| Forget about all of those cowboys on
TV and in movies yelling "Yahoo" and whippin' their poor horses until they
can't run any faster. A good western rider controls the horse in a natural
and relaxed way that the horse is under control but relaxed as well.
To mount your horse stand on the left side facing it's head. Gather the
reins into your left hand and put your left foot into the stirrup. Grab the
saddle horn with your right hand, spring gently up and swing your right leg
over your horses back. Stand up in the stirrups and drop your heels, slowly
bend your knees until your seat is in the saddle and you are balanced, then
ask your horse to walk on. To get your horse to walk on squeeze gently into
your horse's side with your lower leg and in a calm voice say "walk on". To
get your pony to jog squeeze on and off with your lower leg with your hands
forward and say "jog on". To get your pony to lope squeeze with your outside
lower leg, pull up on your left rein and say "lope on". To stop your horse
sit deep in the saddle, say "whoa" in a clam voice, and gently pull back on
the reins.
When riding Western keep your head up and your back straight, but don't
look like your forcing it, stay relaxed. Keep your shoulder, hip and the
back of your heel in line, this helps you and your horse keep balance. Hold
the reins in one hand (this works for 2 hands as well) just in front of the
saddle snd above your horses mane. Do not rest your hands on the horn or
pommel! Don't force your heels down too far or your lower leg will come
forward. You'll move your seat bones and end up off balance. Sit deep in the
saddle on your seat bones. |
