jo
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Post by jo on Dec 30, 2007 19:49:47 GMT 1
oh and don't forget to take vids and pix of the journey you take with him, it will be great to see how you're progressing!
(please tell me I didn't make you cry? Your pone looks gorgeous! V V shiny and fit, well loved!)
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Vic
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Post by Vic on Dec 30, 2007 19:56:33 GMT 1
I've tried taking my stippups away but he just hollows even more away from me and really gets upset so i've knocked that one on the head for a bit, although i might try to get him a bit more used to the idea but gradually introducing it.
Saddle definately fits, had it fitted and then checked by Ted's physio (yes i am paranoid!!) he looks more hollow in those videos than he was going at the end of the summer, by then he had relaxed more (not sure whats going on now though).
I can't send him away to a trainer for a few reasons, 1 being the cost!!! Also, i am very wary of a lot of trainers, i know there are some very good one out there but also some rubbish ones and it can be tricky figuring it all out. Also (and i am aware this is going to sound very self-sentred and i will likely get slated for this but it is true) i don't think i could take sending him away, i really want us to work together on this and i would feel like the worlds biggest failure if i sent him to a trainer, i think the only way i could do that would be if i was going to sell him. Thanks for commenting nicely.xxx
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Post by LisaM on Dec 30, 2007 20:00:59 GMT 1
ok firstly take a chill pill Secondly be thankful for a very very cute pone!! He is a real looker. Yes your lower leg is forward to much which makes horses run on and leaves you almost 'waterskiing' in the saddle... I too jumaped loads as a kid and some of the pics of my lower leg are awful! Talk about arm chair pose!! Making sure that Ted's 100% happy in saddle/back/bridle etc etc. Try to imagine your seat bones.. Make sure these are pointing straight down wneh riding looking at the pics I'd say your seat bones are pointing back towards Ted's hind feet - this means the upper body is tipped forwards onto his forehand. Another tip is to visualise taking Ted away from under you - would you land on your bum or your feet??? atm - it would be your bum - dont despair... take some time to re adjust your self - video again, thinking of where your seat bones are and where your legs are. Practise in walk and ensure you stretch your legs/hips before mounting! Trust me you'll feel it initially. All the best - I hope this makes sense
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lizziee
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Post by lizziee on Dec 30, 2007 20:04:44 GMT 1
I too was immediately struck by the saddle position and the fact that it appears to be tipping you back, which will make it very difficult for you to place your legs in the right position and for your pony to move freely. Also, although the saddle may have fitted him in the summer, you've done a lot of work since so may not now - I would definitely recommend another check. Put the saddle on yourself (ie put the saddle on Ted yourself, not put the saddle on you....doh) and make sure your saddle fitter sees you ride on it, and ask him to comment on your position and how it can be improved.
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Vic
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Post by Vic on Dec 30, 2007 20:06:05 GMT 1
Oh, crossed posts with you Sarah. Its a Kes saddle, and as i said has been fitted (although these days who you trust to fit the bloody things should be a whole new art in itself!!!), not an option for a new one at the moment as i am very skint but i will bear it in mind at some stage in the future. I actually love riding without stirrups (i am a big saddo) used to do it lots when i was younger, but i find it is really upsetting him. He has a very bouncy trot so i am probably not as still as i should be and he really hollows and sticks his head in the air and bounces off into canter....just a case of getting him used to it slowly do you think??? Oh and its bothering me now, am i a bad person for really not wanting to send him off to a trainer?? Am i really above myself and thinking that i'm much better than i am by even attempting this? I bought him because he was in a bad way and i hated to think where he might end up, also i saw a lot of petential in him as a really fun little horse that i could work with but was i totally wrong and am i not good enough? No one has made me cry yet (apart form me!!!) so thanks.xxx
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Post by sarahfox on Dec 30, 2007 20:08:10 GMT 1
Phew! Glad we didnt make you cry! I agree with not sending him away tbh. Re the no stirrup work,yes,unfortunately it is best perfected on a schoolmaster first,but you do need it.Would he mind if you just did some in walk?Even if you go on a course and learn how to sit well it still needs to be practised at home and imo this necessitates work with no stirrups,particularly for the changes you need to make. What is happening at the minute is that you are probably hovering off his back a lot,which is why he prefers the stirrups,but the stirrups are preventing you from attaining a soft seat,and regardless of how kind your hands are the very angles will mean that you are pulling your body into the rise,its not possible any other way. Ideally we learn all these things from a schoolmaster with good soft paces before we attempt to train a horse,otherwise it is a vicious circle,as it is darned near impossible to have a good soft seat on a horse with a hollow back,but it is the horse with the hollow back that needs it most!I have lunge lessons on one that occasionally hollows and the only way to get the true soft back is to meet it with softness and balance through your own seat,thats fine after many years of lunge lessons and for a few minutes,but I dont see how you could just do it without. Best wishes and do go on a course somewhere,you will learn far more to benefit your horse from riding a good soft schoolmaster or one of Heathers sims.xxx
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Post by sarahfox on Dec 30, 2007 20:11:11 GMT 1
LOL! crossed posts with you too vic! Yes! do the no stirrup stuff in walk only! I 100% agree re darned saddle fitters!grrrrrr! And NO!!!! You are not a bad person for not sending him away!lol!
