I quit using my stirrups for a year. I rode without them and my leg seemed to grow 2 feet longer. My posting really improved, and I learned to use different muscles to stay on. It was scary at first, and I was really sore in the upper inner thigh, but gradually those muscles strengthened and I learned to use those muscles in the half halt and halt without having to use the rein. It really makes you post forward rather than "up". When I went back to stirrups, they stayed on.
Thank you for this video. This is a huge problem for me. When I go into the counter, usually it’s okay, the fear of falling takes over and I tighten up.
If cantering is new that that’s totally normal! That happened to me then my horse would come back to a trot, trust me the more you do it the better you get.
Spot on! I had the problem as well for a long time! Shortened stirrups and put more weight in them. Never lose them now. When people emulate dressage riders they always think they need long stirrups. Also taking thigh off freed my horse so much. Very useful video!
As a 12 year old I fell of a horse. Right after I watched a few of ur canter videos I immediately got better and now I’m top in my class thank u very much!!! ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Thank you, this was very helpful. I ride two completely different horses and I have had trouble keeping my stirrups in the canter for the more forward one. Over the past year I have gotten much more balanced in my position, and the less forward horse I've been able to ride beautifully.
So very interesting. I have a very sensitive horse too and I am just starting to learn the canter too. Thank you - I have to try these tips in my next lesson.
I really love your content! Do you maybe also have any tips on stopping with stiffening up while cantering? I can't seem to sit and start bouncing... It also depends on the horse im riding
@@BasicHorseTraining I had a super lesson today using the open and squish movements. Before doing this, I practiced riding without stirrups at walk for the first part of the lesson, and could feel that I was sitting much deeper in the saddle and my legs lengthened. I felt very balanced and my horse felt more forward going rather than hard work to motivate. I think the open/squish had a huge impact on my horse being more active. We mainly practiced transitions, half-halts and my aids. All very positive and I can’t wait for my next lesson in 2 weeks time. Thank you so much for sharing your lessons online! X
Give my best to Spider, I hope he's well and back in commission soon! That second tip is the one that finally helped me stop gripping up in my thigh, the stepping- my instructor didn't use the sand analogy, but she told me to step into each stirrup, and it really worked! Now if I could figure out my wonky right leg- my right foot will slide forward in the stirrup or will try to twist into the outside edge of my foot, my left side is absolutely beautiful, everything just falls right into place, and I NEVER have the issue of losing proper placement in the stirrup with it, I don't LOSE the right one so often now, it just gets in the wrong place and for some reason that right leg also wants to go back too far- left leg sits chilly like a pro, it's driving me insane because I can't give aids when I need to because that right leg will be useless with the stirrup misplaced, it's hard to explain - I know there is less weight in my right leg, I can feel that much, but why the foot and ankle won't align properly is beyond me- I do have a large bunion on that foot, and some nerve damage from liver failure (long story, haha) so maybe those things factor in? It's really driving me mad, everything is coming together very nicely, except for that darn leg! That sand analogy was brilliant, very similar to something I saw in Centered Riding! I love your videos! My best again to Spider! Thank you!
Hi thank you for this! Question: when I canter and my horse tries to break to trot, I’ve been told to squeeze him up with my thighs. Any advice on this so I don’t have to grip?
I wondered if anyone would notice that 😂😂😂. I cut out where Grayson was trying to mount Weasel and biting his butt! Weasel is like .... 'why did I get left babysitting the kids? They're not even mine!" lol
I love your videos and I'm really excited to try out this method. 😊 I was wondering if you had anything for a horse that doesn't pick up the Canter immediately and for somebody who loses their stirrups while trying to pick up the?
I've had a problem with them being too short and told I am in a chair position and going down too long and losing them. I like the bit about having them fall at the ankle. I will try that!
It was my pleasure to make it for you. It is such a common problem and in asking you have helped others out so thank you 🙂. Make sure you come back and tell me how you go
Hiii hope you’re doing great! Just a quick update here shortening my stirrups is what helped me the most with not losing my stirrups anymore. it was very effective because it gave me more control and in the mean time i was able to have more balance and also focus on the movement thank you sm again your tips were very helpful 🙏🏻💖 best wishes to you 🥰
Oh, I love that live chat ... it was so nice having the quick chat with those of you that commented. I need to make a longer video so we have more time 😆
@@BasicHorseTraining I am looking forward to it! 😁 Next weekend or next week sometime should work for me. I’ll message you and see if we can find another day. Give Spider some extra scratches for me, would ya?
