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 19 Helpful 5
Question

If you are not stong, how do you do it?

Kendallyn Alexander

Community Answer

The kegel muscles, which are also called the pc muscles for the pubococcygeus, are one of several muscle groups involved.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 28 Helpful 7

See more answers

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Video

Tips

Don't try too hard. Go at your pace.

Thanks
Helpful 3 Not Helpful 0
You may want to hold out your arms forward in front of you; this makes the stance harder to do but you will be stronger for it.

Thanks
Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0
Try to increase the time of holding this stance every day, even if is just 1 more second. Try to beat your record at your own pace, don't force it.

Thanks
Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0

Show More Tips

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Warnings

This move is not recommended if you have bad bones in your knees, bad joints or any other conditions (e.g arthritis), you may do this if you want but take extra care and take it easier than the usual student.

Thanks
Helpful 30 Not Helpful 7
Don't try to copy movies and stay up for hours right at the start of training, don't strain or overtrain.

Thanks
Helpful 25 Not Helpful 9
Not to be used in combat, this stance is not used in combat, standing like this in a fight will result in pain (especially for men). This stance is to exercise and strengthen the legs.

Thanks
Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0

[1]

[2]

[3]

Log in

How to Do the Horse Stance in Kung Fu

Steps

Community Q&A

Video

Tips

Warnings

You Might Also Like

References

About This Article

Reader Success Stories

Did this article help you?

Quizzes

You Might Also Like

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Featured Articles

Featured Articles

Watch Articles

Trending Articles

Explore Categories