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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1035
 
Location: TN | I've realized that one reason I struggle with leaning too far forward in my Crown C when running is my reins are shorter when I run and I have to lean forward to reach. My horse has a longer neck and likes to run more with his nose out and I have a pretty long torso so I have to lean down to not pull on him which throws me forward and my feet back and out of balance.
However, if my reins are long (like a normal riding length) I have too much to mess with in the turns when I need to help him rate and turn. I'm working on my body position, but I'm thinking adjusting/changing reins would help.
So... could I run in longer reins with knots to help me find the "sweet spot" on my reins in the turns? If so, what kind of knotted reins do you all like? Or do you have other suggestions?
Edited by KatieMac88 2015-02-04 10:11 PM
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  Sock eating dog owner
Posts: 4553
 
Location: Where the pavement ends and the West begins Utah | I set my reins 3-4 inches in front of my horn unless I have a short necked horse then it's 8 inches. You can tie a knot in leather reins where you think your sweet spot is and leave it there. there really is no need for 3 knots. Pay attention to where you grab for the turn and use that as a guide. If my horse is wanting to lug on the rein in the turn I'll place the knot so my rein won't slide out of my hand other wise having knot is not necessary. Lately I find a one inch heavy leather harness rein is my favorite to run in. |
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 Whack and Roll
Posts: 6342
 
Location: NE Texas | When I tried the Crown C I felt like I was about to kiss my horse between the ears at every step, so I can absolutely see what you're saying. No way could I make a run in one! You might consider getting a saddle that rides more balanced instead. My competition reins are about 4" in front of my horn with my horses head in a normal position. At home I ride with mostly split reins. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1035
Location: TN | Herbie - 2015-02-05 8:42 AM When I tried the Crown C I felt like I was about to kiss my horse between the ears at every step, so I can absolutely see what you're saying. No way could I make a run in one! You might consider getting a saddle that rides more balanced instead. My competition reins are about 4" in front of my horn with my horses head in a normal position. At home I ride with mostly split reins.
That's what I was afraid of Herbie. I ordered my saddle 2 years ago and I love it, but I think you're right. It's hard for me to sit down in the turns on my droppy horse. |
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 Own It and Move On
Location: The edge of no where | I'm going to second this. They push me forward which causes my feet to get behind me. I'd put money that you won't have that problem with a different saddle. (and yes I had custom fitted trees, and worked with Brian on it)... |
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 Accident Prone
Posts: 22277
Location: 100 miles from Nowhere, AR | My crown C sits me very balanced on most horses. Can't ride it very well on downhill horses tho unless it's too tight on them because that sets the front up higher--but is obviously a bad idea.
As for reins, if you're leaning forward to not pull, they're too short. I have short arms, so I can't ride them as short as some people. You can add your own knots to any rein. Braided reins, thread and tie a piece of leather string where you want it. Anything else, you can wrap it with electric tape to mark your place. That way, you are marking the precise spot and don't have to deal with extra knots or reins that you don't really like just because they have knots. |
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Whack and Roll
Posts: 6342
Location: NE Texas | KatieMac88 - 2015-02-05 8:54 AM Herbie - 2015-02-05 8:42 AM When I tried the Crown C I felt like I was about to kiss my horse between the ears at every step, so I can absolutely see what you're saying. No way could I make a run in one! You might consider getting a saddle that rides more balanced instead. My competition reins are about 4" in front of my horn with my horses head in a normal position. At home I ride with mostly split reins. That's what I was afraid of Herbie. I ordered my saddle 2 years ago and I love it, but I think you're right. It's hard for me to sit down in the turns on my droppy horse.
I've fought this for years with barrel saddles. If I have to ride something that when I stand up my feet swing behind me then i'm screwed.....literally. HAHA Wish you were in NE Texas.....i'd let you take a spin in my saddle and you'd insantly see the difference. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1035
Location: TN | Herbie - 2015-02-05 9:01 AM KatieMac88 - 2015-02-05 8:54 AM Herbie - 2015-02-05 8:42 AM When I tried the Crown C I felt like I was about to kiss my horse between the ears at every step, so I can absolutely see what you're saying. No way could I make a run in one! You might consider getting a saddle that rides more balanced instead. My competition reins are about 4" in front of my horn with my horses head in a normal position. At home I ride with mostly split reins. That's what I was afraid of Herbie. I ordered my saddle 2 years ago and I love it, but I think you're right. It's hard for me to sit down in the turns on my droppy horse.