On your mailing list so excited..away to practise today's lesson tomorrow.I get on ok with my stirrups josie but sometimes i allow my weight in my feet across stirrup bar to displace outwards slightly to below where my pnky toes join feet, this is comfortable but probably not correct so I was wondering if my weight across my sole in stirrups is evenly balanced should my toes face forward,slightly out or slightly in..my feet stay in the stirrups fine but want to know that they are position correctly across the stirrup bar squidgy sand description is great for feel but where are my toes directing.I also practise r a lot without stirrups so my 2nd question is how long should horse and rider do this forstirrups in training arena so my balance is good and my stirrups are secure when in positioncan you guide me on
Hi it me again sorry about my incomplete last comment at the end ,too excited. I just wanted to know how long should horse and rider practise without stirrups..Thank you Josie.xx
I’m tech impaired, lol, I can’t figure out where to look to send you my email? I didn’t see a link “down below”. Even though I don’t ride “English” I get a lot out of your videos. Thanks!
I put the link in the description of the video - that is under the video. If you watch on a mobile phone you have to expand the box under the video. I couldn't find it for a while either lol. I will add them here for you . Membership Site: www.bht.horse/academywaitlist 3 Principles Guide: basichorsetraining.com/3-principles/
i have the problem of losing my stirrups in canter because im completely relaxed is this because of too long stirrups or that i might not have weight in them?i dont have the problem of losing them in rising canter (excuse my bad use of words i dont know what most horse things are called in english)
I have been told to grip with my thighs to hold on to the horse. It makes sense that as I tense my thighs my seat raises. How do I hold on if I don't grip.
That actually depends on quite a few factors. I won’t go into them here but I will do a video on that. Aim to keep them quite even when the horse is going straight as the change in weight is only slight anyway
Thank you very much for the quick reply Josie! I enjoy your videos and love putting them to use when I ride. I must say most of the cantering I do is on a circle so that I know that I have the correct lead and have a focus of where I’m going while cantering. I only have open paddocks (large open) or a very small round yard. I ride in the open paddocks 90% of the time. I do feel they rush when I go straight as opposed to a circle is a bit more controlled.
Oh my god my instructor always told me the opposite to squeeze the horse with my thighs and legs to hold on. But your saying that our legs/thighs should be relaxed. I fell off recently during canter and I don’t know why.
Hi! I feel like i can’t relax my thighs if i have to hold with my lower legs to keep them stable. BUT, if i don’t hold with my lower legs, i will pop out of my saddle (actually, i do pop out even with my lower legs held tight). Please help🙏
Hi, don't think of it as "holding yourself" with your thighs or lower legs. If your heels are directly below you (and pointed down) Imagine your weight pushing down through into your ankles. Like you're doing a squat position. This is now you should ride your rising trot. For your canter, it's a similar concept. When you're in lightseat don't try to hold your body with your thighs. Instead try to balance on your stirrups like you're in a squat. If you balance on your stirrups, every step your horse takes will drive your heels further down and this will help you to stay firmly on
Josie, when you relax your thighs or take them away just a little, do you feel like you slide a little in that moment? I do a little bit and then my coach says my legs start to swing. Any tips for this?
I don't feel like I slide because I'm moving with the horse. Watch this and see if it helps ... th-cam.com/video/sV15zgxPGVI/w-d-xo.html try this one too th-cam.com/video/_UNLsEL6GTM/w-d-xo.html
I always rode bareback in my younger days, cantering with loose legs and balance. I truly struggled with losing stirrups in a canter under saddle. It is weird huh? Still prefer bareback, but it isn’t proper riding.
My feet move too much.... its like they swing along with my body movement and feels almost impossible to just keep them still and under the horse with heels down...
I was forever losing my stirrup in canter when I started riding. These two tips helped me the most and I hope they help you. 🙂
That happend to me
I quit using my stirrups for a year. I rode without them and my leg seemed to grow 2 feet longer. My posting really improved, and I learned to use different muscles to stay on. It was scary at first, and I was really sore in the upper inner thigh, but gradually those muscles strengthened and I learned to use those muscles in the half halt and halt without having to use the rein. It really makes you post forward rather than "up". When I went back to stirrups, they stayed on.
Thank you for this video. This is a huge problem for me. When I go into the counter, usually it’s okay, the fear of falling takes over and I tighten up.
