#8 She who looks down ends up on the ground
I'm not gonna lie: this whole riding experience would be a lot easier if saddles had seat belts. So many times I was trotting along, minding my own business, and the moment I would look down for a brief second, my horse Libby would stop abruptly and send me nearly toppling over her! Each time, my trainer would observe and calmly remind me, “He who looks down ends up on the ground." Trying to correct your balance is harder than it looks! Where your eyes go, so follows your body. Very true. So if you look down at the ground, eventually that’s where you’re going to land. Bottom line: LOOK UP.
I’m still getting used to the fact that my seat/body-weight is used to increase or decrease the horse's pace. It makes me appreciate being able to just press a gas pedal to drive! At the end of the day it all comes down to balance. I think my horse secretly gets a kick out of reminding me when I’m off balance.
Today, my fifth lesson, we had to go back to "square one" a couple times. I was focusing so hard on remembering everything I'd learned at once (relax my ankle, keep heels down, close hip angle, push lower leg back behind me) that I would forget to breathe. Minor problem. Everything would come undone. My face kept turning red and I was riding very stiff. My trainer had me take my feet out of the stirrups and correctly set my hands, body and legs to reposition my seat. Once I reminded myself that the goal is not to become a world-renowned rider--just to get over my fear--I calmed down.
Lesson for today, don’t look down and remember to breathe! This sounds so simple now that the horse is off sleeping in the barn.
I am told that once you learn how to ride you will remember it forever. Is this true for you? Leave me a comment!
Next: Look Ma, No Hands!
Comments
John, about 1 year ago
Seat belts for saddles, love it!
Nina, about 1 year ago
You may remember, but the seat and balance doesnt stay forever! Riding like any other sport, requires conditioning. If you dont ride for a year, 5 years, or more, you lose the muscle that you had once created. Plus timing, which is all too important.
Kim, about 1 year ago
Great photo! :)
Holly, about 1 year ago
I think that it would be less safe to have seat belts on saddles in case you had to get off really quick.
Jan, about 1 year ago
I'd appreciate some Velcro at strategic places! And I know there's some kind of product to make your saddle "stickier."
Sarah, about 1 year ago
Found something better than a seatbelt - airbags! I just broke my back (not riding) and I'll be nervous getting on a horse when I'm healed. But eventers and endurance riders are using these now! http://www.air-vest.com/
Heather, about 1 year ago
use an Aussie saddle with a horn..keeps you in nice and snug its what I use for new rider lessons....
Jennifer, about 1 year ago
Wear full seat breeches.. you don't slide as much !
cheryl millwood, about 1 year ago
Sometimes your saddle can make you feel unsecure and we don't even realize that our saddle is causing a problem. I was helping a friend of mine with her horse and I asked if I could ride her horse for a moment to show her something, well the second I got in her saddle I told her that it is no wonder that you don't feel secure, I didn't feel secure in her saddle either. So I changed to a saddle that I had in my barn and the difference in her confidence was immediate. Also try a saddle with the rough out leather instead of the smooth leather, you may find that you will stick better to a roughout leather. Although I don't recommend this idea to most people and it depends on WHERE you ride, so if you are just riding in an arena, try riding with shorts, make sure you have your boots on, but riding with shorts will help you stick in the saddle better too and may help boost your confidence, but always use a helmet. I know most people will think I'm crazy but when It's hot outside I always ride where ever I want in shorts, you can get on much easier because you don't have blue jeans sticking to you and hendering you while trying to get on the horse, of course I am not talking about short shorts, maybe thigh length and use blue jean shorts.
Jenn, about 1 year ago
There are always so many things to think about. Trail riding has giving me a slightly different perspective - I have to look where I'm going. Sometimes though, it is difficult NOT to focus on the obstacles ...say, a tree in your way... when you're trying to avoid it. The problem is that the horse knows where you are looking... and will walk where your eyes point! I've tangled with enough tree limbs and bushes that you think I would always remember... until I run into another tree! It's a learning curve, and it does get easier as you go. As another poster said, your muscles will become conditioned to doing certain things... which makes it easier to focus on the things that are more challenging! I love the blog, keep up the good work!
Karisa, about 1 year ago
Thanks for the feedback Jenn! Very true about your horse going where you are looking!