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What Name?
Posts: 1994
   
| So I took some videos like some ladies suggested. I see a lot of my own mistakes, but maybe you ladies will see more. For sure I know I'm holding my hands a little too far out from my center, and steering too much with my hands.
Also, I'm not sure if anyone will notice. But the reason we aren't doing very good straight lines is it was a quagmire out there that day, and the indoor had a show in it. Not to mention lots of standing water, which I'm still working on with bug. So any time I got up too speed I was having to really push and steer with my legs to keep him going. On top of trying to stay in a designated area and go through the motions for the videos. SOOO they're not the best, or my best riding ha ha. But I'll take any feed back =) Nothing fancy, just walking/trotting mostly. I did get some short loping in. But I'm seriously focusing on his woah and backing right now since I noticed him slipping in that area. Any things you see me needing to work on, correct or stop doing entirely. I'm all ears!
I'm sure someone going to mention getting lessons. IF I could afford them at this time I would continue my lessons with Charlie. But unfortunately, I'm putting all my money into my bills and school. So until I land the new job I'm interveiwing for the next few weekends, you guys are my instructors! Be gentle with me!
https://youtu.be/wp16prNns2U
http://youtu.be/NjKos7fkfT8
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 742
| I did not know what to expect but I watched a little of each video, kinda long, and you are doing a good job riding. You have a good seat and you are quiet. I think you saw where you need to bring your hands closer. It's kinda hard to see closely from the videos because phones don't take great videos, but you are doing fine. | |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 725
| Keep your elbows bent, hands about 3-4 inches apart, up slightly and not so far forward. Guide him by tipping with the inside hand a bit instead of using both hands to drive him. If you are working on stops, sit, make him stop and don't let him take any steps forwards, back him a few steps. Work on this until when you sit and put just a little pressure on the reins, he comes to a complete stop, and stands. JMO It's hard to tell from the video, but just some more things to think about. Overall you are doing amazing!! I love your quiet hands, and deep seat. | |
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Expert
Posts: 1561
| I dont even know where to start...
Just kidding, I didnt even watch them as I wouldnt have a clue on right and wrong. Good luck  | |
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What Name?
Posts: 1994
| IowaCanChaser - 2015-04-27 8:57 PM Keep your elbows bent, hands about 3-4 inches apart, up slightly and not so far forward. Guide him by tipping with the inside hand a bit instead of using both hands to drive him. If you are working on stops, sit, make him stop and don't let him take any steps forwards, back him a few steps. Work on this until when you sit and put just a little pressure on the reins, he comes to a complete stop, and stands. JMO It's hard to tell from the video, but just some more things to think about. Overall you are doing amazing!! I love your quiet hands, and deep seat.
Yea. I've been working with his flexing a lot, and somewhere a long the way his woah went out the window. I guess it's a good thing I noticed. But after only two days of working on it, he's picking it back up. He was in a curb bit before, but I brought him back to a basic snaffle with a roller on it. Since then everything has improved, I just have to focus more on my own riding. Since he's so young, and my first quarter horse. I'm trying so hard to make sure I do everything I can correctly!
I think maybe my hands inch forward because I'm thinking the entire time " lead his nose " but I'm trying to stay out of his mouth as much as possible to retain softness. so lol I seem to just kinda be inching my way up. I never noticed I did it until I watched this video. I guess I should start having someone video me every couple of weeks. It's a good self critique. I'm just so new to this in all honesty and not sure of everything to focus on. My first horse was spotted saddle horse and a babysitter to boot. So I never had to "learn" to ride.. though I did start young and subconciously picked up on things i guess. I've always worried if my seat was good. Thanks ladies. I appreciate ya'll taking the time to watch and give me some pointers! | |
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Location: Texas | americanpride08 - 2015-04-27 9:28 PM IowaCanChaser - 2015-04-27 8:57 PM Keep your elbows bent, hands about 3-4 inches apart, up slightly and not so far forward. Guide him by tipping with the inside hand a bit instead of using both hands to drive him. If you are working on stops, sit, make him stop and don't let him take any steps forwards, back him a few steps. Work on this until when you sit and put just a little pressure on the reins, he comes to a complete stop, and stands. JMO It's hard to tell from the video, but just some more things to think about. Overall you are doing amazing!! I love your quiet hands, and deep seat. Yea. I've been working with his flexing a lot, and somewhere a long the way his woah went out the window. I guess it's a good thing I noticed. But after only two days of working on it, he's picking it back up. He was in a curb bit before, but I brought him back to a basic snaffle with a roller on it. Since then everything has improved, I just have to focus more on my own riding. Since he's so young, and my first quarter horse. I'm trying so hard to make sure I do everything I can correctly!
