HELP.....me get my balance

Shotgun93 · 01-03-2006, 12:35 PM

Make sure that the saddle doesn't pinch around the withers or that the saddle sits on the spine. The front flap from the pommel down should fit the shape of the horse.
You also don't want the saddle to be too loose. It won't sit evenly on the back if it is too tight or loose.

lvmypnt · 01-03-2006, 02:45 PM

Shotgun- Ok I think Ive got it. We will see. Maybe I should start a "pool" and lets see who can guess how many times I come out of the saddle. JUst kidding everyone. LOL

Westernjocky- I have tried that before and my hand always comes back to the horn. It's a really bad habit that I dont think I am going to break unless I just dont have the horn for a while. I dont have the will power to stay away from it.

I will tell you that a couple weeks ago I figured I would just keep both hands on the reins and that would help me not have the horn. Well Della and I were trotting along and she tripped and went down on both knees. I dropped the reins and grabbed the horn with both hands. Luckily my reins where tied and Della being the good girl she is just got up and stood there while I got myself together. But that could have been very dangerous for both of us. I was thinking about going back to two hands again, but i think I would do better if the horn just wasnt there.

On the other hand if Della were to go down on her knees again and I'm in an english saddle I will try to kiss her on the nose on my way over because I dont think I will be able to sit it. LOL

Shotgun93 · 01-03-2006, 02:55 PM

My horse is a tripper, that and the combination of non-flat arena causes a lot of tripping. Just remember to always keep a good grip on the reins and keep your heels down. If your weight is in your heels and your knees are shock absorbers, you will have balance if that happens.

Bugsey · 01-03-2006, 03:19 PM

I'm an English riding instructor - I mean I am English and its the only riding I teach cos here its just normal riding lol

the main thing to do is to sit nice and relaxed in the saddle with your legs loose and not gripping with the knee at all and just your toes in the stirrups and your heels well down. Get your shoulders back so you are sitting nice and straight and with your shoulders even - not one in front of the other 0 and if anything put your legs slightly forward of the girth. Really they eventually want to come so they are on the girth but when you first start you are better with them slightly forward as you will be more stable and less likely to be unbalanced. most people ride english with their legs too far back anyway and that has the effect of tipping you forward and the last place you want to be is tipped forward cos we don't have handles to hold on to on our saddles lol

Also sit nice and straight and even and you want a hand on each rein - with thumbs on top - not sideways like riding a bike but thumbs on top. Your arms should be nice and relaxed and not pressure on your horses mouth when you are getting used to the different balance and they need to be over the withers about a fist height above and about a fist breadth apart.

you might want to put a neck strap on your horse (an old english stirrup leather will do) If you feel yourself slippling you can hold that or the front of your saddle but not your reins because that will make your horse turn and you may unbalance and go off over the front shoulder. Also as well as holding the neck strap of saddle front, if you slip, push your legs forward and shoulders back and heels right down. No way can you fall off then.

Burnkol · 01-03-2006, 03:41 PM

Wow you got lots of replies! Im sure your going to try all these things already, you wont have time..... But even yoga, to help ground you more, could help for your own being.

I try yoga the night before I see my horse the next day and it helps me be more focused in my own body, and ground me in my place. It truely can help you KNOW your balance naturally.
Good luck to you!

lvmypnt · 01-03-2006, 04:12 PM

hmm, yoga, Huh??? I dont have to tie myself in knots or anything do I? LOL

Thanks for the advice Burnkol, but honestly I dont think I have the time to sit still long enough for Yoga.

House and Horse thats all there is. Oh yeah and I do work occasionaly.

SweetSavannah · 01-03-2006, 08:51 PM

think outside the box and take up PILATES!

its great for building your core strength (abdomen, lower back) which is great for horse riders because thats where we need it the most! and its fun!

paint_gurl_101 · 01-03-2006, 10:09 PM

what i do to 'better' my balance was ride bareback most of the time. then i tried to post bareback, and when u feel u have enogh (sp?) to ride with out relying on the horn, swicth back into a saddle. well that's what worked on me. hope i helped.

BornToRide · 01-03-2006, 10:11 PM

i learnt by doing bareback! either you stay on .. or you fall off

lol

01-03-2006, 12:35 PM	#31
Shotgun93 Senior Moderator Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Southwest SD Posts: 13,815 Images: 132	Make sure that the saddle doesn't pinch around the withers or that the saddle sits on the spine. The front flap from the pommel down should fit the shape of the horse. You also don't want the saddle to be too loose. It won't sit evenly on the back if it is too tight or loose. __________________ In the quiet light of the stable, you hear a muffled snort, the stamp of a hoof, a friendly nicker. Gentle eyes inquire, "How was your day old friend?" and suddenly, all your troubles fade away. -Author Unknown

