How can I sit the lope better?

Question

I am a novice rider and I am having trouble riding the lope. Can you give me any tips on riding a canter. I ride only western or bareback.

Answer 1

Comfort in western riding is based on the following:

1. your weight ratio with regard to the weight of the horse i.e. you should not weigh more than 20% of the horses weight, again depending on the horse breed and age.

2. The comfort of the saddle on the horses back, the position and check that the saddle does not pinch the horse.

3. The size of the saddle is correct for you

4. The stirrups length, it should be ankle length

5. Your seat i.e. how you sit in the saddle, the position of your feets, etc. The best way to judge how you sit in the saddle, is to look into a mirror when you are on your horse, Your shoulders, butt and ankles should be in a straight line. Your ankles should also point downwards.

6. The briddle is confortable for the horse, and does not pinch his lips, check that the "smile" is not to wide.

7. Your hands. You should have a gentle feel of the bit in your hands, the reins should be lose, yet a feel of control in your hands, and your hands should be at a position of quarter to three, as wide as comfortable. Do not ride one handed until you have your balance.

8. Loping is a gentle and slow cantor, the easier you flow with the horses movements, the slower the horse will go. If you fight the horses mouth, he will speed up or break his gate into a trot, if you bounce on the horses back, he will speed up or break his gate. If you are loping in a circle, make sure the horse is on his correct footing in order for the horse to maintain his balance, i.e the lope is a 3 movement gate, front leg, perpindicular front and back leg and back leg.

9. sit correctly, make sure you sit on the seat of pants, not too forward, nor too back, relax your shoulders, release your wrists, place your hands forward, point your inside foot forward, touch the horses ribs with your outside foot and blow the horse a kiss. The more gentle and less violent on the bit you are, the better your seat and then you wille xperiance the most beautiful movement, in my opinion, the lope.

Again, check your saddle, saddle blanket, your position and relax and enjoy the ride...:)

Dont ride bareback unless you have perfected your trot balance, you may damage the horses spine!

Roy W

Answer 2

When I was first taught to canter or lope 50 years ago I was told to hold my reins in one hand and hold the cantle at the back of the saddle with the other. It felt great! It's best done on the lunge on a really quiet horse with a long stride. A short strided horse with high knee action can be very bouncy and difficult to sit.

Try trotting without stirrups on the lunge -trying too hard to sit will make you stiffen and bounce so relax as much as you can and let your legs stretch down and don't lean forward.You shouldn't be attempting to canter until you have an independent seat and can do a sitting trot comfortably. Good luck!

Answer 3

We have all been there. I had the same problem. What you do is that you lean back a little with your toes up and heels down. Relax and don't tense up. Enjoy your ride. Practice riding a lot to realize where your balance is. If you find it sit up and move your hips with the horse's movement.

Remember to have FUN!!!