Better at cantering withour stirrups than with...

[KarenMcD]

I don't know what has happened to my cantering position. Up until a few weeks ago I was doing fine - definately not perfect but ok. The past couple of weeks however things have definately gone to pot. It may be that I have been riding a few different horses recently but suddenly I am tensing my legs and losing my stirrups. And no matter how hard I try I always have too much foot through the stirrup (although that's always been the case).

Last night I was on BIG Reice (I think he is somewhere between 17hh and 18hh). I cantered him without stirrups which was great and my instructor said it was brilliant. However as soon as I take my stirrups back I am losing them on transition (a lot of the time anyway). I'm also tighter through the knee and sometimes lean forward at canter transition point. I'm don't think it's because I'm nervous as I LOVE cantering.

Any advice on how I can get back to where I was at least?

Karen

[denise42]

I was haveing a lot of troble with my transisions. So my instructor video taped me . I was able to watch my self ride and here her instructions and see how I responed to them. It help me more than anything else I have done in the last year... If you have acess to a video camara give it a try it really is an eye opener. :p

[Zimbah]

I can't think of any advice but just wanted to say I'm glad I'm not the only one! My canter without stirrups is much better than canter with - although the downwards transition can be a bit ungainly :D . I don't know if it's because having no stirrups makes me sit up straighter to keep my balance, and rely on my body more instead of my legs. I tend to draw my legs up and grip if I've got stirrups - instructor has said it doesn't look like I am, but I definitely am - I'm often reaching for my left stirrup. I

[sidesaddlelady1]

Coo, cantering without stirrups - scary! Brave girl you!

[Trewsers]

Crumbs, I felt quite weak reading your post on cantering without stirrups :eek: specially on such a big horsey :eek: I'll stick to cantering (when forced to) on my 15hh mare :D

[Mark]

Goodness me, I too am so surprised to find someone with a similar problem I find myself moved to post for the first time in ages!

The school I changed to a few months ago makes me do lots of canter without stirrups to the point where I now actually prefer it. Upward transitions are actually much easier. As has already been said I think it is simply because it forces you to adopt a better leg position and better balance(I think, but I don't really know what I'm talking about!). You certainly have to wrap your leg around the horse more. I too would be grateful for tips on how to translate this to using stirrups.

The one horse I do not fancy trying this on has a very bouncy trot to the point that I struggle without stirrups while staying in trot; the thought of the downward transition from canter... :eek:

[canadianbeaver]

I think it's probably because you are inadvertantly tight through your lower back. Consciously you must completely relax (trying lunge lessons are a great idea!) and take your leg off. If you're tight you bounce in the saddle which is then harder to get the horse in an outline etc.

[Fluffey]

When you do a lot of canter work (or any work without stirrups) you tend to deepen your seat, your legs feel longer.

I think when you put your legs back in your stirrups, you should try lengthening your stirrups a hole longer. I notice that I have to do that after my non-stirrup exercises because my seat is in a better position and I'm not clamping on with my legs so much.

I hope this makes sense, I know what I'm trying to say - I just don't know if I'm saying it or not.

I tend to pull my legs up when I give the leg aids to canter. I really have to think "heels down, legs long" when I give the leg aids.

Have your instructor make you do various exercises at the canter to make sure you are not tensing your legs. Good luck!

[tracyward]

:) I too have the exact same problems with cantering, i lean forward, i grip like hell with my knees which draw my legs up, i must look so tense and stupid. :o I'm hoping that an instructor will sort both me and my mare out. The only time i have cantered without any stirups it wasn't intentional, i was cantering around the track and she started to buck, hense i lost my stirups, but i didn't panic and i stayed on, found it quite funny really. :D

Think you're brave doing it intentionally. Good luck with it all. Keep us informed on how you're going, let us know how you manage to crack it :D