Cowgirl Up
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| Because these are legit the only photos I have of us in western tack |
It was a good, good decision.
I am, to be perfectly frank, not 100% comfortable in western tack. The saddle makes me feel too far away from the horse's back, the stirrups are too long and too clunky, split reins are the devil, I don't have spurs that fit over my western boots, and I haven't really spent the time I should have in teaching Dino to neck rein. It's a little awkward.
But the wonderful thing about all of that is that it forces me to do less, which is something I have struggled with in my riding for a long, long time. I can't hang on Dino's face with the curb bit, I can't grip with my legs in the western saddle, and it's a lot harder for me to nag him when I'm just trying to keep myself in the right place.
Dino the Cowpony loves it.
We toodled all over the farm, working going in a longer, lower frame without losing the impulsion from behind. The western tack forces me to set Dino up with my legs, seat, and hands, and then release and let him go, giving him the responsibility to hold his own self up. Not shockingly, he went SO well when I wasn't nagging and micromanaging his every step.
I also found myself having to work REALLY hard to keep him moving slower while also staying engaged. If my seat stopped following the motion or I got grabby, he'd quit. Especially in the jog, I had to focus on keeping my hips moving side-to-side to follow his back and maintain a slower gait that still had impulsion.
By the end of the ride, though, I had gotten my feel back in our western tack, and Dino was going incredibly well. I was able to use just a breath and a subtle seat aid to get him to transition up and down, and he was holding himself round with very little influence from me. Even in the canter, which was definitely TOO FAST to be considered a true lope, Dino was working all the way over his back and really stepping up and taking responsibility for his own body.
I think I'm going to have to start incorporating more western rides into our weekly schedule!
I never thought about western tack forcing you to stop nitpicking! I always feel nervous riding in it - like I'm trapped, because the seat is so all-surrounding. Too many years in flat-as-a-pancake English saddles, I guess.
ReplyDeleteHehehe I have something to say about this NEXT WEEK.
ReplyDeleteOOOOO I'm intrigued!
DeleteWestern tack is the best for making you feel a million miles from your horse's back. And yeah, split reins and I have issues too:) It's been forever since I used my western saddle...I'm inspired now to pull it out and go cowgirlin' !
ReplyDeleteHa I love it! Switching it up is definitely a fun way to test out the skills
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty good with the split reins (thanks Ducky), but the western saddle is SO HARD FOR ME! When Ducky was at cowboy camp, they had me ride in western tack. I swear I couldn't even reach the stirrups.
ReplyDeleteGood points about the western tack making you stay out of the way. Maybe I should put Jamp in the western bridle for awhile so I leave his face alone....
It takes a while to get used ot western tack. I tried to find a saddle for Carmen but I couldn't find one that fit so I gave up.
ReplyDeleteomg he looks so cute in his western tack. i saw thsi REALLY AWESOME barrel saddle with a PURPLE ostrich seat and i really wanted it. eventually - purple western saddle. for trail riding.
ReplyDeleteI think you should just buy it and make it a requirement that your next horse fit in it.
DeleteEvery once in a while I miss western... but not enough to get a western saddle and subject Miles to that, haha
ReplyDeleteAnd the flip side of this is why I will hear "shorten your reins, it's okay to feel your horse's face!" until I die. But what do you mean my reins aren't just there to look pretty and spurs don't mean stop?!
ReplyDeleteOh man I would LOVE to ride a spur-broke horse some day! That's a whole 'nother skill set and I'm fascinated by that method of training.
Deletei grew up riding western as a kid. Had a little gray arabian western horse and we won all over the place. BUT i am not comfy western. Went to English and never looked back :) I love Dino all westterned out (With his hunter clip Natch)! Love that you have so much fun with him too!! and ha ha ha it is a great idea for hacking out if you have a pony who can toodle along (Remus even though a QH is not the slow shuffle type...) Sometimes I wish he was :)
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