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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 319
| Trying to add speed to my runs now. I've gotten checks in 4D 3 times now!! My horse can go faster but me not so much. My feet get way behind me. Somehow. Any tips on how to remember to keep them forward? I KNOW I'm suppose to but find myself hauling to 3rd barrel or out the alley & feet are bent up behind me & have no way to brace myself. |
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  More bootie than waist!
Posts: 18425
   
Location: Riding Crackhead. | Shorten your stirrups |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1066
| Find a saddle that makes your feet stay out front. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 816
| you could use a rubber band and tie it from the stirrup to the d ring to keep the stirrups forward. it would break if you got in a wreck but might give enough assistance to keep your feet forward. make sure your putting your weight in your heels. I just remember being young and riding colts and being yelled at the whole time "heels down, chin up, and for god sakes watch their ears!!" lol! I used to roll my eyes then but im telling my kids the same things now. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 319
| Would love a new saddle but no money for it right now. I've played with stirrups & they feel like right length. I split the difference between 2 holes. The shorter length felt too short but if it will help I'll try it.
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 Expert
Posts: 1898
| CYA Ranch - 2013-11-19 2:22 PM
Shorten your stirrups
This! But if this doesn't work maybe they are too short? Most people I have given lessons to with this problem are riding with their stirrups to long but there is that handful that have them to short and are forced to pull their feet back to keep their butts from having a fight with their cantle!
ETA: No matter which way you go, either up or down, is going to feel awkward at first. You will need to ride with them and get used to the different feel before you run.
ALSO when I was having this problem I found that my saddle was to small  I sold my old saddle and bought a 1/2 size bigger and it made all the difference in the world. No one wants to hear their saddle is too small but wow did it make the difference!
Edited by cyount2009 2013-11-19 2:53 PM
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 364
| A big part of it could be your saddle. Either seat size or the way the fenders are hung. Most importantly, though really work on your horsemanship. Believe me, if you ride enough colts that could throw your butt, and you'll soon find out where your seat and feet need to be. Don't balance on your reins and DO use the saddle horn; it's there for a reason. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 319
| So how do you decide if stirrups are at the right length? This is an honest question. Where they are now is comfortable & they stay forward when loping or even high lope. But last night he ran faster than I've ever gone heading for 3'rd and as we got there I panicked cause my legs completely out of position to brace. |
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Duct Tape Bikini Girl
Posts: 2554
| Make sure the seat of your saddle is large enough. If it is not, it will throw your upper body forward and your feet will go back. |
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Expert
Posts: 1898
| nance - 2013-11-19 3:15 PM
So how do you decide if stirrups are at the right length? This is an honest question. Where they are now is comfortable & they stay forward when loping or even high lope. But last night he ran faster than I've ever gone heading for 3'rd and as we got there I panicked cause my legs completely out of position to brace.
I ride mine really short, when I stand up in my saddle you can see 3 to 4 inches of daylight between my seat and the crotch of my jeans. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 319
| luckyjo - 2013-11-19 3:22 PM Make sure the seat of your saddle is large enough. If it is not, it will throw your upper body forward and your feet will go back.
Is there a rule of thumb when deciding saddle seat size? Mine is a 15" with extra padding. I'm 5'4" and 145 lbs. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 319
| nance - 2013-11-19 3:27 PM luckyjo - 2013-11-19 3:22 PM Make sure the seat of your saddle is large enough. If it is not, it will throw your upper body forward and your feet will go back. Is there a rule of thumb when deciding saddle seat size? Mine is a 15" with extra padding. I'm 5'4" and 145 lbs.
Hmmm. Mine aren't that short. I'll give it a try! |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 364
| Shoulders, hips and feet should be aligned in a comfortable position. I personally don't like stirrups too short OR too long. When you are balanced, you can easily and slightly shift your weight forward and backward. You should not have to "brace" for the turn. When you come up to the barrel, just shift your weight to your seat...feel your horse rate...and sit your turn. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 319
| LabRat - 2013-11-19 3:34 PM Shoulders, hips and feet should be aligned in a comfortable position. I personally don't like stirrups too short OR too long. When you are balanced, you can easily and slightly shift your weight forward and backward. You should not have to "brace" for the turn. When you come up to the barrel, just shift your weight to your seat...feel your horse rate...and sit your turn.
Thanks |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1094
Location: Idahome | Strengthening your core muscles can also help. You should also be trying to squeeze with your knees to some degree which should help as well.
I do agree with checking your stirrups. You would be amazed what a difference it will make. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 975
Location: Iowa/Missouri | You might try riding in a 14 inch seat. I'm about your size if not just a hair bigger and have always rode in a 14 inch seat. |
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 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | If your seat is to small for you it will be harder to get your feet foreward. So make sure you have the right seat size.  |
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More bootie than waist!
Posts: 18425
Location: Riding Crackhead. | cyount2009 - 2013-11-19 3:24 PM nance - 2013-11-19 3:15 PM So how do you decide if stirrups are at the right length? This is an honest question. Where they are now is comfortable & they stay forward when loping or even high lope. But last night he ran faster than I've ever gone heading for 3'rd and as we got there I panicked cause my legs completely out of position to brace. I ride mine really short, when I stand up in my saddle you can see 3 to 4 inches of daylight between my seat and the crotch of my jeans.
I ride mine short too as you describe. It makes it easier for me to get up when needed, sit when needed and put my legs where they need to be. |
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| I second the stirrup length, all my horses I ride on different stirrup lengths. I play with it till I am comfortable.
I also have to grab the mane on my one horse by her poll to pull me out of the saddle or with her power I would be behind the cantle.
So also practice grabbing the mane to pull yourself up |
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 I Prefer to Live in Fantasy Land
Posts: 64864
Location: In the Hills of Texas | nance - 2013-11-19 3:15 PM So how do you decide if stirrups are at the right length? This is an honest question. Where they are now is comfortable & they stay forward when loping or even high lope. But last night he ran faster than I've ever gone heading for 3'rd and as we got there I panicked cause my legs completely out of position to brace.
Sounds like you need some horsemanship lessons to teach you to put weight in your stirrups. I've seen many people that when they add speed to a run they bring their legs up and squeeze with their knees putting them into a fetal position. Your body gets tilted forward and your feet will go behind you.
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