Do you remember me mentioning that Paint Girl and I were thinking of buying an English saddle? We got one from a friend of hers on trial, but never got around to trying it! We finally got around to it last week.
Goodness, what a trip! As in "trippy!" I haven't ridden English since I took hunter/jumper lessons nearly 14 years ago. Hard to believe I was jumping 2 1/2 feet jumps back then (I also can't believe I never fell off as I could barely post in the saddle this time!) I was grinning so big, trying to get the hang of short stirrups and a more forward momentum.
Do my leathers look sized right?
Look how tiny I look on My Boy! My legs barely reach the bottom of his belly! I was so excited to use my black velvet helmet cover. I've had it all those years from when I took hunt seat lessons, but never used it. It just slips right over that ghastly "bowling ball" helmet I wear. It really completed the look. Seeing someone riding hunt seat without a helmet just doesn't look natural to me!
My Boy worked fine in the saddle, no apparent discomfort or weirdness. I had a hard time getting him to trot out though, he much prefers the pace of a western pleasure horse jog.
Since I tend to lean forward while riding, I think riding hunt seat suits me just fine! Paint Girl said my horse looked quite handsome English, almost better than western. Personally, riding hunt seat seemed like a lot more work. Those legs really got a workout. I remember those lessons I took so long ago....the trainer made me post without stirrups- now that was torture!
Cowgirl boots in the irons
I think Paint Girl and I will eventually invest in an English saddle, although to get the proper fit on her narrow Arabian and my apple-bellied Appy, we probably won't be able to share one. I think it's a great way to practice some different skills for both me and my horse!
You can read about Paint Girl's account of riding in the English saddle here.
He does look very nice in english tack , but thats maybe my bias ,I think Appys look good in any tack . He certainly seemed comfortable ,and wow so nicely collected!
ReplyDeletethat is a beautiful horse you have! He looks great in English attire! I too started english and later switched to western, my legs certainly looked much toner when I rode english!
ReplyDelete{Fern Valley}~ I agree, those Appy spots look good in anything! ;) Even though my horse is fairly stocky, he isn't built like a tank, so he looks fairly good both styles!
ReplyDeleteI do think your boy looks nice in an english saddle! I love that first picture of you guys.
ReplyDeleteHey, that saddle looks nice on your horse!
ReplyDeleteYour leathers (stirrups need to be longer though.
We should never put pressure (weight) on the stirrups, never any tension in our anchel joints.
In an english saddle we should ride as relaxed then in a western. Relaxed knees too.
We have to ride more with our hips and seatbones and less with our legs and hands.
And our balance point should be in our belly area.
We should always look (focus) in front of the horse (where we are going) and try to not focus too much on collecting the head. Collection comes from the hindquarters.
(Imagine a red rubber ball and put it where your navel is, baybe a bit deeper ;-)
If we activate our own "hindquarters" - pelvis, hips and seatbones, the horse will do the same and the horse will lift up his frontend and reach natural collection! ;-)
Your horse is really very handsome!!!
:))
{HBFG}~ Thanks for the insight! It bothered me that in both photos I was looking down at my horse's head, I was messing with getting him to collect up a bit. He's so fussy, as you can see in that one picture of his mouth cranked open, he looks like Evil Pony, LOL! I'm glad to hear the stirrups can drop down a notch or two, they felt really short, but I assumed they were to be shorter because I always thought you rode English in shorter stirrups!
ReplyDeleteGlad to see that you had a good ride!!! I'll bet it's strange after 14 yrs!!! You both looked great!!
ReplyDeleteYour boy looks lovely in English tack and your helmet cover definitely tied it all together! I think a lot of horses actually do like the hunt saddles better once they get used to them - much lighter and more contact from the rider. I know our horse does and he likes being able to move out in a big trot and canter as opposed to a slooooowwww western jog and lope.
ReplyDeleteKeep trying and maybe get a few lessons to get your riding style in line - riding English is a good work out!
He does look very cute going English! I would drop your stirrups at least one hole - you want your ankle and lower leg to be relaxed and not braced - think of pulling your toes up instead of pushing your heel down. And the saddle might need to go a little farther back - put it where it fits naturally. That old helmet you're wearing may not be a certified one - I used to ride in velvet helmets that were basically worthless as protection - they have new ones now that meet the certification standards.
ReplyDeleteYou and your guy are really cute - I'm a big fan of appys - I had one as a kid that looked a lot like yours.
We have an english saddle I've put on Windy a time or two. She is a "to die for" english looking horse. I bought an english bridle this spring & just last week, tried that on her, too (with my western saddle). Gosh, it's like playing dress-up w/my horse. Glad she is a willing participant. Soooo, I hope to get both the saddle AND the bridle on her at the same time and I am kind of thinking of doing english lessons this fall. Gawd help me... :)
ReplyDeleteMy boy looks pretty darn handsome under that saddle!
