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 Georgia Peach
Posts: 8338
    
Location: Georgia |
For those of you who ride quick horses, how the heck do you stay focused and one step ahead of them? I'm working real hard on trusting my horse and letting her go her own speed - which feels like the speed of fricken light - but I just can not keep up. I'm 23 and semi-intelligent (I think) so this shouldnt be this hard!
Any tips or tricks for staying focused and quick-minded during a run?
Im accepting all suggestions including experimental drugs and/or alcohol.  
Edited by Runninbay 2014-08-20 8:47 PM
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 Total Germophobe
Posts: 6443
Location: Montana | I can kind of sympathize! My mare is still in the seasoning process, but our last run she just wanted to GOOOO to the first barrel...I need to learn to trust her, because even though I was trying to hold her back she was like "Don't worry, I got this." And it was the fastest time we have had to date on a standard pattern. But, I have no advice, unfortunately, so all I can do is offer sympathy!  |
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Georgia Peach
Posts: 8338
Location: Georgia | mtcanchazer - 2014-08-20 11:19 PM I can kind of sympathize! My mare is still in the seasoning process, but our last run she just wanted to GOOOO to the first barrel...I need to learn to trust her, because even though I was trying to hold her back she was like "Don't worry, I got this." And it was the fastest time we have had to date on a standard pattern. But, I have no advice, unfortunately, so all I can do is offer sympathy!
My mare is the same way. I guess I just dont think she can do it by herself but all im doing is getting in her way. I keep telling myself just let her go and steer but its HARD!
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Veteran
Posts: 294
| You just need to get used to going at a faster pace. I know it can be scary and our natural instinct is to pull back.
Just let her rip!!! |
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  Angel in a Sorrel Coat
Posts: 16030
Location: In a happy place | Having gotten old I can do a western pleasure lope around the barrels and feel like I am on a jet airplane. I don't know if this would help you but are your reins let out long? If I keep my reins short and can touch my horse quicker I tend to be able to trust a little better. Also when you come into the arena to make your run look at the spot beside the barrel where you want to run to and don't look anywhere else. Keep looking forward around the turn then look at your spot at the next barrel and so one.
Don't know if this even makes sense. |
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 Am I really the Weirdo?
Posts: 11181
Location: Kansas | I think it comes with time. The more I rode Clifford just at home, the more I could trust him going full speed. I also worked out hard all through June and strengthened my core so I could physically keep up with him. Knowing I wasn't going to get tossed around like a rag doll anymore helped me relax and let him roll. I thought I was in decent shape before, but the 30 Day Ab Challenge made a huge difference in my riding (plus I lost a few pounds in the process....yay!) |
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 Expert
Posts: 2457
| I can sympathize! I learned to trust my horses the more I rode them ... so lots of breezing (so I could really feel them move out fast) and lots of transitions back down to a shorter strided lope.
Also - working out (especially my core) has allowed me to be a MUCH better rider and stay with them so I don't feel left behind in a turn.
Good Luck and GO RIDE!! You can do it! |
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 Cute Little Imp
Posts: 2747
Location: N Texas | Runninbay - 2014-08-20 8:47 PM
For those of you who ride quick horses, how the heck do you stay focused and one step ahead of them? I'm working real hard on trusting my horse and letting her go her own speed - which feels like the speed of fricken light - but I just can not keep up. I'm 23 and semi-intelligent (I think) so this shouldnt be this hard!
Any tips or tricks for staying focused and quick-minded during a run?
Im accepting all suggestions including experimental drugs and/or alcohol.
Ya know, I see threads all the time about how to calm horses down at a race, but some of us need human versions of "calming cookies" or Ace! I hate tequila, so that's out  |
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Cute Little Imp
Posts: 2747
Location: N Texas | rodeowithjoker - 2014-08-21 8:56 AM I think it comes with time. The more I rode Clifford just at home, the more I could trust him going full speed. I also worked out hard all through June and strengthened my core so I could physically keep up with him. Knowing I wasn't going to get tossed around like a rag doll anymore helped me relax and let him roll. I thought I was in decent shape before, but the 30 Day Ab Challenge made a huge difference in my riding (plus I lost a few pounds in the process....yay!)
I think a lot of people (myself included) underestimate how important it is for the rider to also be fit. |
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Rad Dork
Posts: 5218
Location: Oklahoma | sorrel horse ranch - 2014-08-21 8:52 AM Having gotten old I can do a western pleasure lope around the barrels and feel like I am on a jet airplane. I don't know if this would help you but are your reins let out long? If I keep my reins short and can touch my horse quicker I tend to be able to trust a little better. Also when you come into the arena to make your run look at the spot beside the barrel where you want to run to and don't look anywhere else. Keep looking forward around the turn then look at your spot at the next barrel and so one.
Don't know if this even makes sense.