I think maybe my hands inch forward because I'm thinking the entire time " lead his nose " but I'm trying to stay out of his mouth as much as possible to retain softness. so lol I seem to just kinda be inching my way up. I never noticed I did it until I watched this video. I guess I should start having someone video me every couple of weeks. It's a good self critique. I'm just so new to this in all honesty and not sure of everything to focus on. My first horse was spotted saddle horse and a babysitter to boot. So I never had to "learn" to ride.. though I did start young and subconciously picked up on things i guess. I've always worried if my seat was good. Thanks ladies. I appreciate ya'll taking the time to watch and give me some pointers!Â
First of all, I am very happy you put him back in a snaffle AND that he has improved! You have him on the right track to a good, solid foundation.  Â
(I only watched the first video)
You are a quiet rider and you do have a good seat, which I really like. Bring your hands just a tad closer, keep your hands low and closer to you. When you tell him to stop, keep your booty in the seat and push your legs forward. Make him stop when you say 'whoa', do not release the pressure until he does stop. I can't completely tell from the video, but may work on having softer hands and using your finger tips more. (I'm not saying your hard or rough at all, and it may just be video quality.)Â
I do like the way you ride and think your doing a good job with your little guy. Only a few very minor adjustments need to be made - nothing to sweat at all! The time you are investing in learning more, asking questions and being critiqued will be worth it, I promise! Keep it up!Â
Â
(ETA: I didn't watch your legs or feet much, but can if you would like.)
Â
Edited by EqualRanch 2015-04-27 10:41 PM
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  Warmblood with Wings
Posts: 27846
 
Location: Florida.. | hey he turned out cute didnt he.. I didnt really watch but I noticed the first one just make him move more forward.. in all gaits.. his rhythum needs to be more natural and the trot work he could look off from not moving forward.. to slow. let him open his shoulders up and remember to think "ride hind" not "push front" ... hes a cutie..so glad you went back to snaffle | |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 805
Location: Montana | I think maybe shorten your stirrups a hole. To me it looked like you were reaching for your stirrups with your feet. This can help you get back on your pockets more. Also bend your elbows and keep your hands just above the pommel (about a fist between pommel and hand) and don't go wider than your body for width between your hands. I would like to see him give his face a little more and have a little more impulsion forward. Think of a dressage rider doing a sitting extended trot but without bedding that much face from him. | |
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What Name?
Posts: 1994
| Thanks ladies! It helps a bunch to have input so I can 'focus' on certain things.
Bib, how can I tell when he's opened his shoulder up?
Also, I do work on flexing by doing circles and gradually working into smaller ones at the walk/trot pace. Is there other exercises I can work with him on to get his face softer?
LOL and I'm happy to hear I have a good seat and am a quiet rider. But what does a quiet rider mean?
yea Bib, he turned into a little looker. I'm pretty proud of him. He's like his dam's clone, just a bay instead of a buckskin.
Edited by americanpride08 2015-04-28 7:06 AM
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 Expert
Posts: 3782
Location: Gainesville, TX | A quiet rider means you do not look like a monkey humping a football or a wheat sack. Your arms are not flapping and your hips are generally and relatively quietly following the natural gait of the horse.
Your seat is a bit forward though as some have said and when you ask for turn you tend to pull out and might do better with a bit more signal with your feet and a very gentle tug more up on that one side. When you pull out and around to your knee (instead of more to your front hip pocket) you end up unbalancing yourself. If you are going to run barrels this ability to stay in the center and not lean in towards the barrel (and then drive your horse down into the barrel) is really important. If you can get it perfect at the slower speeds its much easier at the faster. I definitely agree with the statement, "ride from behind."
ETA: You are built a lot like me and I struggle not to pull out but to pull gently up on that one side to cue and use my feet for more of the signal. I have a lot of the same struggles you do and a three year old as well. :)
Edited by oija 2015-04-28 10:24 AM
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 Expert
Posts: 1857
| Post on the correct diagonal, just a little peeve of mine. use your inside foot and inside rein to move him out when your circling, I noticed in the first video that you would use your outside rein to pull him back out when he tried to cut of his circle. When stopping, get your elbows at your hips, thumbs up, heels down and leave them there, that way if he pulls against you it's going to pull your seat down into him. Eventually you'll be able to sit deep and rock your pelvis forward and he'll sit down. Drive him into your hands, you want him searching for contact, use your thighs and calves to push him into your hands, loosening your hands up and allow him to reach for the bit as his head comes down, he'll stretch out more and with practice will start to round out his back. You'll know when his back round because your thighs will be pushed out and you feel like your sitting taller. | |
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 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | All I want to say is good job , but relax a bit, bring your hands in more the way your reaching out is making my shoulder and arms tired and learn to use your legs this helps so much when asking for a turn around/moving over/side passing. But other then that you are doing great..... | |
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Posts: 232
Location: Winging It in KY | FlyingJT - 2015-04-28 11:49 AM Post on the correct diagonal, just a little peeve of mine. use your inside foot and inside rein to move him out when your circling, I noticed in the first video that you would use your outside rein to pull him back out when he tried to cut of his circle. When stopping, get your elbows at your hips, thumbs up, heels down and leave them there, that way if he pulls against you it's going to pull your seat down into him. Eventually you'll be able to sit deep and rock your pelvis forward and he'll sit down. Drive him into your hands, you want him searching for contact, use your thighs and calves to push him into your hands, loosening your hands up and allow him to reach for the bit as his head comes down, he'll stretch out more and with practice will start to round out his back. You'll know when his back round because your thighs will be pushed out and you feel like your sitting taller.
