hunterseat
Posted : 6/27/2010 9:21:56 PM
Hi! Welcome!
I ride English - all my life. I've never enjoyed western saddles but ONE DAY something happened that changed my LIFE! [
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] My son's horse was acting up with a guest riding him. My son is 6'2" with LOOONG legs. The stirrups were adjusted to him. BUT with the horse acting up I was about ready to learn him some manners! Anyway, I jumped on, put my feet in the stirrups and went "aaaaahhhhh!" THAT was more like it! All the times (not that many) I'd ridden in Western tack I had the stirrups WAY TOO SHORT. I firmly believe you'll enjoy the ride more if you adjust them so that your legs are nearly straight. You have to lose the old mindset of "stirrups to the bottom of your ankles". MAYBE THAT'S NOT CORRECT, but I encourage you to try them long-ish and see if it doesn't help. It's so hard to explain to western people about English saddles. I've heard "when you go up (down) a hill, what do you hang on to??" Generally they don't get hanging on to the horse with your legs and IF NEED BE grab a handful of mane but that's more for security over a fence on an iffy horse or up a steep hill... I hope you have fun!
The cinching you just have to practice. [
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