So I want some critique on my riding here.I like NEVER ride western, so ignore my hand on the horn, I'm not gripping, but it's there to remind me to sit back.
And I only recently started cantering, and I'm not used to being able to tell my leads or not, which is what me and my friends conversation is about, and she can't tell from the ground :/
Some info. on this horse:
This horse is a doll! And really good for helping people with the basics. The owner said I can come up and ride him whenever(he needs the exercise, and I need the practise), but I only go up every now and then with my friend, who is the owners cousin.
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Yep, you're better at a canter than I was when I started.
The best visualization trick I've found to sitting the canter is to think that your pelvis is an ice-cream scoop, and you are rhythmically scooping out ice-cream with it, bottom (seat bones) leading the motion as the horse's back goes down under your seat.
You were posting on the correct diagonal as well as the proper lead at the canter. I noticed that you got your canter when you stabilized your inner lower leg at the girth, gripping with your upper calf. Nice.
You know, this horse really might be a very good schoolmaster for you. Listen to him with respect. He will teach you more than any human.
Great job Emiry, you look great! Remember to push your heels down, I find that if my heels creep up than I start to tip forward. The horse is a cute mover by the way!
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Courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyway. - John Wayne
Here's one of me cantering english. My instructor decided to capture me jumping the small cross-rail becasue I was complaing because I had a random fear of jumping because it was "new" becasue I hadn't jumped in over a month, and my pony decided to refuse everything becasue I wasn't controling him enough...he has to be one of the best horses I rode for me to improve myself, because it's either right, or his way.
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Signs that things arn't going so well: You drowned in an internet surfing accident.
this is not to be rude, but both in english and western you can be doing more both for you and the horse. You look to me like your going along for the ride, and not actually riding. Your stirrups being too long IMO should help with a seat,in both english and western your heels need to be down, and I prefer the iron to be on the ball of the foot, not in the middle. Big security thing for me. Holding onto the horn actually does the opposite of what you want it too, holding to the horn makes you go forward not stay back. The "air" between you and the saddle at the canter concerns me since the western horse looks very comfortable. I would talk to your coach about more stirrup-less work and sitting work to become more subtle with your cues, and more comfortable for yourself and the horse, AKA a better seat. I'd like to see the horses riding more collected unstead of hollow, which means leg, and a steady hand to round the back, not a headset. Also more thought into asking for your cues will make it look more put-together. I wouldn't be jumping until all of that is mastered. Even some side pass, and flexion, riding in the square, and serpintines will help both horses and you. The english horse seems a bit bracey to me, ears back very uncomfortable but being a good boy, and this is where I think your seat needs work, and the horse is riding hollow by his neck which has more prominant muscling giving him the look of an ewe neck. Also do not hold onto the horn, hold onto the reins like you would in english, or one handed, the postion of your hands is unactive, and if there had been any type of bolt/spook/buck etc you do ont have active hands to correct it.
the reason I 'picked" on you in english unstead of western is the western was your first time.
I used to be A_Sassy_Temptation on here, I posted alot on the western forum, then I left for a bit, and now my account doesn't exist. So unfortunatly starting from scratch or I'd show you some other threads.
However Emiry, both those horses look like great horses to work with
Sorry for not replying sooner, I read your post, but have been super busy and just processed it.
Thanks for the advice! I know my equation still needs A LOT of work, specially at the canter because I have a fear of it for some reason.
The english horse does have an ewe neck, I find to get him to use proper muscles, you need to know what your doing, and I don't know what I'm doing at the canter... I can admit that.
Unfortunately I can only ride once a week right now, so my progress is VERY slow.
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Signs that things arn't going so well: You drowned in an internet surfing accident.