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 Big Gun
Posts: 2216
 
Location: Texas | Im having trouble staying in my saddle at the first barrel when I have them at a comfortable position for me. When I raise them up I hit the back of my saddle so I think they're too short, but when I have them longer, like in the 3 finger range, I find Im always having to reach for my stirrups. I hate the feeling of feeling like Im coming over the saddle when he turns the 1st. Wasnt sure if it was mostly because they have been too short in the past and I just need to let them out |
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Rad Dork
Posts: 5218
Location: Oklahoma | What is the three finger rule? |
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 Expert
Posts: 1857
  
| Longneck - 2014-04-16 3:56 PM
What is the three finger rule?
between the seat and you when your standing in the stirrups |
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Rad Dork
Posts: 5218
Location: Oklahoma | FlyingJT - 2014-04-16 4:01 PM Longneck - 2014-04-16 3:56 PM What is the three finger rule? between the seat and you when your standing in the stirrups
Thanks! I guess I don't go by that rule. I find that I have to adjust my sturrips for the horse I'm on.
OP - I'd disregard the "rules" and play around with what helps you the most. It was a trail and error for me.. and easier to have different saddles for different horses. |
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 Experienced Mouse Trapper
Posts: 3106
Location: North Dakota | I do, however, I found that depending on the swing in the fenders, I sometimes can't ride a stick horse to water! Have you by chance, recently acquired a new saddle?? |
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| The more powerful the horse, the shorter my stirrups. If you are falling forward, saddle might be too small. The saddle doesn't fit your style. Or you need to strengthen your core. |
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  Whack and Roll
Posts: 6342
Location: NE Texas | Bottom of the stirrup should hit right below your ankle bone. I have a full fist of room under me when I stand up in my stirrups. Really it's just personal preference, but if you want to get technical, those are the criteria for a proper equitation class. |
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 More bootie than waist!
Posts: 18425
Location: Riding Crackhead. | The only rule I go by is my own. I ride them where I feel the most comfortable and for 2 of my horses that have a lot of power that's pretty short stirrups. Its just what works for me. |
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 The Bling Princess
Posts: 3411
Location: North Dakota | I go by my own comfort. I have a shorter, stockier built horse that I tend to ride my stirrups a little shorter in and I've got a huge 16.2 hand gelding with an extremely lofty stride and I ride him with a bit longer stirrup. When I say longer it is only 1 hole longer, but I feel I have a better sense of balance on the big dude that way:)
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 I Chore in Chucks
Posts: 2882
Location: MD | go with what makes you comfortable :) |
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 Expert
Posts: 2276
Location: ohio-in my own little world with pretty ponies :) | I don't go by that. I like them to be shorter for my mare(I have to get up and ride on her) so it's easier. And I like them a little longer for my gelding. Just do what feels right for you. |
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 Keeper of the King Snake
Posts: 7617
Location: Dubach, LA | I'm just glad this thread didn't appear on Monday. Kinda wondering where Herbie and CindyT would have taken this...
kinda wond |
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Whack and Roll
Posts: 6342
Location: NE Texas | CanCan - 2014-04-16 7:42 PM I'm just glad this thread didn't appear on Monday. Kinda wondering where Herbie and CindyT would have taken this...
kinda wond
Hey, it ain't too late....nearly went there any way! Hehe Gail....where's my dang edit button when I need it?!?!?!  |
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 Shipwrecked and Flat Out Zapped
Posts: 16390
Location: DUMPING CATS AND PIGS IN TEXAS :) | For the record, I have not said anything...... |
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Hungarian Midget Woman
Location: Midwest | LRQHS - 2014-04-16 7:56 PM For the record, I have not said anything......
Me either
though I did read this thread to find out what the heck it was about lol |
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Sock Snob
Posts: 3021
| I thought it meant how much of your favorite beverage in your glass. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 503
| daisycake123 - 2014-04-16 8:06 PM
I thought it meant how much of your favorite beverage in your glass.
No that's the 12 finger rule. |
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 Can You Hear Me Now?
Location: When you hit the middle of nowhere .. Keep driving | barrelracr131 - 2014-04-16 7:57 PM
LRQHS - 2014-04-16 7:56 PM For the record, I have not said anything......