I second the rein shortening. After watching my runs from this weekend I joked with a friend that I look like I was directing airplanes on the runway... they were that long. I feel in love with a quick horse back when I was horse shopping. He was one of the quickest horses I've ever been on, but I was always behind him. Part of it was my core and not being back up to standards with my riding (took a 7.5 year break), but part of it was also my saddle. My saddle was doing me no favors in keeping me centered. I've switched saddles (in a Crown C now) and even though my core isn't where it should be and I'm not pushing my horse like I should, I feel a lot more confident in my seat. I don't feel like I get tossed around as much. |
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Total Germophobe
Posts: 6443
Location: Montana | I have to agree with making sure you have good core strength. I've been working on that this year as well, and it has helped a lot. |
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 Own It and Move On
Location: The edge of no where | I'm going to stress core strength as well. I've found doing a few planks daily to be helpful. Your saddle is crucial, you've got to be centered.
Short reins and proper hand placement.
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Georgia Peach
Posts: 8338
Location: Georgia |
Thank you for all the responses. I'm so glad that shortening the reins was brought up. A good friend of mine suggested I do that about a month ago and I have seen some improvements. I will definitely be leaving them short! I will be looking into some good core exercises. I could absolutely be in better shape and as some of you pointed out, that could be one of my problems. I expect my horse to be in too shape so I need to be on a workout program too! |
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Am I really the Weirdo?
Posts: 11181
Location: Kansas | Gunner11 - 2014-08-21 10:07 AM rodeowithjoker - 2014-08-21 8:56 AM I think it comes with time. The more I rode Clifford just at home, the more I could trust him going full speed. I also worked out hard all through June and strengthened my core so I could physically keep up with him. Knowing I wasn't going to get tossed around like a rag doll anymore helped me relax and let him roll. I thought I was in decent shape before, but the 30 Day Ab Challenge made a huge difference in my riding (plus I lost a few pounds in the process....yay!) I think a lot of people (myself included ) underestimate how important it is for the rider to also be fit.
Clifford used to physically abuse me during runs but as I got stronger, running him got easier because I could physically keep up. I am also not stepping off him feeling like I just did a P90X workout. It sounds so simple but if you only do one type of workout, make it a core workout.....plank, crunches, sit ups, leg raises/lowers (lay on your back and try to raise & lower your legs without just dropping them). The 30 Day Ab Challenge workouts don't take very long (I think less than 10 minutes for the first couple weeks) but it will make a difference if you do every workout.
Two videos that illustrate the difference in my riding after improving my core strength.
March -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1kv9Fn7JOw&list=UU3h0VmyuYbqBRUor4JBQVlA
June -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6QmdOCFWC4&list=UU3h0VmyuYbqBRUor4JBQVlA |
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| Besides balance core strength, proper fitting saddle and stirrups for rider.
I find the most important thing is to practice perfect, visualize the perfect run, and what you as a rider are doing during that perfect run.
I have actually walked my horse around the holding area and go through the movements of what I am going to do including leg pressure dropping to one hand, going to two hands, etc. muscle memory is a big part. |
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Hungarian Midget Woman
Location: Midwest | 1. Hold on
2. Pray (this includes screaming "Oh Jeebus!" during a run)
This is my approach, though I'm not one you should probably take lessons from
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 507
Location: Lost in the corn of Iowa. | rodeowithjoker - 2014-08-21 8:56 AM
I think it comes with time. The more I rode Clifford just at home, the more I could trust him going full speed. I also worked out hard all through June and strengthened my core so I could physically keep up with him. Knowing I wasn't going to get tossed around like a rag doll anymore helped me relax and let him roll. I thought I was in decent shape before, but the 30 Day Ab Challenge made a huge difference in my riding (plus I lost a few pounds in the process....yay!)
I sort of did the same thing with my mare and continue to do it. I ride bareback. No pad no nothing but a bridle. And go through the gaits around the pattern or a tree, bale of hay or whatever. I will strengthen you up so you can stay with your horse better. I'm seasoning right now and about the time I get my mare figured out she is leaving me behind on the next run. This has helped buckets. Good luck! |
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 You get what you give
Posts: 13030
Location: Texas | Well, after My horse left me at the third barrel and I went behind the cantle, and scrambled back into my seat… I realized I had a fast horse. LOL.
With her now, I have to be really good about throttling her to the first barrel. She is super fast and will sail by it if I let her. Once she turns the first it's just "hang on and don't go go the horn too early." She accelerates to the second barrel so hard it's all I can do to even get to the horn in time. Going to the third barrel I sometimes stay on my horn and sometimes go back to two hands in case she needs to be steadied to the third. When she feels good, she needs no help from me.
Basically with her it's- saddle better keep me forward, use my HORN leaving the barrels, and have core strength to not get whiplashed. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 617
Location: London Ontario | cheryl makofka - 2014-08-22 12:25 AM Besides balance core strength, proper fitting saddle and stirrups for rider. I find the most important thing is to practice perfect, visualize the perfect run, and what you as a rider are doing during that perfect run. I have actually walked my horse around the holding area and go through the movements of what I am going to do including leg pressure dropping to one hand, going to two hands, etc. muscle memory is a big part.
This is huge!!!! Mentality plays a huge roll in doing well. I am usually the one sitting in the corner on my horse visualizing my run in the warm up pen. I think about when my hand are coming up to each barrel and around them, where I am looking, what my body is doing etc. Coworkers often see me spacing out at work as I visualize or before I go to bed. It also plays a big role in dealing with pressure and stess!!!
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Staying focused and ahead of your horse.....