Sunday, February 14, 2010

Saddleseat Lesson Video



Before I left town for the weekend, I had another lesson.
This time I rode this horse.


Zoe is an 11 year old Saddlebred mare. She is a lot more horse than the one I rode in my last two lessons. Saddlebreds even look different in stalls. They are so upright- their heads and necks are up, and they move quick and watch you with expectant, bright eyes. They just look a little more intimidating and exiting than your average stock horse.


I heard that Zoe could be a pill on the ground. While waiting for my instructor to finish another lesson, I scratched her neck and softly stroked her face through her stall, pleading please don't buck me off when I ride you, please don't buck me off when I ride you. She was very sweet, shifting sideways to the stall bars so that I could reach her, her eye starting to close sleepily. Okay, she seemed to like me.


I wasn't actually nervous to ride her. But oh goodness, I felt a little out of my element! This isn't a push-button horse. She doesn't just trot while you sit up there and look pretty. Which is okay-dokay with me. I want to learn to ride her. And this mare makes you learn how to ride. How to get her head where it needs to be. How to get her set back under herself and use her body correctly.


I'm still working on my leg position. Now I've added an additional set of reins, as Zoe is ridden in a full-bridle (curb and snaffle.) And I'm on a horse I've never ridden, with a completely different form of movement than the Arabian I rode the last two times.


I was fairly happy with the lesson. We had some moments, me using my hands and the reins wrong, confusing her or upsetting her mouth. I had her trotting and cantering a little too fast at times. My downshift transitions from trot to walk or canter to trot were pretty ugly. And I kept losing a stirrup now and then (I am getting better about getting them back while in motion though, thank goodness!)


When you don't ride Zoe right, she stops and parks out, refusing to work for you. She did this once during the lesson, but I was able to get her going again. I felt good being able to get her working again, it shows I had some confidence and she sensed it.


I am at that point though- where I'm like wow, this is hard work. I mean, I never expected it to be easy, and I don't want to ride something push button- I have my own horse for that. My goal was to broaden my skills and learn something new. It will be frustrating at times. I joked with my instructor- can you just duct tape my legs where they are supposed to be? I don't understand them, they won't stay where I tell them! And who invented these tiny narrow wobbly stirrup leathers, anyway? I think I will probably hit a major moment of frustration at some point. But don't they say that is usually the case before a major breakthrough?



I asked my instructor to take some video of me riding. At the end of the ride, I asked her if she'd gotten any and she said oh, no, I forgot! So I went a few more rounds but Zoe was done. When she is near the end of a lesson, she tries to drop her head down (you'll see her do it in the video) in an attempt to get away from the bit and me in general. Regardless, hopefully this video gives you a taste of where I'm at. You can see when she tosses her head a bit (nose up) she is trying to get away from the bit, which means I am being too hard on her mouth.


It's all in the feel and I know that next weekend, I will ride her a little bit better. It was helpful for me to see a video of what I looked like up there on her back, and that even though my legs are too far forward and I'm using my back too much when posting, I don't look quite like the train wreck I
felt like! I hope to have Paint Girl take some more video when she returns from her trip.


Saddleseat Lesson from Pony Girl on Vimeo.




All in all, I think Zoe was pretty forgiving of me and was really trying for me. I really enjoyed riding her and hope that in the next few lessons, I can start to figure out this style of riding. I am really enjoying it! It's hard to believe that I have cantered two new horses in the last three weeks, and been fairly comfortable doing it. I do believe I am getting over my cantering issue!


I am out of town visiting family. For Valentine's day I got to ride my mom and aunt's horses, then watching some of the Daytona 500 and the Olympics, going on a walk with my cousins, and eat homemade lasagna and apple pie at my Nana's. I'm hoping to use the Nikon a lot this trip, I feel like it's been a few weeks since I've really taken any pictures! I hope you all had wonderful Valentine's and if you have President's Day off, enjoy the extended weekend!

31 comments:

  1. Sorry I didn't stick around to watch this earlier, the little one has worn me out and I got tired of keeping him out of stuff! The video was fun to watch! It looks like quite a challenge. By the way, I am writing this comment from my new baby! She's all hooked up and ready to go. Love her!!! I am tired and ready to go to bed. Talk to you tomorrow-I'm sleeping in though!

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  2. You look great up there. MB would look pretty darn funny holding his head up like that. Zoe is a beauty.

