[7] The ideal horse stance in most northern Chinese martial arts (such as Mizongquan and Chaquan) has the feet pointed forward, thighs parallel to the floor, with the buttocks pushed out, and the back "arched up" to keep the upper body from leaning forward.

Southern Chinese martial arts usually pronounce horse stance by its Cantonese pronunciation of "Sei Ping Ma".

The horse stance in southern Chinese systems is commonly done with the thighs parallel to the ground and the toes pointing forward or angled slightly out.

[15] What is referred to as the horse stance in south Indian martial arts is very different from the posture of the same name in other Asian fighting styles.

The horse stance is the main posture of the Shiva form and is related to the virabhadrasana (warrior pose) in yoga.