Losing stirrups at canter - I actualy like it!

[kiwigirl]

Dad came riding with me at the riding school last Friday so we just had a fun lesson. He hasn't ridden for 20 years or so (used to muster cattle/sheep on horseback) But before I could turn round he was cantering up and down the arena:eek: Lucky him have that confidence. ALthough his postion and style was unique!

Anyway we had lots of canter races together - its amazing when you are having fun so much more relaxed. So no holding on to neck straps or pommels this time. I think my lunge lesson the day before did me wonders because I just relaxed and wrapped my legs around the horse, really thinking about keeping my knee off the saddle and trying not to point my toes down! Only thing was I did loose my stirrups a few times. Now this was not scary at all - in fact my leg felt more secure and I felt like I could give decent squeezes to keep the horse going?

Has anyone else experieced this and enjoys stirrupless canter?

Next question how to I keep my leg in the right spot with stirrups?!

[Meovcorz]

my "teacher" (a very good friend of mine who knows alot about a horses and has been riding for years.) told me the first time I cantered that I should just drop the stirrups and not worry about them, and said its actually easier to canter without them, I agree, but you definitly want to be able to know that you can stay in the saddle if your horse, has a tendency of dropping down into a trot, well actually I nearly fell of a couple of times from that with Jack.

[fishiz3434]

i always loose my stirrups cos i was so used to riding bare back in canter and i wasn't even used to them when jumping...but it's made my balance really good so i dont think there is anything wrong with it unless u want to do dressage or hack hehe :)

[fishiz3434]

Next question how to I keep my leg in the right spot with stirrups?!

didn't see that bit...maybe try some two and three point, with your heel jamed down but keep moving with the horse(the usual stuff)

[*toHorse&Away*]

That sounds great fun! Good on your dad as well!
Don't mind cantering without stirrpus but the stopping is the big issue with me as it does unbalance unless you sit right up!

And I don;t know how you keep in the right position. I don't think I do...:(

[rabbit]

I have the exact same problem and it drives me nuts.

Cantering without stirrups is great. With stirrups, I guess that I grip or something, and it lifts up my feet slightly and they move right into the stirrup. (not very safe).


My instructor said to do more 2 point canter work. The thing that I don't understand is the weight in stirrups.

Do you just let your legs hang, or do you actually press down with your legs (so you could stand up in an instant?)

[Mistertron]

I keep losing my stirrups at canter - my feet slip too far forwards because I'M NOT KEEPING MY HEELS DOWN!!!! (as my RI yells at me!). Not sure i'm ready for canter without stirrups properley - although do need to work on my leg position.

p.s thats so cool of your dad to get stuck in!!

[tiger28]

My instructor said to do more 2 point canter work. The thing that I don't understand is the weight in stirrups.

Do you just let your legs hang, or do you actually press down with your legs (so you could stand up in an instant?)

rabbit-when you are in the 2pt position allow your ankle to be flexible like a little hinge- that is how my RI describes it and when i am doing it right that is exactly how it feels- you are allowing your weight and the rhythm of the gait to flex your ankle up and down- keep it loose and you will feel your weight sinking down into the stirrups- as for no stirrups- i cant even imaging that!:eek:

[Lyndz & Siners]

i actually think its a lot easier to canter without stirrups then it is to canter with stirrups

[fishiz3434]

i did a x country training day yesterday and my horse cantered the entire way prittymuch cos it was his first time and was really excited and i found that cos i wasn't concentrating on anything but the jumps and getting him to go the write way my feet and balance was perfect probly cos i didn't even think about it, so maybe try to do somthing like barral racing or weaving so u dont thing abot ** feet, just a suggestion :)