need pointers in riding horseback (lopeing) without holding on to the saddle horn.?

Question

I ride Western saddle. Fairly experienced in riding, however, when lopeing the horse I can't seem to get my balance without holding on. Is there a trick?

Answer 1

hold on to the horn at first. once you have established a nice steady canter, let go but hover yur hand over the horn just in case. see how long you can keep your hand off the horn before grabbing on to it again. try it a few times and each time bring your hand ff the horn higher and higher until you dont need it any more. make sure that your body lines are straight, ear to hip to ankle. think about that line and you should be able to keep yourself balanced. another trick is to imagine a string that runs through your entire body and comes out of the middle of the top of your head. imagine someone pulling up on that string and pulling you up.

Answer 2

1...Eyes Up. It helps a ton if you can pick a point and drive toward it, in a straight line or a circle.

2...Heals down and on the ball of your foot. Your legs and feet can often slip back when cueing a horse that is lazy and when the horse does pick up your legs and feet give you no security.There should be a straight line from your shoulder, to your hip, to your heal.

3...Shoulders waaaay back, chest out!!! It may feel akward at first but it works. Just remeber to sit up straight.

4..."Drive" and give your horse power with your butt. (Can't really think of a better way to explain...sorry!)

You might also want to do some lunging excersizes with your trainer or friends without stirrups or reins to just get better balance. It's a pain-but it works!

I'm assuming you neck rein if you have one hand on the saddle horn so try putting your other and on your thigh or extra rein. It just gives your other hand something to hold on to besides the horn.

I think all of that's ok with western, I haven't been in a western saddle for over a year so...

Answer 3

First trick is to relax, focus on the timing of the lope and allow your waist to move with it. I'm sure you are already aware of the heels down rule. Your horse may have a longer stride than others which can make it harder to sit to, but after a while you'll get used to it and it won't be a hassle. In the meantime- who cares if you hold onto the horn? It feels alot better than kissing the dirt!

Have fun and good luck :)

Answer 4

"Chase the neck" with your hand(s). Sounds silly, but if you do so you'll find that you stay with the motion much better and concentrating on chasing the neck will keep you're hand occupied so it dosn't need the horn.

With regaurds to the other answers,

Do keep your heels down, but be sure not to shove your lower leg out in front too much. Doing so may put you too far in the backseat, behind the motion, grasping for the horn.

Do Roll Into your knee (and maybe close your hip angle just a smidge) but be careful not to pinch with the knee... this makes your position weak.

Have Fun!

Answer 5

Keep your heels well down, straighten your back and make sure you don't lock your knees. The rest, I'm afraid, is down to old fashioned practice and balance.

Try riding English for a while, if your horse will accept the saddle!

Best of luck!

Answer 6

NO tirck
balance and pratice.
Ok maybe a trick do not clamp down with your knees. Many people when lopeing will tighten up their legs and if you do that you will be out of balance. Loose legs and sit up in the saddle.
Keep at it.
Good luck.

Answer 7

takes time & practice... Try to spend time on a lunge line in a round pen. remember to keep your heels down, legs under you, sit deep in the saddle and let your weight settle down your legs, sit up straight, look where you are going & don't forget to breath. Keep your body in line with the horse and try to maintain your center of gravity. it's not anything like riding a motorcycle. perseverance will pay off.

Answer 8

GET RID OF THE SADDLE AND RIDE BAREBACK. MY DAD WOULD NOT LET ME RIDE WITH A SADDLE UNTIL I COULD RIDE BAREBACK HE ALSO TOOK THE BRIDLE OFF THE HORSE . SLAPPED HER ON THE BUTT AND OFF WE WENT , BY THE WAY I DID NOT FALL OFF. I MUST HAVE BEEN ABOUT 8 OR9 YEARS OLD AND TO THIS DAY I HAVE NEVER FALLEN OFF AND PITCHED OFF ONLY A FEW TIMES. MY DAD WAS A REAL COWBOY, BUCKA ROO THE REAL DEAL.

Answer 9

sit deep in the seat and grab on to your pants with ur free hand. i had this prob too. if you dont feel cofy doing this 4 some reason, grab the back of the sadle's seat. don't lean 4ward.

hope it goes well!

Answer 10

Riding lessons. :) And a few little things called balance, proper equitation, and practice.