Me either
though I did read this thread to find out what the heck it was about lol
me three.... |
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Member
Posts: 42
| Fallon Taylor has a video that explains why that rule doesn't really apply because you ride better if you're feet are under you allowing you to easily move. |
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 Tough Patooty
Posts: 2615
Location: Sperry, OK | I have always gone by the rule (and been told by trainers): When you feel comfortable just riding around, your stirrups are too long to run. |
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Hungarian Midget Woman
Location: Midwest | ACEINTHEHOLE - 2014-04-17 7:47 AM I have always gone by the rule (and been told by trainers): When you feel comfortable just riding around, your stirrups are too long to run.
So make myself horribly uncomfortable
got it
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 The One
Posts: 7997
Location: South Georgia | FlyingJT - 2014-04-16 5:01 PM
Longneck - 2014-04-16 3:56 PM
What is the three finger rule?
between the seat and you when your standing in the stirrups
I've never used that in my life, nor have I heard it. I put my stirrups where I am most comfortable and can ride my best. |
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Tough Patooty
Posts: 2615
Location: Sperry, OK |
The faster you go, the longer your stirrups seem to get... so they need to be shorter when you run so you don't have to "look" for them. |
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Hungarian Midget Woman
Location: Midwest | ACEINTHEHOLE - 2014-04-17 8:00 AM The faster you go, the longer your stirrups seem to get... so they need to be shorter when you run so you don't have to "look" for them.
I know, I was just joshin' with ya :) |
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Hungarian Midget Woman
Location: Midwest | That's actually true, hence why I felt like a jockey in my stirrup length for H/J stuff. :) |
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Tough Patooty
Posts: 2615
Location: Sperry, OK | barrelracr131 - 2014-04-17 8:01 AM ACEINTHEHOLE - 2014-04-17 8:00 AM The faster you go, the longer your stirrups seem to get... so they need to be shorter when you run so you don't have to "look" for them.
I know.. just wanted to clarify for some who might thing I was crazy... LOL.  |
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Big Gun
Posts: 2216
Location: Texas | I just feel like when they are shorter it may have a tendency to pop you up more. I rode around yesterday with longer than usual stirrups but didn't make a run just loped around and they felt pretty good, maybe I just had them too short |
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Rad Dork
Posts: 5218
Location: Oklahoma | ACEINTHEHOLE - 2014-04-17 7:47 AM I have always gone by the rule (and been told by trainers): When you feel comfortable just riding around, your stirrups are too long to run.
So does this mean that you should be slighty uncomfortable while warming up? Or do people adjust their stirrups before and after each run? (not trying to sound snarky, just genuinely curious)
I measured my distance yesterday on a gelding I'm riding (he's just being rode so that I can ride, not running barrels) and I had atleast five fingers, if not a little extra, in between my bum and the seat. I'm guessing I would need more like six/seven fingers if I needed to shorten the stirrups for him to make a run.
Is short stirrups the reason some people get so much "air" (think Fallon Taylor leaving 3rd) when leaving barrels? I can't see how that harsh settling back into the saddle can be good for a horse's back. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 602
| If you cant find a happy medium then go buy or use a hole punch. Ive had fenders stretch out a little but adjusting it up to the next spot was too short. Keep adjusting till you find it comfortable. |
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 I Always Miss the Good Stuff
Location: Oklahoma | ACEINTHEHOLE - 2014-04-17 8:05 AM barrelracr131 - 2014-04-17 8:01 AM ACEINTHEHOLE - 2014-04-17 8:00 AM The faster you go, the longer your stirrups seem to get... so they need to be shorter when you run so you don't have to "look" for them.
Some may, or may not, think you're crazy ANY WAY!!! LOL  |
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Lickable I mean Likeable
Posts: 3965
Location: De Berry, Tx | I ride with short stirrups and don't ever get air. I do use them fir balance. I have a friend that rides longer stirrups and she uses her butt more for balance I guess. It is really personal preference but when someone sits in one of my saddles they always make a comment about how short my stirrups are. I ride balance and quiet, meaning I don't do a lot of kicking or leaning. My above mentioned friend is a more aggressive kicker. |
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does anyone still use the 3 finger rule?