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*claps* F o l k s ! So, I love training. Doesn't matter if it's the horse or the rider, I just love training in all areas related to horses. I've been missing being able to train lately, so I decided to ask somethin of y'all... I'd deeply appreciate if you posted pictures and/or videos of you riding, for me to critique and give tips! You can also ask me training/riding things if you'd like, but keep in mind that an in person trainer can be more helpful ;) Thanks, love ya! |
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Here's a link to a old picture of my 7th grade self riding my second horse which I'm still a beginner with a little experience of riding which I rode in a western saddle four times I think |
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Thanks! Will be posting critiques here, by the way. Picture angle isn't the greatest for total evaluation, but I can still see some things that need correcting. Your toes appear to be pointed down and the left stirrup is falling off your foot. Really work on getting your heels down with the stirrup on the ball of your foot. That way they shouldn't fall off, you won't get dragged if you fall off, and you can use leg/seat aids more effectively. Next, your hands are in your lap and your shoulders are sagging. I know you were riding western, but it still doesn't in any way hurt to use more proper equitation. This means relaxing your shoulders and bringing them more back, along with getting your hands a bit more up. Lastly, I feel like the horse could have used more support of the inside leg on the turn, and perhaps a little outside rein. Overall, not bad! Good ride. |
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Amhain Dull Liath said:
Thanks! Will be posting critiques here, by the way. Picture angle isn't the greatest for total evaluation, but I can still see some things that need correcting. Your toes appear to be pointed down and the left stirrup is falling off your foot. Really work on getting your heels down with the stirrup on the ball of your foot. That way they shouldn't fall off, you won't get dragged if you fall off, and you can use leg/seat aids more effectively. Next, your hands are in your lap and your shoulders are sagging. I know you were riding western, but it still doesn't in any way hurt to use more proper equitation. This means relaxing your shoulders and bringing them more back, along with getting your hands a bit more up. Lastly, I feel like the horse could have used more support of the inside leg on the turn, and perhaps a little outside rein. Overall, not bad! Good ride.
Thanks, I'm sure to keep this in mind even though I joke to my friends about falling off like a potato but I'm working on getting back into riding honestly ^-^ |
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I know exactly what's wrong with this video (could make a list) but here. This was about 4 1/2 years ago, so I've improved <3 |
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Alright so this was last year i have improved alot since this |
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here is a video of me riding the horse I currently lease. |
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Star Catcher Estate said:
I know exactly what's wrong with this video (could make a list) but here. This was about 4 1/2 years ago, so I've improved <3
Western isn't my expertise, so I don't have too much to say on this as I don't believe I'm qualified to. What I immediately notice, though, is a lack in effectiveness from your aids, and a reluctance to continue from your horse. Do lots of transitions on a circle, such as walk-trot-halt, halt-trot-halt, walk-canter-halt, etc etc, and change the size of your circle regularly. I also see that you have a strange knocking on the horse's mouth. Besides the fact that no attempt seems to be made at a proper frame (I at least know how western horses should appear), the length of the rein and uneven contact makes the horse unable to frame if he was asked. Work on keeping your hands steady and a bit more forward, which will develop better core muscle for you, in turn helping with a better posture and ability to balance, etc.. I can't tell what's going on with the posting, but it really just looks like bouncing. To me it seems that this is from a lack of balance and core strength. A good excercise to do for both balance, core strength, and posture is taking an elastic hind leg strap off of a horse's blanket, clipping it in a loop (making it smaller if you need to), and putting your hands through it so it sits on your wrists. The whole time you are riding, keep a light tension in the band by lightly pushing your hands out against it. It doesn't seem like much, but it actually does a lot! Gives you steady hands, a strong core, better balance, and a better use of your leg/seat aids! You can accompany this with a few minutes of no stirrups. I've done this with my trainer and it has really done wonders for me. |
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Fireball Stables said:
Alright so this was last year i have improved alot since this
First thing I notice is tension in your back, arms, and hands. Tension causes trouble balancing and using your aids effectively, also causing you to pull your horse's mouth. Remember to breath and keep your focus on what you will do next. I would also like to see you widen your hands a bit, as you seem to be hugging them together throughout most of the video. More contact on your reins would also be appreciated, and don't ever forget to frame your horse for workouts! Framing isn't just to make horses look pretty. It's actually extremely beneficial for their bodies, helping them learn to move correctly (without damaging themselves) and building up extremely important muscles like the top line. So, unless your going for a loose rein relax time or fun ride, get that pony consistent in collection with a steady outside rein and rhythmic taps on the inside rein paired with inside leg. Another thing I see continuing throughout the whole video is the horse leaning. You need to give your horse more backup to stop him/her from leaning. This can be raising your inside shoulder or consistently tapping with inside leg, and a steady outside rein will always be beneficial. As for your posture, I think you could benefit from the blanket band exercise I mentioned for Fleur up above. Also, you should add more weight to your heels, especially in the center. Action needs a "shock absorber", and for riding this needs to be your heels. Otherwise, it's your horse's back, and we all know that's a no go. So, while it may seem hard at first, really try to sit deep in the saddle and let the shock of the motion travel into your heels, causing a small bounce to your feet instead of your body. |
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Amhain Dull Liath said:
Star Catcher Estate said:
I know exactly what's wrong with this video (could make a list) but here. This was about 4 1/2 years ago, so I've improved <3
Western isn't my expertise, so I don't have too much to say on this as I don't believe I'm qualified to. What I immediately notice, though, is a lack in effectiveness from your aids, and a reluctance to continue from your horse. Do lots of transitions on a circle, such as walk-trot-halt, halt-trot-halt, walk-canter-halt, etc etc, and change the size of your circle regularly. I also see that you have a strange knocking on the horse's mouth. Besides the fact that no attempt seems to be made at a proper frame (I at least know how western horses should appear), the length of the rein and uneven contact makes the horse unable to frame if he was asked. Work on keeping your hands steady and a bit more forward, which will develop better core muscle for you, in turn helping with a better posture and ability to balance, etc.. I can't tell what's going on with the posting, but it really just looks like bouncing. To me it seems that this is from a lack of balance and core strength. A good excercise to do for both balance, core strength, and posture is taking an elastic hind leg strap off of a horse's blanket, clipping it in a loop (making it smaller if you need to), and putting your hands through it so it sits on your wrists. The whole time you are riding, keep a light tension in the band by lightly pushing your hands out against it. It doesn't seem like much, but it actually does a lot! Gives you steady hands, a strong core, better balance, and a better use of your leg/seat aids! You can accompany this with a few minutes of no stirrups. I've done this with my trainer and it has really done wonders for me.
Again, this was four and a half years ago XD Hugie is a horse who would prefer to spend all day being an ass and chasing mares. But also, I don't ride competitively, and it's a summer camp. To be perfectly honest, it's a place where you learn the basics, and I'm sure with proper training I'd be much better, but I don't have the time or money for that during the year. Too many excuses lol. And I don't know what was up with Hugie's tack. He's perfectly fine with bitless. Very much a leg horse Edit: It's also a university stable, and the camp is really just some extra money for the college and something for the horses to do in between school years. |
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Snow and Sleet Mix, Clearing at Night