This^^^^ It is not something that will come in one day or even one week. A lot of work and patience.
When you post on the wrong diagonal if puts you off balance with your horse. You will be better able to help your horse make a round circle if you are balanced. | |
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Expert
Posts: 3782
Location: Gainesville, TX | You are getting lots of good info here. Enough it may actually seem overwhelming. I would pick one or two things to work on at a time. Say you ride 45 min well spend 10 minutes on a familiar warmup. Do something he knows well. Work on your stuff more. Then take a 10 minutes to work on something new with him. Don't drill and drill on him about it. Make some progress and then move on to the next thing. Then do something again you are both comfortable with, focus on you. Slowly your focus will expand to include both. It's like you are learning the individual notes so you put it all together to play a melody. But you have to play them a few at a time before you can get the whole. Keep having fun!!!
Edited by oija 2015-04-28 11:24 AM
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What Name?
Posts: 1994
| cuckleburr - 2015-04-28 11:18 AM FlyingJT - 2015-04-28 11:49 AM Post on the correct diagonal, just a little peeve of mine. use your inside foot and inside rein to move him out when your circling, I noticed in the first video that you would use your outside rein to pull him back out when he tried to cut of his circle. When stopping, get your elbows at your hips, thumbs up, heels down and leave them there, that way if he pulls against you it's going to pull your seat down into him. Eventually you'll be able to sit deep and rock your pelvis forward and he'll sit down. Drive him into your hands, you want him searching for contact, use your thighs and calves to push him into your hands, loosening your hands up and allow him to reach for the bit as his head comes down, he'll stretch out more and with practice will start to round out his back. You'll know when his back round because your thighs will be pushed out and you feel like your sitting taller. This^^^^ It is not something that will come in one day or even one week. A lot of work and patience.
When you post on the wrong diagonal if puts you off balance with your horse. You will be better able to help your horse make a round circle if you are balanced.
Thanks.! I actually watched a video with a section covered about this. I'm still trying to remember, and I'm just now getting to the point I can read his body from IN the saddle. LOL my multi-tasking skills are getting a workout, so many things running through my mind. The video said something about watching his shoulder instead of trying to watch his feet. So thats kind of how I remember. Honestly that day I was so focused on staying seated, because he's a bit of a spook when he catches things in his eyes, like glinting water. LOL But he did great as far as that was concerned.
I appreciate all the help! I'll try and get a video me as I improve and ya'll can let me know if I'm going about it correctly! Thanks so much! | |
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What Name?
Posts: 1994
| oija - 2015-04-28 11:23 AM You are getting lots of good info here. Enough it may actually seem overwhelming. I would pick one or two things to work on at a time. Say you ride 45 min well spend 10 minutes on a familiar warmup. Do something he knows well. Work on your stuff more. Then take a 10 minutes to work on something new with him. Don't drill and drill on him about it. Make some progress and then move on to the next thing. Then do something again you are both comfortable with, focus on you. Slowly your focus will expand to include both. It's like you are learning the individual notes so you put it all together to play a melody. But you have to play them a few at a time before you can get the whole. Keep having fun!!!
yea ha ha it'll make your head spin for sure! I get to ride about 4 days a week. I figure this week we'll focus on his woah, my hand positioning and trying to post on the correct diagonal. Then we'll work more and more on our leg communication and flex so more the next week.This sunday we're going on a nice relaxing trail ride, so I'm excited for that change of pace!
I have to say I love how he doesn't really get bored with much. But he loves being loved on and so when we 'get' stuff together he gets as excited as I do I swear! LOL Thanks ladies, ya'll are such a big help to my confidence. I'm constantly on my toes where my riding is concerned just trying to make sure I do everything I can to shape myself into the best rider so he can be molded into a good horse.
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 Quarter Horse HIstorian
Posts: 2878
Location: Aubrey, Texas | If this is redundant, forgive me; I haven't spent a lot of time on BHW lately and so I don't know your whole journey with this horse or with riding in general. Several people mentioned diagonals- are you clear about what they mean? If not, PM me back and I will tell you what I know.
Good Luck- it looks like you are on the right track!
Robin | |
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Regular
Posts: 60
| Great constructive criticism and so much knowledge from all.
Very helpful to so many of us!
Makes me feel good about getting back on and gives me hope :) | |
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Warmblood with Wings
Posts: 27846
Location: Florida.. | I mean by moving him out and Opening his shoulder up.. Id tap tap tap to get his hind moving and allow him to open up in front.. hes a tad slow in first video and it can make their rhythm off looking a lil stuck. you dont need alot of speed but a natural speed for him as a youngster. hes 3 so id work on flexing more standing then tight circle.. those arent good for his joints.. Id tap tap tap to get hind moving and then relax.. Id let him trot out and if you feel him behind your leg .. tap tap tap.. some keep leg on i prefer not so when i need them to be responsive thats all it takes.. also if you relax sit back a tad when your posting go with him.. I let them breathe.. i dont grip . it can hinder them moveing freely.. but we do things differantly..
Edited by Bibliafarm 2015-04-28 12:20 PM
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