Staying centered and not leaning forward

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Staying centered and not leaning forward Moderators: luluwhit, gotothewhip, cindyt, crossspur, ForumAdmin Jump to page :	Last activity 2017-10-16 2:05 PM 5 replies, 2258 views View previous thread :: View next thread
General Discussion -> Barrel Talk


turnthree Reg. Oct 2016	Posted 2017-10-16 1:30 PM Subject: Staying centered and not leaning forward
	I'm finding myself leaning forward during my run and I feel this is causing my horse to anticipate and drop in his turn. When I make a practice run we are absolutely perfect! But then when I make a competition run and I get excited everything falls apart. I feel like I'm "throwing" or pushing myself forward and then I feel off balance, tippy, and like I'm getting popped up. I know its totally me and it's so frustrating! I'm thinking of letting out my stirrups but not sure if that will help. Does anyone else have any advice or things I can try? Any type of exercises?
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Nateracer Reg. Feb 2008	Posted 2017-10-16 1:46 PM Subject: RE: Staying centered and not leaning forward
Miss Laundry Misshap Posts: 5271	You need to lock your elbow and push back on the saddle horn with your locked elbow locked against your body, braced up against your hip. Palm pushed into the horn. Then coming out of the turn, you need to pull yourself forward. This is a pretty bad photo of what I mean. LOL. But my horse drops in front and if I don't push back with that locked elbow, I'd go over his head (and have).
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clampitt Reg. Feb 2006	Posted 2017-10-16 1:49 PM Subject: RE: Staying centered and not leaning forward
Elite Veteran Posts: 966 Location: Loco,Ok	Everything changes when you put up the cash. Just breath make a practice run. Take the cash out of the way. Have fun. At home a few times drop the hammer and ask him for it. Your timing is different slow than fast also. Build confidence in both you and your horse. Speed disrupts everything. Breath. Have fun.
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Nateracer Reg. Feb 2008	Posted 2017-10-16 1:49 PM Subject: RE: Staying centered and not leaning forward
Miss Laundry Misshap Posts: 5271	Here's a better pic. Braced against the saddle horn, not letting momentum throw me forward.
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turnthree Reg. Oct 2016	Posted 2017-10-16 1:57 PM Subject: RE: Staying centered and not leaning forward
	Nateracer - 2017-10-16 12:49 PM Here's a better pic. Braced against the saddle horn, not letting momentum throw me forward. Thank you! Great tip! I will definitely give it a try. I think that will help out a lot.
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turnthree Reg. Oct 2016	Posted 2017-10-16 2:05 PM Subject: RE: Staying centered and not leaning forward
	clampitt - 2017-10-16 12:49 PM Everything changes when you put up the cash. Just breath make a practice run. Take the cash out of the way. Have fun. At home a few times drop the hammer and ask him for it. Your timing is different slow than fast also. Build confidence in both you and your horse. Speed disrupts everything. Breath. Have fun. I definitely get way too nervous and your exactly right, I just need to go back and just look at it as a practice run. I know it's totally me because I've hauled to a couple of friend's arenas and there was a bunch of us there and made practice runs and I did great. I'm only going to small jackpots so I cant say the atmosphere is much different. It's quiet, no crowds or anything, so the only difference would be that entry fee.
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