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 Veteran
Posts: 193
 
Location: USA | Ok, So I just had a really hard fall at our last rodeo. I was going up to the first barrel and this time my usually lazy mare comes barreling in and I was all for it I pushed her even harder. I then started to sit down and said "easy". (Probably shoulda said whoa) and the first time she slides around the barrel on her butt like a professional I fall off the other side! I try sitting really deep in my saddle and I have good core and leg strength but she totally took me off guard by sliding around, LOL it was just SO unexpected cause she's never done that before. So I was just curious how do you all y'all out there ride your ratey, push style horses who like to slide around? Do you put your feet out in front of you slightly, arch your back and push down on your horn or what, cause I'd really like to know because I don't want to fall off like that again. Also if anybody has any pictures or videos that'd be awesome! (I run her in a Jr. Cowhorse anything else is to much) |
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
 
| I try and sit my but deep in the saddle, and torso hunched over and forward. My stirrups I ride in a neutral position, I don't like mine forward as I can't get out of the saddle fast enough leaving the barrel
I also ride in short stirrups so I can have my weight in them to help keep me balanced.
Edited by cheryl makofka 2014-03-22 11:45 PM
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 Buttered Noodles Snacker
Posts: 4377
Location: NC | Do u have pictures or video of ur run? It might be helpful to see for people to give u tips on what to do differently.
Congrats sounds like ur horse is really trying to turn it on!!!! Good luck. |
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Veteran
Posts: 193
Location: USA | No, I'm sorry I don't have any videos. I know it wasn't my horses fault but I probably coulda won because like I said she was smoking up to that first. but I will try in my practice or go somewhere else and run her full out towards my first and hunch over and forward a bit. But I have a question about that, won't that throw your horse off balance? I thought if you got on your butt and sat down in your seat your horse would put it's rear end down and be balanced in the turn. |
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| I don't think there is a right answer.
Watch all the NfR girls, when they sit down to turn, their bodies are not straight up like you would see in a pleasure class.
Ed wright teaches to be forward, while Dena Kirkpatrick teaches to sit down and have your feet forward.
I think the only thing that can throw a horse off balance is a lot of movement in the seat, so if you are sitting down in the turn like a saddle bronc, then are trying to get up and out of the saddle when they leave the barrel, this can throw the horse off balance.
The quieter you are in the seat the more balanced you will be and more balanced your horse will be. |
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 Ditch the Stirrups
Posts: 5369
Location: Sorrow Not! Defending against workplace bullies | Timing is as important as body position. Rehearse in your mind the exact moment you will rate, sit, go to one hand, grab the horn and lean forward to leave. It sounds like you got behind your horse and maybe did not go to the horn when you should have? Were you riding 2 handed up to the barrel and then switching to one hand around it? As your horse gets faster and faster all of your movements have to speed up to keep pace with her. This can be very challenging especially in a small pen when the barrels come up on you so fast! |
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  Sock eating dog owner
Posts: 4557
Location: Where the pavement ends and the West begins Utah | When you set to rate, sit deep, press down hard in the stirrups and PUSH on the horn, this sets you back against the cantle allowing your horse to work, you will be in time with your horse when she launches for the next barrel lifting you into position for a smoking run. Be sure to be centered over your horse. |
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Please help! Body postion