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What Name?
Posts: 1994
   
| So, Techinically I've been riding since I was 9. I've been riding PROPERLY since august. Ha ha. Meaning, I was self taught growing up. No one gave me lessons. Family isn't horsey people.ect...
Well I took lessons with Charlie while he was training my two year old (now 3) on his solid reining horse. According to him I've really progressed, and I have. I'm definately a more confident rider. But I'm TERRIFIED. I'm going to unknowningly undo some of charlies work and I don't have the money to throw at more lessons. It's something I need to perfect on my own. Here are some things I have noticed I have issues with, which I'm sure are simply novice mistakes. So any advice will be great!
* When I lope, I tend to lose steering. But I dont think it's him. Because it happens more on the left lead ( both our problematic side) more than anything. I feel like maybe I'm more bracey and unintentionally put pressure with my legs ? and it confusses him. ( going to try and get some videos this weekend.)
Is there some deliberate exercises I can use when we lope beside finding a point and focusing that might help?
* also, I've been on working on his 'single hand reining' and 'neck reining' that charlie started him one. But I have no clue what I need to be doing to gradually increase his response to it
Ive never been a big poster. And my geldings trot is smooth enough to sit it. But I want to learn to post better for the horses I'll need it on. But I feel like when I post I put way too much pressure in my stirrups and it throws him off. Where should I be putting more pressure on the up post?
Thanks in advance. I'll try and add a video tomorrow so ya'll can see first hand these issues and maybe help me with some ideas.
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I just read the headlines
Posts: 4483
| Have you been to a chiro lately? I was riding the other day, when it was dry, and I noticed my horse wanting to drift to the left. I corrected him several times, because he was drifting as soon as my correction stopped. Well, I stopped to think a minute and it just popped in my head to scoot my right hip back a smidge. Wow! He traveled straight! It was me the whole time. So I went to my doc and sure enough I was out. I also tend to put more weight on my left seat bone. I fight that alot too. | |
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 Expert
Posts: 2457
| Everyone has to start somewhere and you're doing it!
I have problems with my pelvis and hips "going out". Long story short b/c of a car crash - so when I notice something off with my horses, I go get adjusted. Maybe a place to start since you're having trouble mostly on the left side?
Next, ya got access to a safe round pen? When I helped a little gal (8 yo) learn to ride, I threw her on my super finished horse bareback and let her develop a seat in the round pen. Super safe, I had the lunge line, she was responsible for not coming off. Took us a few weeks but she learned her balance, how to use her seat, and where to put her legs really quickly. Maybe try bareback on a horse that isn't newly broke? It can really help develop your riding skills.
To develop the neck reining more - I'd honestly go back once a month to the trainer, ride with him on your horse, and ask him to give you things to work on. I do not believe it would be money wasted at all.
When you are posting - heels down, knees gripping, push up with your thighs and flatten/square up your hips. Try this video - It explains the process of the diaganol to choose. But most importantly, look at the rider. She is balanced, square with the horse, and moves freely with her mount. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U182ZnrwxaI
Good luck!! You can do it!!! It just takes a lot of saddle time! | |
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 I Chore in Chucks
Posts: 2882
Location: MD | when you're posting, "rise and fall with the shoulder on the wall" your diagonals will soon become a feel thing if you focus on it. Also when you're posting fall into your heels to lengthen your leg, don't force them down. Use your core muscles and thigh muscles to post and keep your seat. We were originally taught to keep our knees off of the saddle and toes out and then once we started using our upper body and thighs correctly, then straighten your toes and leg. When your core is engaged you're more likely to keep yourself in a good frame, then leading to correct riding, leading to a correct horse.
During the lope-inside leg at the girth, outside leg back, shaping him around those turns(don't forget to engage your core!). Before you touch those reins, ask with your seat, then with your legs, then with your hands.
And ALWAYS remember to have your horse follow his nose. If he's loping in a circle with his nose pointed to the rail he's going to start veering before you know it. He's still young and I'm sure very smart, don't obsess with messing him up... it's all a learning process and nobody is perfect :) (except for Ryan Gosling... yum.)
I spent 9 years riding HUS, Hunter Jumpers, and introductory Dressage horses.
Edited by Crowned Image 2015-01-23 9:23 AM
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 356
| In regards to posting - the best description of it that I've heard is "controlled bouncing"! Let the horse's movement lift you up and sit you back down, and keep the movement controlled with your hips and thigh muscles. Don't think about going up and down - it's more of a forward and up slightly and then backward and down slightly type of movement. | |
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 Accident Prone
Posts: 22277
Location: 100 miles from Nowhere, AR | Loping correct circles...what has helped me more than anything is to put my inside hand on the point of the hip and use my outside hand on the reins. Your steering is mostly legs and body anyway, and doing this exercise sets you up perfectly. You get the feel of where you're supposed to be, so when you go back to sitting regular, you can replicate the position. Another version of this that I use that really helps the visual is to use your inside hand to point where you want your horse to go and make your head follow your finger. I use this more on the pattern, but you can use it for circles too if you're having trouble finding your spot and riding to it.
