What's a good seat really?

endurgirl · 06-19-2008, 03:42 AM

See?

http://www.clintallencuttinghorses.com/

http://www.ramboquarterhorse.com/end...clintallen.htm

cutter123 · 06-19-2008, 07:42 AM

endurgirl, sorry to burst the bubble (since I created it) but Clint Allen is a Kiwi
it says right on the page... a new zealander. I guess perhaps he could count as an aussie stockman?

endurgirl · 06-19-2008, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cutter123

endurgirl, sorry to burst the bubble (since I created it) but Clint Allen is a Kiwi
it says right on the page... a new zealander. I guess perhaps he could count as an aussie stockman?

Yeah, I realized that when I looked at his page, I knew he talked funny though, LOL!! Him and Matt Gaines were sitting right in front of me checking cattle at the Augusta Futurity this year. I wanted some of that to rub off on me, so I was checking their cheat sheet. I'll upload the pics later. I'm late to work!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sheza_Angel · 06-19-2008, 08:00 AM

I agree with plainjanemw.

It is going to vary by what type of horse you are riding and for what discipline. I don't like it when people say certain breeds *have* to be an English horse either. What if the owner doesn't ride English? I know that we don't and my Dad's TB does great in both English and Western.

Anxious1 · 06-19-2008, 08:18 AM

A good seat is one that stays in the saddle under expected and unexpected conditions. A good seat is about having the proper position to achieve the above whatever the discipline is.

My Daughter for example - We have a pony that has been displaying some "attitude" and he saw an opportuanity and ran away with her Monday at a full gallop. I seriously never saw a pony run so fast in my life (think perfect gamer here). That kid stuck to that saddle like she was superglued in and I was stunned. This was her 10th ride and I claim her a natural!

MyBelgianAzzy · 06-19-2008, 08:21 AM

A good seat to me is balanced and adjustable. Balanced, as in over the horse's center of gravity (ahem, people saying "stick", this is how you stick). Adjustable as in light when needed, deep when needed, driving when needed, restricting when needed, and educated to know what to use when.

PoochtheMighty · 06-19-2008, 11:58 AM

Balanced, quiet, seamless with horse, and efficient.

plainjanemw · 06-20-2008, 01:20 PM

All I know is I'm a western rider and I've never fallen off of a horse until I tried following the ways of my "English" friends! What good does this do me? OUCH! None when I'm covered in bruises and knots! My horse and I are only looking at trail riding, nothing more, so the 'properness' of our seat is not that important; Although, they want to make their way the right way, which is the English way...but they're the ones always falling off, so why would I want to follow their example when I can stay on my own way? sighs...

AtomicTop · 06-20-2008, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plainjanemw

All I know is I'm a western rider and I've never fallen off of a horse until I tried following the ways of my "English" friends! What good does this do me? OUCH! None when I'm covered in bruises and knots! My horse and I are only looking at trail riding, nothing more, so the 'properness' of our seat is not that important; Although, they want to make their way the right way, which is the English way...but they're the ones always falling off, so why would I want to follow their example when I can stay on my own way? sighs...

No disrespect to English or dressage riders here, but my instructor, who was anything but, used to say that a dressage rider wouldn't survive for 5 minutes out in the bush.

He was the kind of guy who could really ride. He used to jump with no hands or stand on 2 horses (one leg on each) and canter like a chariot. And how did this guy learn? No one ever taught him, he's been on horses since he was in nappies. That's probably a better education than a fancy riding school.
I've never been taught a proper seat but I've stuck out some bucks and some very sudden spooks and have never yet hit the ground (touch wood).
I guess I can't help feeling a bit inferior to the English guys at times because there is this vibe out there that unless you have a proper seat with the heels down, in line with shoulders etc that you are doing the wrong thing. Which is probably why I started this thread in the first place.

I think what I've learned from all the responses in here is that there is something to be said for all methods and in the end you have to ride the way you are comfortable. Thanks everyone!

