Riding without stirrups and....

[PurpleHammer]

...gripping.


I know a lot of RS (and many of the members of this forum) encourage riders to practice w/o stirrups a lot. One RI that I know of (but have yet to have a lesson with) has her riders do it constantly. In fact, there are very few (if any) lessons where she does not have her riders do this.

I rode at a different barn (and obviously with a new RI), and she had a totally different attitude about it. She told me that she does not like having her riders do it at all because it encourages gripping (both with and without stirrups), and that this is difficult to get rid of once it becomes a habit.

My regular RI seems to have a mixture of both attitudes on this subject. She has often encouraged us to ride w/o stirrups, and she's praised myself and others for practicing w/o stirrups when we did it on our own (i.e., without being told to do so), and I used to practice w/o stirrups a lot. However, earlier this summer she told me to not do it for awhile because she noticed that I was gripping and she wanted me to stop doing that. (I think part of that was because it was shortly after returning to riding after a 7 month layoff, and I was trying to ride like I did beforehand. )

I can't remember if I I had stirrups or not when she told me to not ride w/o stirrups for this reason, but I'm curious about the differences in these two instructor's attitudes about this. My understanding was that people might initially grip, but that would eventually stop after awhile. When does riding w/o stirrups cause gripping? Can gripping when riding w/o stirrups become a habit to where it also can happen even with stirrups? What are the ways that a person can prevent gripping, regardless if they have stirrups or not?


Thanks in advance for anyone willing to share thoughts/ideas on this topic!

 

[~*sugarlump*~]

I love riding without stirrups, it's saved me from hitting the dirt a few times actually, when I've lost my stirrups during spooks etc.

I think as long as you have a decent RI who can teach you how to work without stirrups properly then you won't have a problem. Think about your legs being like wet towels around the horses sides- touching, but not gripping.

 

[leah&lydia]

I went on a hack while i was on holiday in cornwall & i cantered up a hill + lost my stirrup + dint really think much of it as i had a lesson without stirrups not long back, so i was veryy thankful !
My RI says firstly sort your balance/body out & your legs will follow.
Wen i work without stirrups i hold onto her mane or the saddle for extra support.

 

[cesa]

Recently my RI has discovered my share pony is brilliant on the lunge so we have a short session at the start of our lesson on the lunge - without stirrups or reins. So far I've managed to trot like this and I feel really relaxed and enjoy it. I've also cantered without stirrups buy my RI still lets me have one hand on the saddle for balance. I have a feeling tomorrow I'll have to let go the saddle and go it alone for the first time ever!! But I find I really benefit from riding without stirrups as I'm encouraged not to grip, so it's not something I've ever got into the habit of. It's great for teaching you how to balance without using your stirrups and it really helps you learn to sit deeper in the saddle and be more at one with your horse.

 

[Samsky]

If you grip up when riding without stirrups you'll fall off so it's quite simple really.

 

[kathyt1]

If you grip up with stirrups you will lose them, so you must be taught either way not to grip with your legs. If you are taught the correct interation with the horses back so you absorb the movement you won't feel the need to grip.