Posting is a core/balance thing mainly, the rest is leg strength. You don't stand in your stirrups, you don't pinch with your knees. Let the horse push you up with his rhythm and use your legs and stirrups for stability. If the horse isn't pushing you, his butt isn't working. It doesn't have to be a big obvious movement, but you should feel it. I'm teaching my daughter to post now, and it helps her to close her eyes and feel what the horse is doing rather than trying to watch legs. | |
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I just read the headlines
Posts: 4483
| k.maddocks24 - 2015-01-23 10:07 AM
In regards to posting - the best description of it that I've heard is "controlled bouncing"! Let the horse's movement lift you up and sit you back down, and keep the movement controlled with your hips and thigh muscles. Don't think about going up and down - it's more of a forward and up slightly and then backward and down slightly type of movement.
^^this is what my dressage instructor told me many years ago. Really good advice and it makes posting so much easier! | |
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  Twin Sister to Queen Boobie
Posts: 13315
Location: East Tennessee but who knows?! | You've gotten some good advice on posting, etc.
One thing that will help in regards to steering is to work more on balance and develop and independent seat.
What happens is that we depend a whole lot on our hands for balance-- more than we realize. Just having anything in your hands (not even pulling) impacts balance a good bit. Our balance changes and we often use our hands to help counteract it and our hands wind up acting with our seat. I've had students who rode beautifully with loose reins. Take the reins away and they could stay on all because they hadn't developed an independent seat.
The best thing for that is riding without reins and work on exercises for balance specifically. I posted a bunch of exercises on here earlier this week.
The same thing happens with your legs too-- your balance changes and you react in your legs and wind up cuing your horse. One of the exercises I had posted works on this as well.
As far as working on handle, start out with bigger circles and work your way down.
One thing I do with mine that I'm working on getting a handle with is instead of riding with the reins (split) together in one hand like for reining,etc I cross them over each other like you do for a snaffle and then hold that one handed. It's a step up from riding two handed but not as hard as riding truly one handed and you still have a little direct rein.
Another thing is remember to pick up and release. Get them just started in a direction and then drop/release that rein. You might have to pick it up again 2 seconds later but eventually they'll start to hunt where they need to be and their handle will get better. It also helps free them up a little more. | |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1119
| I just wanted to say, that I am in the same spot you are...sort of. My parents are both horsey, so I had plenty of instruction growing up, but I grew up riding Tennessee Walkers. We showed some (flat shod, not the big lick stuff) and mostly trail rode. All we were ever concerned about was conditioning the horse to stay in either a flat walk or running walk. I had never loped a horse until I went to college! I've got a mare in barrel training right now, and I am terrified that I am going to screw her up lol. I have a lot of holes in my riding that I am trying to fill, so I've got my calendar booked up with local clinics for this year in hopes that I will continue to fill holes I don't even know I have! I have always wanted to barrel race, so I've quit making excuses on why I can't do it this year and I'm just going for it! | |
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 Warmblood with Wings
Posts: 27846
Location: Florida.. | you can always take seat lessons .. lunge line lessons..no stirrups..Id not grip your knees at all..let your legs lay softly by his side.. no gripping.... it blocks your horse..let the horse carry you up and down with his movement.. your core will keep you balanced.. your hip pelvis .. feet flat on stirrups.. | |
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 The Vaccinator
Posts: 3810
Location: Slipping down the slope of old age. Boo hoo. | When I was showing Hunt Seat, we had to post with no stirrups. Talk about learning to sit up there and ride. and to have balance. It was wonderful. | |
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What Name?
Posts: 1994
| Thanks Ladies for all the advice! I have some pretty great resources at the barn, having access to not only my horses and 5 of Charlies Huttons and his tutelage. Plus a girl whos been rodeoing my entire life. I'm definately going to give some of this advice a whirl. I was told I have a pretty good natural seat and good hand 'posture and positioning' I just gotta work on putting every thing together without over thinking it too much.
I think I'm going to try riding him bare-back today and see how he takes to it in a round pen. Having access to a huge indoor arena whenever I need it defintely gives me a safe area to ride him in, and the round pens in it. I was told bare-backing more as long as he and I are both comfortable with it will help my balance a lot natural and I wont focus so much on the areas I dont need to because I will feel where I need my weigh and I'll feel how he reacts to it?
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What Name?