Anxious1 · 06-20-2008, 03:45 PM

I have to say that in my 35 years of riding that the first 3 were spent being thrown on a horse it slapped in the A$$ and off I went. I learned in the deserts of Mexico by Mexican cowboys and I had to figure it out fast. The remaining 32 years were spent riding the deserts of Mexico and I just had to figure it out (we lived in LA and my horses were boarded at a ranch there).

Now that I am older (45) and back into the horse thing I am taking lessons at a upper echelon barn and I am relearning how to ride. My instructor keeps saying I am doing the "cowgirl thing" and well quite frankly, that is what works for me and I have only fallen from a horse once and that was landing atop a cactus bush at that. That however, was a cinch that broke so.....

I have ridden for hours and broken 1 horse and have survived plenty of bucks and rears and always stuck on.

06-19-2008, 03:42 AM	#31
endurgirl Senior Member+ Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Georgia Posts: 1,780 Images: 159 Blog Entries: 3	See? http://www.clintallencuttinghorses.com/ http://www.ramboquarterhorse.com/end...clintallen.htm __________________ Don't squat with your spurs on!! If you're gonna be dumb, you gotta be tough. Proud Member of the Quarter Horse Club

06-19-2008, 07:42 AM	#32
cutter123 Senior Member+ Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: California Posts: 387 Images: 9 Blog Entries: 10	endurgirl, sorry to burst the bubble (since I created it) but Clint Allen is a Kiwi it says right on the page... a new zealander. I guess perhaps he could count as an aussie stockman? __________________ The Bus came by and I got on thats when it all began there was Cowboy Neal at the wheel of the bus to never never land...

06-19-2008, 08:00 AM	#34
Sheza_Angel Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Texas - in my teepee Posts: 856 Images: 21 Blog Entries: 1	I agree with plainjanemw. It is going to vary by what type of horse you are riding and for what discipline. I don't like it when people say certain breeds have to be an English horse either. What if the owner doesn't ride English? I know that we don't and my Dad's TB does great in both English and Western. __________________ *PRO-SLAUGHTER* if done right! Sheza Angel - my grade QH mare *Equestrian College Girl*

06-19-2008, 11:58 AM	#37
PoochtheMighty Senior Member+ Join Date: May 2003 Location: Georgia Posts: 1,451 Images: 37 Blog Entries: 21	Balanced, quiet, seamless with horse, and efficient. __________________ "When bestride him, I soar; I am a hawk." Shakespeare

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06-19-2008, 08:18 AM	#35
Anxious1 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: West Central MN Posts: 516 Images: 1	A good seat is one that stays in the saddle under expected and unexpected conditions. A good seat is about having the proper position to achieve the above whatever the discipline is. My Daughter for example - We have a pony that has been displaying some "attitude" and he saw an opportuanity and ran away with her Monday at a full gallop. I seriously never saw a pony run so fast in my life (think perfect gamer here). That kid stuck to that saddle like she was superglued in and I was stunned. This was her 10th ride and I claim her a natural!

06-20-2008, 01:20 PM	#38
plainjanemw Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 424 Images: 8	All I know is I'm a western rider and I've never fallen off of a horse until I tried following the ways of my "English" friends! What good does this do me? OUCH! None when I'm covered in bruises and knots! My horse and I are only looking at trail riding, nothing more, so the 'properness' of our seat is not that important; Although, they want to make their way the right way, which is the English way...but they're the ones always falling off, so why would I want to follow their example when I can stay on my own way? sighs...

06-20-2008, 03:45 PM	#40
Anxious1 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: West Central MN Posts: 516 Images: 1	I have to say that in my 35 years of riding that the first 3 were spent being thrown on a horse it slapped in the A$$ and off I went. I learned in the deserts of Mexico by Mexican cowboys and I had to figure it out fast. The remaining 32 years were spent riding the deserts of Mexico and I just had to figure it out (we lived in LA and my horses were boarded at a ranch there). Now that I am older (45) and back into the horse thing I am taking lessons at a upper echelon barn and I am relearning how to ride. My instructor keeps saying I am doing the "cowgirl thing" and well quite frankly, that is what works for me and I have only fallen from a horse once and that was landing atop a cactus bush at that. That however, was a cinch that broke so..... I have ridden for hours and broken 1 horse and have survived plenty of bucks and rears and always stuck on.