Get a wintec 500.
ReplyDeleteI got a wintec, they are wonderful for me because I ride and train so many different horses. They have the changeable gullet see. Would fit both yours.
{Kate}~ The helmet is certified, I was surprised because it's pretty old! The slip-on cover is velvet, which is nice I can take it off and just use it for "good" or in this case, when I ride huntseat! I am going to be purchasing a new helmet in August as this one is kind of heavy and I think it's giving me headaches on long rides.
ReplyDelete{Sydney}~ Someone mentioned the Wintecs in my previous "English Invasion" post, and the changeable gullets. Would be interesting to try one out!
Wow!! Your spotted pill look so handsome in English dress! It is different riding English after riding western all you life. I am getting used to it and now prefer my dressage saddle to the western one I have. when I first started riding the dressage saddle my legs were really out front now they are back where they should be. Practice, practice, practice!!! You both look great, have fun!!! Love those Appy spots on your boy!!
ReplyDelete~Jane and Gilly~
Lol, while you rediscover English, I'm changing direction and going Western! Treeless first though. May be having my first treeless tryout in a few, which would be wonderful!
ReplyDeleteWOW!! He looks awesome!! You look so tiny up there too! I was going to suggest the Wintec too because I looked into them last year while trying to saddle fit the impossible to fit gelding of mine!
ReplyDeleteI tried English last year and found it to be a very odd feeling (when you are used to western) and I find it is a lot more work too:) Okay! Time to set up some jumps! Get to it girl! LOL
You guys look great! Your boy is so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI agree drop your leathers a notch, your heels look uncomfortably low.
You can usually find good used saddles at shows. I would look for one with a good knee roll and a leather, not suede knee pad. Posting will be easier.
I swear by Beval. http://www.allthebestusedsaddles.com/
As far as I know you looked great. I don't have any knowledge what so ever about English riding. Never ever been around it.
ReplyDeleteI love the blog make-over! Everything looks fantastic! You are such a tiny gal that your guy looks like a giant with you on him! He sure is pretty colored. Have fun with the english saddle- always fun to try something new!
ReplyDeleteAww, he's handsome no matter what you put on him. Your Boy really looks GREAT.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely longer stirrup leathers... recalling something about a straight line from shoulder to hip to heel. It looks a bit like hard work (but then I always ride quite long).
ReplyDeleteI adore the English look - you need some top boots now to complete the ensemble!!!
:-)
BB
PS Am very jealous of your tiny figure - I would not let anyone take pics of me riding at the moment!!! You inspire me!
Oh wow!!! you both look amazing!!!! That entire combination just looks so much more comfortable than a big western saddle :) Beautiful pictures and you look lovely on your sweet appy boy!
ReplyDeleteI think your boy looks really very fabulous in that saddle! And you in that velevty hat! And pink shirt! It all looks very beautiful to me. I hope you get the saddle. It is always nice to spice things up with something new. You and Paint Girl: the new Spice Girls!
ReplyDeleteYou've inspired me. Might have to throw my dressage saddle on. Luke seems to move better with the english saddle - frees him up some. But I wouldn't trail ride in it - comfy but not secure enough for sudden shying.
ReplyDeleteomg, your blog makeover is truly professional looking! i really really love the header...i wish i was talented with html. about the english saddle and new 'look'. as a novice eventer, i love to jump. short legs for jumping, longer legs for dressage. heal down always for eventers. i am sure you will get used to it and develop the feel again. good luck!
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had fun. Glad to hear Riley was up to the challenge!
ReplyDeleteEnglish is a lot harder, isn't it?? I usually trail ride in an English saddle, so when I happen to ride in a Western one, I feel like I am being held in-as opposed to feeling like I riding bareback in an English one.
ReplyDeleteYou both look great, but I would drop your stirrups by a notch and see how that feels. :)
Oh how absolutleyE adorable in his English attire and so are YOU!
ReplyDeleteI have one of theose helment cozi's too, in velvet. It can transform anything!
Completely agree with HBFG!! Lower the sirrips..only that short for jumping.- not flat work like you'll be doing. Your feet should rest flat in the stirrps not all angled out.
The saddle looked a bit bridged over My boy's back..does it rest evenly along his topline? The sweat marks(ride till he gets a sweat under the saddle)should be even with no apparent large dry spots.
I am going to be the only one that probably will say..I don't like wintecs! My mare's back was soo sore with them and I was not balanced.
oh..another note on stirrup lengths...