Posts: 1994
| MissouriJen - 2015-01-23 1:14 PM I just wanted to say, that I am in the same spot you are...sort of. My parents are both horsey, so I had plenty of instruction growing up, but I grew up riding Tennessee Walkers. We showed some (flat shod, not the big lick stuff) and mostly trail rode. All we were ever concerned about was conditioning the horse to stay in either a flat walk or running walk. I had never loped a horse until I went to college! I've got a mare in barrel training right now, and I am terrified that I am going to screw her up lol. I have a lot of holes in my riding that I am trying to fill, so I've got my calendar booked up with local clinics for this year in hopes that I will continue to fill holes I don't even know I have! I have always wanted to barrel race, so I've quit making excuses on why I can't do it this year and I'm just going for it!
Yea! It's pretty amazing how my eyes have been completely opened to how 'not experienced' I was as a rider. It didn't help that the horse I was riding when younger was gaited. So honestly, there is a totally different set of riding skills as apposed to my quarter. But out of all the quarters I've ridden lately I have to say his gates are the easiest for me to ride, even out of Charlies horses. He's a really mover, and pretty leg. Makes for some smooth transitions. Sadly, he's further ahead in his training than I am ha ha! But, practice makes perfect! | |
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Red Bull Agressive
Posts: 5981
Location: North Dakota | americanpride08 - 2015-01-23 7:12 AM So, Techinically I've been riding since I was 9. I've been riding PROPERLY since august. Ha ha. Meaning, I was self taught growing up. No one gave me lessons. Family isn't horsey people.ect...
Well I took lessons with Charlie while he was training my two year old (now 3) on his solid reining horse. According to him I've really progressed, and I have. I'm definately a more confident rider. But I'm TERRIFIED. I'm going to unknowningly undo some of charlies work and I don't have the money to throw at more lessons. It's something I need to perfect on my own. Here are some things I have noticed I have issues with, which I'm sure are simply novice mistakes. So any advice will be great!
* When I lope, I tend to lose steering. But I dont think it's him. Because it happens more on the left lead ( both our problematic side) more than anything. I feel like maybe I'm more bracey and unintentionally put pressure with my legs ? and it confusses him. ( going to try and get some videos this weekend.)
Is there some deliberate exercises I can use when we lope beside finding a point and focusing that might help?
* also, I've been on working on his 'single hand reining' and 'neck reining' that charlie started him one. But I have no clue what I need to be doing to gradually increase his response to it
Ive never been a big poster. And my geldings trot is smooth enough to sit it. But I want to learn to post better for the horses I'll need it on. But I feel like when I post I put way too much pressure in my stirrups and it throws him off. Where should I be putting more pressure on the up post?
Thanks in advance. I'll try and add a video tomorrow so ya'll can see first hand these issues and maybe help me with some ideas.
I would HIGHLY recommend continuing to take lessons, at least once a month to catch any issues you may be having and help you advance. It will NOT be wasted money.
When cantering, it's easy to unconsciously use your hands for stability and thus confuse the horse as well as not leave your hands free to help steer. As others have said, practice riding without reins. My favorite saying for how to move WITH your horse at the canter is "hips of a whore, shoulders of a princess". I can't remember where I heard that but it's true. Relax and let your hips move in the saddle with the horse's movement. Your shoulders should stay upright and level. Think about letting your weight sink into your heels. Don't force and brace them down, but let them sink. Don't allow your legs to flop around.
When you post, remember to "rise and fall with the leg on the wall". Trotting on the wrong diagonal sucks. Think about again, letting your weight sink into your heels. You should not stand up in the stirrups but let the horse lift you. You should NEVER grip with your knee but rather use the inner thigh muscles to help lift you. You should be able to post with no stirrups, just using your thigh (it won't be a big post). I think for you some time on a lunge line riding stirrup-less and/or rein-less will help you find your balance and rythm.
When it comes to neck reining I'm no pro. I have ridden for 15 years and just for the first time bought a horse that neck reins. I rode western pleasure/reining horses when I was a kid but after that spent my time riding huntseat, dressage, and some barrels so neck reining was not taught. When I first started neck reining I always wanted to keep my hand low and back by the swell, and my horse was confused. Bringing your hand forward and thinking pushing him in the direction you want rather than pulling helped me cue him in a way he could understand. Doing it correctly, consistently will help reinforce what your guy has learned so far. | |
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Red Bull Agressive
Posts: 5981
Location: North Dakota | americanpride08 - 2015-01-24 12:07 PM Thanks Ladies for all the advice! I have some pretty great resources at the barn, having access to not only my horses and 5 of Charlies Huttons and his tutelage. Plus a girl whos been rodeoing my entire life. I'm definately going to give some of this advice a whirl. I was told I have a pretty good natural seat and good hand 'posture and positioning' I just gotta work on putting every thing together without over thinking it too much.