01-03-2006, 02:55 PM	#33
Shotgun93 Senior Moderator Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Southwest SD Posts: 13,815 Images: 132	My horse is a tripper, that and the combination of non-flat arena causes a lot of tripping. Just remember to always keep a good grip on the reins and keep your heels down. If your weight is in your heels and your knees are shock absorbers, you will have balance if that happens. __________________ In the quiet light of the stable, you hear a muffled snort, the stamp of a hoof, a friendly nicker. Gentle eyes inquire, "How was your day old friend?" and suddenly, all your troubles fade away. -Author Unknown

01-03-2006, 08:51 PM	#37
SweetSavannah Senior Member+ Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: on my horse in Sydney, Australia Posts: 932	think outside the box and take up PILATES! its great for building your core strength (abdomen, lower back) which is great for horse riders because thats where we need it the most! and its fun! __________________ "REAL* ladies do it SIDEWAYS!"* http://www.sidesaddleaustralia.com.au/

01-03-2006, 10:11 PM	#39
BornToRide Senior Member+ Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 4,009 Images: 192	i learnt by doing bareback! either you stay on .. or you fall off lol __________________ There are times when you can trust a horse, times when you can't and times when you have to. got to get the bagel with the cream cheeze oh the creamy creamy cheeze eh Blistering Winds? lmao

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01-03-2006, 02:45 PM	#32
lvmypnt Senior Member+ Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,863 Images: 71	Shotgun- Ok I think Ive got it. We will see. Maybe I should start a "pool" and lets see who can guess how many times I come out of the saddle. JUst kidding everyone. LOL Westernjocky- I have tried that before and my hand always comes back to the horn. It's a really bad habit that I dont think I am going to break unless I just dont have the horn for a while. I dont have the will power to stay away from it. I will tell you that a couple weeks ago I figured I would just keep both hands on the reins and that would help me not have the horn. Well Della and I were trotting along and she tripped and went down on both knees. I dropped the reins and grabbed the horn with both hands. Luckily my reins where tied and Della being the good girl she is just got up and stood there while I got myself together. But that could have been very dangerous for both of us. I was thinking about going back to two hands again, but i think I would do better if the horn just wasnt there. On the other hand if Della were to go down on her knees again and I'm in an english saddle I will try to kiss her on the nose on my way over because I dont think I will be able to sit it. LOL

01-03-2006, 03:19 PM	#34
Bugsey Full Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: UK Posts: 109 Images: 10	I'm an English riding instructor - I mean I am English and its the only riding I teach cos here its just normal riding lol the main thing to do is to sit nice and relaxed in the saddle with your legs loose and not gripping with the knee at all and just your toes in the stirrups and your heels well down. Get your shoulders back so you are sitting nice and straight and with your shoulders even - not one in front of the other 0 and if anything put your legs slightly forward of the girth. Really they eventually want to come so they are on the girth but when you first start you are better with them slightly forward as you will be more stable and less likely to be unbalanced. most people ride english with their legs too far back anyway and that has the effect of tipping you forward and the last place you want to be is tipped forward cos we don't have handles to hold on to on our saddles lol Also sit nice and straight and even and you want a hand on each rein - with thumbs on top - not sideways like riding a bike but thumbs on top. Your arms should be nice and relaxed and not pressure on your horses mouth when you are getting used to the different balance and they need to be over the withers about a fist height above and about a fist breadth apart. you might want to put a neck strap on your horse (an old english stirrup leather will do) If you feel yourself slippling you can hold that or the front of your saddle but not your reins because that will make your horse turn and you may unbalance and go off over the front shoulder. Also as well as holding the neck strap of saddle front, if you slip, push your legs forward and shoulders back and heels right down. No way can you fall off then.

01-03-2006, 03:41 PM	#35
Burnkol Full Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 50 Images: 8	Wow you got lots of replies! Im sure your going to try all these things already, you wont have time..... But even yoga, to help ground you more, could help for your own being. I try yoga the night before I see my horse the next day and it helps me be more focused in my own body, and ground me in my place. It truely can help you KNOW your balance naturally. Good luck to you!

01-03-2006, 04:12 PM	#36
lvmypnt Senior Member+ Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,863 Images: 71	hmm, yoga, Huh??? I dont have to tie myself in knots or anything do I? LOL Thanks for the advice Burnkol, but honestly I dont think I have the time to sit still long enough for Yoga. House and Horse thats all there is. Oh yeah and I do work occasionaly.

01-03-2006, 10:09 PM	#38
paint_gurl_101 Banned Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Hippie Town Or. Posts: 680 Images: 40 Blog Entries: 7	what i do to 'better' my balance was ride bareback most of the time. then i tried to post bareback, and when u feel u have enogh (sp?) to ride with out relying on the horn, swicth back into a saddle. well that's what worked on me. hope i helped.