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  3. WONDERFUL!!! I'm so proud of you for pursuing this whole saddleseat thing and on to a champion horse that is very clearly NOT easy to ride!! Good job. And yes, your legs are forward but as you get more comfortable they'll come back - it takes some new muscles to get them back and keep them there in those little stirrup leathers compared to the big fenders of a western saddle. Keep it up - you look wonderful!

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  4. Wonderful Pony Girl, you did a great job and it does look difficult to ride Zoe. Thanks for sharing the video with us.

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  5. Wow! What an experience riding a Saddlebred must be! I give you credit for taking that on full speed ahead! Kudos to you! And I agree, they just LOOK different than other horses! LOL They scream, 'I'm hot, try me out, hahahaha'!

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  6. Don't you just hate those flat cutback saddles? Ugh..give me some leg rolls, a deeper seat please. LOL! She is lovely and so light on her front end. Once you had her head in a nicer headset you two looked really nice! I know what you mean about legs coming forward. These horses have so much front end action we tend to get behind their movement. So how sore were you the next day?
    Sigh, give me a cute little western jog any day. LOL! Thanks for sharing the video. Fun to watch! And love that arena!

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  7. I think you look great! I'm glad you're enjoying this new discipline - it sure is a very far cry from western pleasure on a stock type horse. Zoe looks like a great horse to learn on too - she looks like she's fun to ride. Before you know it, you'll have this saddle seat thing figured out and will be in the show ring sweeping up the competition!!! :)

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  8. love that video! you did very well though i am not a saddlebred person. that arena is very nice. it is all open and bright.

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  9. It must be thrilling for you to be riding that Saddlebred mare. SHe looks like she'd be a lot of work and a lot of fun at the same time! Thanks for sharing the video.

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  10. Looks like you have a good handle on what you are doing and need to do .My legs are sore just watching you posting ofr that long!

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  11. Not bad Pony Girl! Definitely a far cry from a nice comfy deep seated Western saddle though! So, are you back to walking normally yet, or not? I can only imagine how sore you are after each lesson. Shoot, when I just change it up and ride in my close-contact English saddle for 30 minutes, I can barely walk! You've got a great seat, and you don't look like you're going anywhere; the fine details will all fall into place soon enough. Keep it up!

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  12. I think you look fantastic up there - especially since you have had so few lessons thus far! I really enjoyed the video - please do more! So proud of you!

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  13. This is soooo interesting! Your legs move about a LOT less than mine, I wouldn't dare post a video of my riding at the moment. I am interested in your opinion of posting, though, as obviously we do it all the time, for hours, and don't think anything of it. Once you get the rhythm it gets a lot easier, but you looked fine to me, you just need to relax in your back a little, otherwise you will ache afterwards.

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  14. I have to wait until I get home to watch your video, but when I read about Zoe stopping and parking out I had to laugh! That's so typical. A Saddlebred won't run off with you, but they will park as if to say "well now, I think I'd better just stop and wait for you to collect yourself Dearie."

    As for those flat slick saddles... I've ridden in them all my life. After switching exclusively to an all purpose saddle for a year, I put the saddleseat saddle on my mare one day and, oh my, it WAS a bit slick! LOL!

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  15. Well, call me impressed my friend! You looked pretty darn good out there. Yes, there were some rough moments, but when you got it figured out, it was easy to see when and how smoothly you both moved together.
    It's so interesting how Zoe obviously knows just how she should be ridden and expects it. And when she isn't ridden correctly, she immediately lets her rider know. She's not mean about it, but she is an honest fair teacher. Definetely not a beginner lesson horse at all. I bet you feel honored to be able to ride her, because I'm sure they don't let anyone ride such a talented horse either.

    I can't wait to see how you progress as you work with Saddle Seat riding more. It looks so exhausting. I bet your lessons aren't too long. I don't think I'd be able to walk properly for a day or two afterwards.
    Are you doing any specific exercises to prepare for this kind of riding. This is so fascinating! I'm so excited for you!


    ~Lisa

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  16. I rode arabians saddle seat for many years, here is an exercise for you, stand with the balls of your feet on a step with the heels hanging free and ankles flexed like you are riding, feet shoulder width apart, bend your knees slightly, back straight, eyes forward and hands like you are holding contact with the bit, elbows about 90 degtrees.
    Now keeping eyes forward and your back straight do half squats as if you are posting. Put on a snappy song and ride a posting trot for the length of the song.
    I promise you will strengthen those legs in 1/2 the time. Your hands will become more independent and your lower legs wiill stengthen.

