Spooking/Balance

[Tammy]

Today was the first time this year I rode Fresca on a short trail ride and of course there were scaries everywhere. Someone in the orchard dropped a metal ladder and Fresca jumped forward. I stayed on, but I know I pulled on the reins...didn't mean to, but that was just the physics of the spook. This has happened before and I always feel terrible ... sideways spooks don't result in my using the reins to "hold on". What do you guys do when your horse leaps forward unexpectedly? Can I overcome the sudden loss of balance? This mare can go from 0 to 40 mph in 3 seconds flat......

[M-A]

A method of minimising the effect of spooks is to ensure that your legs are wrapped around your horse. The pressure used should be firm but gentle, and involve even contact all the way down from thigh to calf. Try not to grip up with your knees, particularly at faster paces, or allow your heels to come up higher than your toes.

My horse is also spooky and very sharp. I always use a neck strap for hacking. If I see something I think she might not like, I take hold of the neck strap with one hand. This helps prevent a yank in the mouth if she does suddenly leap forwards. Some people might consider this is only for nervous or novice riders, but if it helps to keep your hands gentle under difficult circumstances, it must be a good thing (IMHO).

I also like saddles with a suade or nubuck seat and knee rolls. These are less slippery than plain leather.

[Tammy]

Thanks M A
I have a strap connected to the Drings across the front of my saddle that I use when I suspect my mare might become flighty. I am considering getting Heather's seat saver for my saddle, I'm sure that will help. This is kind of depressing because I thought I had a good seat/balance but that sudden spook forward from halt or walk gets the better of me...

[Dizzy]

Don't be too hard on yourself, spooks often happen so quickly there are very few if any riders who don't hang to the reins at sometime. As M-A said kneck straps are great and do help when you can anticipate a spook, I too always use one, another thing I've found is good is 'sticky bum jods', I haven't got Heather's seat saver, but will when I've some spare cash (ha ha).

Anyway well done for staying in the saddle! One horse lost me out the side door once it span so quickly luckily I landed on my feet, thinking 'where the **** has Paddy gone' and there he was standing smirking as if to say 'got you'.

Lesley

[Tammy]

Thank you Lesley

I have some "sticky bum" breeches but I found it nearly impossible to post a trot with them so I gave them to my niece to wear when riding western. It seems my backside stays put in the saddle during a sudden leap forward, it is my upper body that gets left behind! Oh well, my sudden grab at the reins makes Fresca stop immediately so I guess any pain I cause her is short-lived...

Just had to share...yesterday we twice achieved the "perfect trot". Balanced, collected, beautiful. What a feeling!!

[stella]

Hi
Who makes these sticky bum jodhs?

Stella

[Dizzy]

I got mine from http://www.oakfield-direct.co.uk for £40, but I know other brands make them. Oakfield has free delivery if you spend £50, I also got a solo comb for £15.

Lesley

[horselover]

the technical name of sticky bum breeches is full-seat breeches. I am glad some people like them- i hate them. But you can find them in most tack catalogs or tack stores.

[Tammy]

???? I have always called full seat breeches just that...full seat breeches. The breeches I have that I refer to as "sticky bum" have actual rubberized pieces on the inner thighs and rear end. They were described to me as dressage schoolers...easier to do sitting trot. I don't like them.

[horselover]

rubberized inner thigh?? thta's weird. I have never heard of them before- now I willl have to go try to find them b/c i am curious now.hmmmm. well. thanks for telling me.

[aniukas]

i'm planning on getting a pair of full-seat breeches, since i see them being used by most dressage riders at our stable. why do some of you find them useless? what are the downsides of full-seat breeches? could you please enlighten me?:)

[Dizzy]

I personally love my 'sticky bum' jods though I have only rode on leather and have heard that on synthetic saddles they really are sticky. I would love a pair of full seat jods, I know one girl who is an excellant dressage rider who was taught in Germany at a top dressage yard who rates them highly. Sorry I can't help you with the down side, but if you do get some let me know your opinion.

Lesley

[floppy]

dizzy,

i live in germany, and to see someone riding in breeches that arent sticky bummed or to at least have sitcky knee rolls on the brecches is a rare sight...to even find pair in a shop anywhere near me without them is impossible...all the better for me because i prefer then to at least have sticky knees than nothing at all! :)

[Maisie]

I've worn those full-seat breeches since I started.... so maybe I'm used to them. What's so bad about them? After a while you get used to the 'stickiness' factor and they're really quite comfortable.

[Tammy]

Just a matter of people talking about two different kinds of breeches....

I own a pair of dressage schoolers that are lightly rubberized where the "suede" parts are on normal full seat breeches. I just assumed this was what everyone meant when discussing "sticky seat" breeches. Regular full seat breeches are great and do not compare in "stickiness" to these tacky rubber patch things!!!