[Tallpine]

Actually... come to think of it, I think that I shortened the stirrups a couple holes since that saddle riding picture was taken (10-01-08). (Gus doesn't look too happy there - I think the saddle was hurting him as it was too far forward )

I've tried the "ball of the foot thing", but my feet always end up jammed in again.

[PeggySue]

Originally Posted by Tallpine

Actually... come to think of it, I think that I shortened the stirrups a couple holes since that saddle riding picture was taken (10-01-08). (Gus doesn't look too happy there - I think the saddle was hurting him as it was too far forward )

I've tried the "ball of the foot thing", but my feet always end up jammed in again.

then you are not keeping the heels down with enough weight on the ball
I tend to do this as well although I normally catch myself as well

[doublebarr]

Originally Posted by PeggySue

then you are not keeping the heels down with enough weight on the ball

You shouldn't have any real "weight" on the ball of your foot either. If you drop your heel properly you should just be resting the ball of your foot in the stirrup, not pushing down on it. (Unless you ARE doing a "high" performance event/manuver, then you will add some pressure to the ball while doing the manuver.)

If you are "pushing" your foot on the stirrup you WILL have muscle issues in your leg even if it's "adjusted" right.

[doublebarr]

Originally Posted by Tallpine

Actually... come to think of it, I think that I shortened the stirrups a couple holes since that saddle riding picture was taken (10-01-08). (Gus doesn't look too happy there - I think the saddle was hurting him as it was too far forward ) IMO, another pad would not be a bad idea either as that one looks like the front bars are really deep in the shoulder, even if you moved it back.

I've tried the "ball of the foot thing", but my feet always end up jammed in again.

It's something that you really have to be constantly "schooling" yourself on when you've spent any time riding with your feet jammed all the way in. It will get easier and it WILL be much easier on your leg when the muscle memory kicks in over time and your leg just naturally seeks that position.

[Tallpine]

Just for reference:

Too far back ???

[cutter123]

Nice pics Doublebarr. I didn't mean anything negative towards any roos. I have lots of great friends who are pretty punchy. Some of the pics of your crew still has longer stirrups than I care for, but such is life.

My trainer, like many cutters, rides with his feet "all the way home" in the stirrups. He uses thin round oxbows.

I prefer to have only the ball of my foot in my stirrups, and I use thin oxbow types with a flat bottom, almost like an english iron. I rode english for too long to break the habit and put my foot home like lots of cutters do.

I would not consider a foot "all the way home" useful or correct in most most situations, but like anything, there's a time and a place. Many cutters do just fine with their feet all the way home.

Here's some pics of my trainer cutting and you can see, he gets the job done that way.







However, I wouldn't recommend that for most people

I like a more traditional, ball of the foot in the stirrup. See here how I can just use that leg/foot as a base of support to get out of my horse's way:





Tallpine, glad to hear you are making adjustments and continuing on your journey. That's what horsemanship is...a life journey. We are never done learning. Heck, every time I get a swelled head thinking I'm pretty hot stuff with a lot of knowledge, one of my horses will gladly put me back in my place!
One thing I have learned, is that the terms ALWAYS and NEVER don't apply to horses or riding. There are so many different facets of horsemanship and so many roads to Rome so to speak.

[doublebarr]

Originally Posted by cutter123

Nice pics Doublebarr. I didn't mean anything negative towards any roos. I have lots of great friends who are pretty punchy. Some of the pics of your crew still has longer stirrups than I care for, but such is life.

LOL, I didn't think you did I just wanted an excuse to put up more pictures of my crew, LOL! It's all good.

[tlwidener]

This pic cracked me up, doublebarr!

[endurgirl]

I tend to jab my feet a little farther in when cutting. For trail riding, I'll ride with the balls of my feet on the stirrup.

And cutter....I DESPISE oxbow stirrups. I don't know if it's the shape of my foot or if I'm just accustomed to flat bottoms, but they are so uncomfortable. You can have 'em

[PeggySue]

How did the show go this weekend ???