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Post by LisaM on Dec 30, 2007 20:15:34 GMT 1
I hope you dont take offence but I've just added some text to the picture of you and Ted... I thought it'd help you visualise what I was harping on about!
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Vic
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Post by Vic on Dec 30, 2007 20:22:28 GMT 1
Wow, thanks Lisa, no offence taken at all, i was asking for advice!!! This may sound really stupid but HOW do i get my leg further back. When i try doing it i just can't seem to make it go or i end up feeling like i'm perched on the front of the saddle and very insecure with my legs all over the place...do i need to start from there and work with that, is the perched feeling just coz i'm not used to it???
Thanks muchly for everyones help, when is someone going to move up here???!!! Northumberland is very lovely, lots of nice land.....come on, you know you want to.......
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Post by Teeni on Dec 30, 2007 20:26:33 GMT 1
I was feeling the way your were not so long ago, your not alone! I got to the point where i felt stuck with where to go and felt like a rubbish rider. First thing first, remember its meant to be fun, i think we all forget about this when we are so set on something. I was so set on trying to get my horse working nicely i forgot this horse lark is meant to be fun and an enjoyment. So the next few times i rode i just concentrated on having fun together and remember what its all about. After feeling happier in myself i knew i wanted to better myself/riding so started having lessons, i only have roughly two a month and haven't been having them long, but it does help you focus on what you want and need to do but in a fun way. Its great having eyes on the ground to help out and point you in the right direction, gives you something to work towards. The hard bit is finding the right instructor for you and your horse, once you've found them your laughing!! SO chin up chick, look forward and feel positive. All the best, keep us updated and remember your not alone. x x x
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Post by LisaM on Dec 30, 2007 20:29:28 GMT 1
In the pics your saddle does look a little front high which wont help... But with re aligning your legs the best thing to do is start by stretching your hips before riding - basically taking hold of your ankle with the same hand with yoiur leg bent - a basic stretch that you'd do before running or whatever. When the leg is bent and you have hold of it behind you - push your hip joint forwards creating more stretch. Then when on board practise taking the fatty/muscley thigh area away from the saddle - physically pulling it back - this almost turns the knee in as your left with little between you and Ted - it's simply moving the skin/fleshy area away from his back/sides. Then the reason for the thigh/hip stretch is that you wnat to imagine your weight into your thigh not the calf - pushing your knee down to the ground. Like one of those seat thingys that you can kneel on? By focusing on the knee going down and your weight in the thigh the lower leg will gradually go back - As it starts to go, move the flesh from the thigh area again - repeat as often as needed initially. I have a pic which will be useful but I'm struggling to d/load it
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Post by Teeni on Dec 30, 2007 20:33:57 GMT 1
Looking at the above picture i would say the saddle needs to be moved back a bit more, its too far forward. Once you have moved the saddle back a little it should sit level on your horses back. You need to try and sit centrally in the saddle and keep your legs back underneath you. Once you feel more in the centre of the saddle your legs won't seem so far forward, but still need to come back. Focus on feeling eligant, in tune with the horse, like someone has a bit of string pulling you up right in your seat, but don't tense up. lol
Hope you understand what i'm trying to say here.
x x x
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Post by LisaM on Dec 30, 2007 20:42:42 GMT 1
This picture is me on my Mare Viola. I backed her in August and have been learning the Mary Wanless technique ever since - not easy on a newly backed neddy but we're getting there!
This just shows the difference in leg position... except my thighs are fatter than yours!! lol more flab to pull to the back!
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Post by LisaM on Dec 30, 2007 20:43:38 GMT 1
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Vic
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Post by Vic on Dec 30, 2007 20:45:34 GMT 1
What picture Lisa?? Am i being a numpty or is it not there??
I was not stupid to buy him was i?? I know i keep saying it but a little voice in my head keeps telling me i was an idiot to think i could school him and that i am not good enough to have him....
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