If cantering is new that that’s totally normal! That happened to me then my horse would come back to a trot, trust me the more you do it the better you get.
Spot on! I had the problem as well for a long time! Shortened stirrups and put more weight in them. Never lose them now. When people emulate dressage riders they always think they need long stirrups. Also taking thigh off freed my horse so much. Very useful video!
💕
Thank you! I wish my dad knew how hard horse riding really is, we have to concentrate on so many things at once. This is going to help me so much❤❤
Scrunched toes! No one talks about that I figured on my own.. once you relax the toes seat instantly improves.. thank YOU
Happy to help!
As a 12 year old I fell of a horse. Right after I watched a few of ur canter videos I immediately got better and now I’m top in my class thank u very much!!! ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
That is awesome!
Kudos to you for getting back to riding 👏
Thank you, this was very helpful. I ride two completely different horses and I have had trouble keeping my stirrups in the canter for the more forward one. Over the past year I have gotten much more balanced in my position, and the less forward horse I've been able to ride beautifully.
I do love the way this lady describes things and sooo helpful!! I am so appreciative of these videos Xx
I loved these tips, they were a fresh way of looking at a well worn topic!
Glad you like them!
Thank you for this, I am getting my first horse next week. I have been riding most of my life, but this so helpful 🐴
Have fun!
So very interesting. I have a very sensitive horse too and I am just starting to learn the canter too. Thank you - I have to try these tips in my next lesson.
I really love your content! Do you maybe also have any tips on stopping with stiffening up while cantering? I can't seem to sit and start bouncing... It also depends on the horse im riding
tips for not falling out of canter please!
Thank you you are such a good teacher
Thanks Josie. I shall try this out in my next lesson - “open, squish!” I’ll let you know how I get on. 🙏
Make sure you do 😊
@@BasicHorseTraining I had a super lesson today using the open and squish movements. Before doing this, I practiced riding without stirrups at walk for the first part of the lesson, and could feel that I was sitting much deeper in the saddle and my legs lengthened. I felt very balanced and my horse felt more forward going rather than hard work to motivate. I think the open/squish had a huge impact on my horse being more active. We mainly practiced transitions, half-halts and my aids. All very positive and I can’t wait for my next lesson in 2 weeks time. Thank you so much for sharing your lessons online! X
Give my best to Spider, I hope he's well and back in commission soon!
That second tip is the one that finally helped me stop gripping up in my thigh, the stepping- my instructor didn't use the sand analogy, but she told me to step into each stirrup, and it really worked!
Now if I could figure out my wonky right leg- my right foot will slide forward in the stirrup or will try to twist into the outside edge of my foot, my left side is absolutely beautiful, everything just falls right into place, and I NEVER have the issue of losing proper placement in the stirrup with it, I don't LOSE the right one so often now, it just gets in the wrong place and for some reason that right leg also wants to go back too far- left leg sits chilly like a pro, it's driving me insane because I can't give aids when I need to because that right leg will be useless with the stirrup misplaced, it's hard to explain - I know there is less weight in my right leg, I can feel that much, but why the foot and ankle won't align properly is beyond me- I do have a large bunion on that foot, and some nerve damage from liver failure (long story, haha) so maybe those things factor in?
It's really driving me mad, everything is coming together very nicely, except for that darn leg!
That sand analogy was brilliant, very similar to something I saw in Centered Riding!
I love your videos!
My best again to Spider!
Thank you!
Thank you I will send them on to Spider and spend some time thinking on your issue and see if I can think of something that might help 🙂
@@BasicHorseTraining You are so kind to take the time, thank you so much!
Thank you so much. I needed this information. I now realize that it's the saddle! It's too bulky. Thank you!
I'm definitely going to try this " Open, squish, Open squish"😊
Hi thank you for this! Question: when I canter and my horse tries to break to trot, I’ve been told to squeeze him up with my thighs. Any advice on this so I don’t have to grip?
OMG!
I love all the action from the spectators in this one Josie!😂
I wondered if anyone would notice that 😂😂😂. I cut out where Grayson was trying to mount Weasel and biting his butt! Weasel is like .... 'why did I get left babysitting the kids? They're not even mine!" lol
@@BasicHorseTraining Hahaha lol 😂
Sometimes i lose my stirrup(only one)in rising trot do you have tips for that
I love your videos and I'm really excited to try out this method. 😊 I was wondering if you had anything for a horse that doesn't pick up the Canter immediately and for somebody who loses their stirrups while trying to pick up the?