As you ride and post..you should be able to stand up to change a posting diagonal, as well as sit it like normal..that is my test for my leg..if is is under me , balanced, or not.
Well this is too cool for you to be so versatile!!! Whenb I look for my Western saddle, will you help me?? I know NOTHING! I have really wanted to get one now for quite a few months.
Maybe you could make a post with tips and suggestions?
I would LOVE that..oh and wonderful pictures too!
I love you new design here, sweetie!
Kacy, w Wa mare~
PS...another note that HBFG landed on that I agree with totally is that collection comes from behind and from a leg not a hand. If Wa drops below the bit, I erge from the leg for her to raise her head and back on the bit..it she is above the bit..I cirlcle her or just do a "yielding" of the rein- motion towards her face, with my inside hand/elbow and she will relax and down again.
ReplyDeleteMy sister taught me that your hands should be closed and the pointer finger should be able to point to the horses mouth -IN A Straight line- ..this will be your connnection to the lips and not a barrier or hinderance. Your elbows alway should be giving.. The horse owns your hands to the elbow !
Ooou I am rattleing!
PS FINALLY got the bigger pictures thing happening... c'mon over and tell me what you reckon? Verticals still massive!!!
ReplyDelete:-)
BB
You and your horse look really cute together! I'm sure you'll get the hang of English sooner or later. :)
ReplyDeleteCool, I have the cutback English type saddle, I've been curious to try, might give a try now!
ReplyDeleteI think an english saddle is a great idea-so much more contact with the legs. I started offf learning english, then switched to western-I just feel more secure in a western saddle-esp. on a trail ride, and I think I might be nervous switching at this point. Good for you!
ReplyDeleteI don't know beans about proper equitation, but I rode my old TWH mare for years and many, many miles in NATRC in a cutback show saddle. To bug the western riders, I had it buckstitched. I think you and your horse look great both ways.
ReplyDeleteGood for you for getting back into an English saddle! I agree with all that the stirrups look a bit short. I find the easy way to calibrate them is to sit in the saddle, legs down and relaxed. The bottom of the iron should brush the bottom of your ankle bone...a good starting point for more fine-tuning. The shorter stirrup might work for very fast work over high fences...but maybe not. Have fun with it!
ReplyDeleteHe looks beautiful English!!!! Of course so do you :)
ReplyDeleteVery cool, PG! So will you be taking dressage/english lessons soon? What a fun thing to do with your spotted pony. He sure looks good, too. I think he looks good in anything, though. hehe!
ReplyDeleteI think he likes that english saddle...so yes, go get one! Another reason to go shopping...to buy all the fun gear that goes with riding english! :)
~Lisa
Well, both you and My Boy look great. I agree with you that the look of English riding is not complete without the helmet. And the helmet has to have that black cover. I don't know if I could do English riding because I just cannot seem to get the hang of posting a trot. By the way, the blog's new look is fabulous...you are very artistic!! And creative!
ReplyDeleteHey Pony Girl! Don't worry about the pictures, they look nice, and if you put more focus on your seatbones and the hind quarters of your horse instead of his front/head, you will look forward more automatically. And he will lift up automatically .
ReplyDeleteEven though it doesn't look nice at the beginning, but as soon as he understands what to do, that he has to put more weight on his hind legs and collect from there, he will relax in his neck and feel back for your hands.
A horse immitates our body posture! If you look down, he will too, if you are heavy in your shoulders and arms, trying to lift him up and "collect" then he will get heavy in his shoulders and front legs too... As I wrote, Collection starts in the hind, not the front. Doesn't matter if english or western ridden.
A horse is a horse, not matter what saddle you put on.
Try the thing with the balance ball! Imagine putting your own "center of balance" in your belly area - and do the same with your horse. His center of balance should also be further back, in his belly/lumber area/pelvis (Hard to describe on a horse).
You can do a lot mentally!
About the stirups, they are only shorter when you have a jumping saddle. Dressage stirups are also long and the heel deep... ;-)
I have an Award waiting for you on my blog, pick it up whenever you like, if you like... ;-)
Very cute in your english saddle. I show a hunter gelding and have to continuously ride in an english saddle to keep my balance tuned.
ReplyDeleteit is so a very different feeling but i know it's helped me alot... have fun
ReplyDeletegp
Your horse looks gorgeous in those photos.
ReplyDeleteI like the new blog makeover! Your camera shoots some amazing pictures. I love the first picture of you and your boy!
ReplyDeleteHe is a beauty and you do look so little on him! I have an english saddle and I don't like it. If I have to use a saddle I always go for my western. I think you nailed it with the it's alot of work statement. LOL.
ReplyDelete