Me too! What saddle do you ride now? |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1035
Location: TN | MS2011 - 2015-02-05 9:01 AM I'm going to second this. They push me forward which causes my feet to get behind me. I'd put money that you won't have that problem with a different saddle. (and yes I had custom fitted trees, and worked with Brian on it)...
I worked with Brian too and my saddle fits my horse beautifully, but I guess I need something that won't throw me forward. I wonder if the Martin Racer or FX3 have similar bars to the Crown C? |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1035
Location: TN | Three 4 Luck - 2015-02-05 9:01 AM My crown C sits me very balanced on most horses. Can't ride it very well on downhill horses tho unless it's too tight on them because that sets the front up higher--but is obviously a bad idea.
As for reins, if you're leaning forward to not pull, they're too short. I have short arms, so I can't ride them as short as some people. You can add your own knots to any rein. Braided reins, thread and tie a piece of leather string where you want it. Anything else, you can wrap it with electric tape to mark your place. That way, you are marking the precise spot and don't have to deal with extra knots or reins that you don't really like just because they have knots.
I guess that's my problem. My guy is made just slightly downhill. That's a good idea for making my own knots. Thank you! |
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Whack and Roll
Posts: 6342
Location: NE Texas | KatieMac88 - 2015-02-05 9:10 AM Herbie - 2015-02-05 9:01 AM KatieMac88 - 2015-02-05 8:54 AM Herbie - 2015-02-05 8:42 AM When I tried the Crown C I felt like I was about to kiss my horse between the ears at every step, so I can absolutely see what you're saying. No way could I make a run in one! You might consider getting a saddle that rides more balanced instead. My competition reins are about 4" in front of my horn with my horses head in a normal position. At home I ride with mostly split reins. That's what I was afraid of Herbie. I ordered my saddle 2 years ago and I love it, but I think you're right. It's hard for me to sit down in the turns on my droppy horse.
I rode Caldwells for a while but took a hiatus from training barrel horses about 6 years ago and sold my Caldwells. When I started back riding I couldn't find the Caldwell tree I wanted in my seat size so I bought a cutting saddle based on Bo Hill's suggestions. LOVED IT! So I had Jeff Smith make me a cutter that looks like a barrel saddle. I now have two of these and LOVE them. I absolutely cannot stand to feel like i'm going to tip forward.
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| Herbie - 2015-02-05 8:42 AM
When I tried the Crown C I felt like I was about to kiss my horse between the ears at every step, so I can absolutely see what you're saying. No way could I make a run in one!  You might consider getting a saddle that rides more balanced instead. My competition reins are about 4" in front of my horn with my horses head in a normal position. At home I ride with mostly split reins. Â
I have two crown c's and never felt like I am kissing my horse.
I wonder if you had the wrong seat size, or the wrong tree for you horse?
I know on my flat backed horse, if I ride her in the regular tree, I get a lot of rock in the saddle, and it does dip down when turning, if I ride her in the flat tree, the saddle is balanced, and fits her perfectly.
With my one crown c, it may still be a tad too big as on one horse, I always feel like I am left behind when I ride her in it. |
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| Three 4 Luck - 2015-02-05 9:01 AM
 My crown C sits me very balanced on most horses.  Can't ride it very well on downhill horses tho unless it's too tight on them because that sets the front up higher--but is obviously a bad idea. Â
As for reins, if you're leaning forward to not pull, they're too short.  I have short arms, so I can't ride them as short as some people.  You can add your own knots to any rein.  Braided reins, thread and tie a piece of leather string where you want it.  Anything else, you can wrap it with electric tape to mark your place.  That way, you are marking the precise spot and don't have to deal with extra knots or reins that you don't really like just because they have knots.
For the down hill or flat backed horses, the crown c has a flat tree for this body build, I had to custom ordered these ones. I believe the store abitoftack.com is starting to carry flat trees. |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 385
Location: Texas Big Country | Herbie - 2015-02-05 9:16 AM KatieMac88 - 2015-02-05 9:10 AM Herbie - 2015-02-05 9:01 AM KatieMac88 - 2015-02-05 8:54 AM Herbie - 2015-02-05 8:42 AM When I tried the Crown C I felt like I was about to kiss my horse between the ears at every step, so I can absolutely see what you're saying. No way could I make a run in one! You might consider getting a saddle that rides more balanced instead. My competition reins are about 4" in front of my horn with my horses head in a normal position. At home I ride with mostly split reins. That's what I was afraid of Herbie. I ordered my saddle 2 years ago and I love it, but I think you're right. It's hard for me to sit down in the turns on my droppy horse.