    It was always an exercise I used with newer riders and myself when I felt weak from not being in a flat saddle enough.

    Good luck and KUDOS for trying something new.

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  17. Great video--I know it's always harder than it looks and a lot of effort goes into it, but you look good!

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  18. Good job! I applaud you for the courage to step outside your comfort zone and just do it!

    Enjoy your time away.

    - Deborah

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  19. Awesome! Enjoyed the video! I think it's great that your goal is to broaden your horizens a bit! Nothing wrong with that! Kudos!

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  20. PG! I couldn't be prouder of you! Not even if you were mine own kin! When you got it right, you sure could tell, Zoe rounded up and you had a few steps that were steller!! Good job!
    Even though I have been riding for 50 years ( no that is NOT a typo) when I have a lesson I often leave the arena thinking, "How on earth do I manage to put one foot in front of the other?" I feel so e-ray-ard-tay-ed tay. (retarded)But that is because when I ride with out an instructor I am 'flowing' using muscle memory and not thinking about feet, heels, hands, shoulders breathe, what did she say, where am I going, did I do that already, did I do that right...etc.
    YOu are gonna be great! Keep at it PG! I can't wait to see the video of you in a few more weeks!

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  21. How great to have a video! That is really helpful. No wonder you are sore from posting. That is a fast trot! Can you say...1-2-1-2-1-2? Sounds like you are having a fun time visiting relatives! Enjoy the holiday!

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  22. I watched your video and you did GREAT! Keep it up. I can't believe she put you in a full bridle the first time riding that mare. She has a light mouth and you were making her mad (not your fault of course) resulting in those hard to ride bobbles. Your instructor would have gotten you so much further if she had given you a snaffle, martingale and four reins to start with. She's a really nice horse to be able to lesson on.

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  23. I love saddle seat ! If I had the Money that's what Id be doing ! I'd buy a Big ol NSH and GO STEPPIN in the Arab circuit!

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  24. I admire how you are pushing yourself out of your comfort zone.

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  25. WOW - that looked like hard work - good on you for trying something new. I have just started dressage & jumping & it is great to take that deep breathe & go forward. A little scary at times but an awesome rush when you get it right.
    Well Done!

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  26. It looks like you did a great job. What a joy to ride such a fantastic horse. She is beautiful! Next time I hope your trainer doesn't forget and tapes a lot more. I can't wait to see that!

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  27. I'm sitting here at my office desk unconsciously posting as I watch you go round and round. You're very wise to try something new, it all helps in the long run and makes you a better horseperson: better balance, better hands, a "smart" seat. Your horse will thank you, too.

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  28. I think you look really great! I rode some saddle seat my first semester of college. It's a lot harder than it looks. I got to ride a horse named Strikes Highlights.He was a Scottsdale's top 10!!! It was more difficult than it looked!!But you did a great job!!!

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  29. That style of riding looks very different. I'm thinking of my dressage lessons. None of what I know from my twenty years of doing dressage looked like it would be any use. I think you did great!

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  30. woo hoo! Great job! And excellent job controlling her in the full bridle- that's tough if you're not used to riding with 2 sets of reins. Most horses are pretty touchy in their full bridles, I'm also suprised she put you in that rather than a training snaffle with martingale to do for your first time. But you did a great job- tough work! Your body position was pretty steady too, especially good for only your 3rd or 4th time in that tack- way to go!

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  31. I am SOOO far behind on reading posts. I saw this one up when I was at work, but our firewall blocks video, so I had to come back to it. I know nothing about huntseat and was fascinated watching this. Love the speed of the trot. Seems like perhaps the legs may be in a different position than when you ride english? More of a chair position? Thank you for sharing.

    I have also read about My Boys arthritis. I think it sounds like you are doing the right thing. My kids started on an old boy with arthritis. He did well for them. If I worried, my husband always reminded me that HE has arthritis, too, and it hasn't lessened his work load. LOL! We just hate to see our equine friends hurting.

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I love hearing from my readers!! I truly enjoy all of your feedback, advice, helpful tips, and stories. You all make me laugh and I learn so much from you, too. I will try to post replies to your comments as often as I can.

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