I think I'm going to try riding him bare-back today and see how he takes to it in a round pen. Having access to a huge indoor arena whenever I need it defintely gives me a safe area to ride him in, and the round pens in it. I was told bare-backing more as long as he and I are both comfortable with it will help my balance a lot natural and I wont focus so much on the areas I dont need to because I will feel where I need my weigh and I'll feel how he reacts to it?
Yeah bareback will help your balance a ton. If you need to hold on to the mane with one hand for stability to begin with that's fine.
Edited by cavyrunsbarrels 2015-01-24 2:13 PM
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What Name?
Posts: 1994
| cavyrunsbarrels - 2015-01-24 2:08 PM americanpride08 - 2015-01-23 7:12 AM So, Techinically I've been riding since I was 9. I've been riding PROPERLY since august. Ha ha. Meaning, I was self taught growing up. No one gave me lessons. Family isn't horsey people.ect...
Well I took lessons with Charlie while he was training my two year old (now 3) on his solid reining horse. According to him I've really progressed, and I have. I'm definately a more confident rider. But I'm TERRIFIED. I'm going to unknowningly undo some of charlies work and I don't have the money to throw at more lessons. It's something I need to perfect on my own. Here are some things I have noticed I have issues with, which I'm sure are simply novice mistakes. So any advice will be great!
* When I lope, I tend to lose steering. But I dont think it's him. Because it happens more on the left lead ( both our problematic side) more than anything. I feel like maybe I'm more bracey and unintentionally put pressure with my legs ? and it confusses him. ( going to try and get some videos this weekend.)
Is there some deliberate exercises I can use when we lope beside finding a point and focusing that might help?
* also, I've been on working on his 'single hand reining' and 'neck reining' that charlie started him one. But I have no clue what I need to be doing to gradually increase his response to it
Ive never been a big poster. And my geldings trot is smooth enough to sit it. But I want to learn to post better for the horses I'll need it on. But I feel like when I post I put way too much pressure in my stirrups and it throws him off. Where should I be putting more pressure on the up post?
Thanks in advance. I'll try and add a video tomorrow so ya'll can see first hand these issues and maybe help me with some ideas.
I would HIGHLY recommend continuing to take lessons, at least once a month to catch any issues you may be having and help you advance. It will NOT be wasted money.
When cantering, it's easy to unconsciously use your hands for stability and thus confuse the horse as well as not leave your hands free to help steer. As others have said, practice riding without reins. My favorite saying for how to move WITH your horse at the canter is "hips of a whore, shoulders of a princess". I can't remember where I heard that but it's true. Relax and let your hips move in the saddle with the horse's movement. Your shoulders should stay upright and level. Think about letting your weight sink into your heels. Don't force and brace them down, but let them sink. Don't allow your legs to flop around.
When you post, remember to "rise and fall with the leg on the wall". Trotting on the wrong diagonal sucks. Think about again, letting your weight sink into your heels. You should not stand up in the stirrups but let the horse lift you. You should NEVER grip with your knee but rather use the inner thigh muscles to help lift you. You should be able to post with no stirrups, just using your thigh (it won't be a big post). I think for you some time on a lunge line riding stirrup-less and/or rein-less will help you find your balance and rythm.
When it comes to neck reining I'm no pro. I have ridden for 15 years and just for the first time bought a horse that neck reins. I rode western pleasure/reining horses when I was a kid but after that spent my time riding huntseat, dressage, and some barrels so neck reining was not taught. When I first started neck reining I always wanted to keep my hand low and back by the swell, and my horse was confused. Bringing your hand forward and thinking pushing him in the direction you want rather than pulling helped me cue him in a way he could understand. Doing it correctly, consistently will help reinforce what your guy has learned so far.
My friend Kate gave me some pointers too this weekend since she sees me ride almost everyday and also helped train Bug, so she's aware of his 'difficult areas' So the steering is actually improving.
I did ride bareback and got a much better feel for him. Though I rode with a bridle simply because he's still a two year old and has some more maturing today. He's also named bug for a reason ha ha.. he can be a bit spooky. Which is why im not completely confident enough to ride him without stirrups. Though we've made progress, he still spooks and he is VERY FAST in his turns. Stirrups are the only thing that helps me keep my seat when he spooks. That being said I do ride a couple of Charlie's horses occassionally and ride them without stirrups to work on balance and where I put pressure for them to move off of. I will be continuing occassional lessons alittle bit down the road when I get finances for things straightened back out, but Kate is helping me quiet a bit. I told her whenever she sees me doing something incorrectly to let me know. Since we ride together a lot, I feel like that will definately help me out.
Thanks for all the advice!
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