Wow, I really like this saddle. Why doesn't he market a line of these for the barrel racers? (maybe he does, if so where to find?) Wish I could afford to order one, it is what I like all the way. |
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Whack and Roll
Posts: 6342
Location: NE Texas | cheryl makofka - 2015-02-05 10:28 AM Herbie - 2015-02-05 8:42 AM When I tried the Crown C I felt like I was about to kiss my horse between the ears at every step, so I can absolutely see what you're saying. No way could I make a run in one! You might consider getting a saddle that rides more balanced instead. My competition reins are about 4" in front of my horn with my horses head in a normal position. At home I ride with mostly split reins. I have two crown c's and never felt like I am kissing my horse. I wonder if you had the wrong seat size, or the wrong tree for you horse? I know on my flat backed horse, if I ride her in the regular tree, I get a lot of rock in the saddle, and it does dip down when turning, if I ride her in the flat tree, the saddle is balanced, and fits her perfectly. With my one crown c, it may still be a tad too big as on one horse, I always feel like I am left behind when I ride her in it.
Nope....I live less than 30 mins from Martin Saddlery and one of my close friends is in management at Classic Equine. I had the perfect fit for my horse and myself, I just didn't care for the way it rode. But it's not just that saddle I don't like the ride of.....i've ridden almost every barrel saddle on the market at one time or another. The only thing I actually like the ride of is the Shiloh, the Caldwell, and a cutting saddle. These are the only three i've found that are balanced. I just prefer more pommel and more pocket than what these barrel saddles offer. |
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Expert
Posts: 1611
| Herbie - 2015-02-05 10:16 AM
KatieMac88 - 2015-02-05 9:10 AM Herbie - 2015-02-05 9:01 AM KatieMac88 - 2015-02-05 8:54 AM Herbie - 2015-02-05 8:42 AM When I tried the Crown C I felt like I was about to kiss my horse between the ears at every step, so I can absolutely see what you're saying. No way could I make a run in one!  You might consider getting a saddle that rides more balanced instead. My competition reins are about 4" in front of my horn with my horses head in a normal position. At home I ride with mostly split reins.  That's what I was afraid of Herbie. I ordered my saddle 2 years ago and I love it, but I think you're right. It's hard for me to sit down in the turns on my droppy horse.
Gah woman quit quit quit!!!
I do not need to spend money. I do not need to spend money. |
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Whack and Roll
Posts: 6342
Location: NE Texas | astreakinchic - 2015-02-05 11:07 AM Herbie - 2015-02-05 10:16 AM KatieMac88 - 2015-02-05 9:10 AM Herbie - 2015-02-05 9:01 AM KatieMac88 - 2015-02-05 8:54 AM Herbie - 2015-02-05 8:42 AM When I tried the Crown C I felt like I was about to kiss my horse between the ears at every step, so I can absolutely see what you're saying. No way could I make a run in one! You might consider getting a saddle that rides more balanced instead. My competition reins are about 4" in front of my horn with my horses head in a normal position. At home I ride with mostly split reins. That's what I was afraid of Herbie. I ordered my saddle 2 years ago and I love it, but I think you're right. It's hard for me to sit down in the turns on my droppy horse. Gah woman quit quit quit!!! I do not need to spend money. I do not need to spend money.
Come to Texas.....i'll share! Plus I know what you're riding and we can just have a big group of good riding saddles and swap out day to day!  |
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 Not Afraid to Work
Posts: 4717
| I agree with those who posted. I have not ridden in a Crown C but you should be able to lean pretty far forward and not feel like you are tipping forward and legs are getting behind you. |
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Expert
Posts: 1611
| Shew tempting! Too bad we aren't going to diamonds and dirt or Lance's this year. You should still come out to ft. smith and we can have a saddle swamping party! |
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Married to a Louie Lover
Posts: 3303
| I had similar issues in my crown c and sold it for a Pozzi. It could have been that the seat was a bit small, but I honestly like the way my Pozzi rides better.
I also notice in runs I seem to forget that I have an elbow, and it works, and extends my hand forward. Suddenly when I remember this my reins are a perfect length and I'm not leaning forward any more.
My mantra down the alleyway is now "elbow elbow elbow!" |
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