Also my feet like slide into the stirrups and the front of the stirrups liks dig into my leg any tips to help that
I've had a problem with them being too short and told I am in a chair position and going down too long and losing them. I like the bit about having them fall at the ankle. I will try that!
Omg thank you so muchhhhhh I appreciate this video 🥰🥰💖 I’ll definitely put what you said into practice😍🌸 you’re the best 💖💖💖
It was my pleasure to make it for you. It is such a common problem and in asking you have helped others out so thank you 🙂. Make sure you come back and tell me how you go
@@BasicHorseTraining of course! And I absolutely will 😊
Hiii hope you’re doing great! Just a quick update here shortening my stirrups is what helped me the most with not losing my stirrups anymore. it was very effective because it gave me more control and in the mean time i was able to have more balance and also focus on the movement thank you sm again your tips were very helpful 🙏🏻💖 best wishes to you 🥰
Hi Josie, Perfect timing for me on this video. I will have to watch it a few times.I do think my right strap is too long…
Take your leathers and stirrups off the saddle Cheryl and hold them together. You will see if one is longer than the other 🙂
Oh, I love that live chat ... it was so nice having the quick chat with those of you that commented. I need to make a longer video so we have more time 😆
Hi!
I had to put the phone down but by the time I came back, the live was over😔
Bugga!! We will get a chance to chat soon 🤗
@@BasicHorseTraining I am looking forward to it! 😁
Next weekend or next week sometime should work for me. I’ll message you and see if we can find another day. Give Spider some extra scratches for me, would ya?
I will 🙂
Here for it!
I can’t see this comment on the live chat ☹️
@@BasicHorseTraining
It was still counting down when I left my comment an actual video hadn’t started yet.
Loved this one Josie..just missed live chat , brilliant as always wish you and your horses the best...keep going.xx
On your mailing list so excited..away to practise today's lesson tomorrow.I get on ok with my stirrups josie but sometimes i allow my weight in my feet across stirrup bar to displace outwards slightly to below where my pnky toes join feet, this is comfortable but probably not correct so I was wondering if my weight across my sole in stirrups is evenly balanced should my toes face forward,slightly out or slightly in..my feet stay in the stirrups fine but want to know that they are position correctly across the stirrup bar squidgy sand description is great for feel but where are my toes directing.I also practise r a lot without stirrups so my 2nd question is how long should horse and rider do this forstirrups in training arena so my balance is good and my stirrups are secure when in positioncan you guide me on
Hi it me again sorry about my incomplete last comment at the end ,too excited. I just wanted to know how long should horse and rider practise without stirrups..Thank you Josie.xx
I’m tech impaired, lol, I can’t figure out where to look to send you my email? I didn’t see a link “down below”. Even though I don’t ride “English” I get a lot out of your videos. Thanks!
I put the link in the description of the video - that is under the video. If you watch on a mobile phone you have to expand the box under the video. I couldn't find it for a while either lol. I will add them here for you .
Membership Site: www.bht.horse/academywaitlist
3 Principles Guide: basichorsetraining.com/3-principles/
thank you!
No worries!
Have you got any tips on how to not get that horrible stitch pain when cantering? That’s the issue I’m dealing with right now
Sorry I don't have anything for that.
@@BasicHorseTraining oh, that’s okay, I’m actually starting to figure out how to not get it, thank you anyway!
@@imaghost2138 Oh, good for you! I'm going to be taking lessons soon, did you collect any useful tips on how to avoid that?
i have the problem of losing my stirrups in canter because im completely relaxed is this because of too long stirrups or that i might not have weight in them?i dont have the problem of losing them in rising canter (excuse my bad use of words i dont know what most horse things are called in english)
I have been told to grip with my thighs to hold on to the horse. It makes sense that as I tense my thighs my seat raises. How do I hold on if I don't grip.
Should the weight be more on an inside stirrup than an outside or vice versa or should it be equal?
That actually depends on quite a few factors. I won’t go into them here but I will do a video on that. Aim to keep them quite even when the horse is going straight as the change in weight is only slight anyway
Thank you very much for the quick reply Josie! I enjoy your videos and love putting them to use when I ride. I must say most of the cantering I do is on a circle so that I know that I have the correct lead and have a focus of where I’m going while cantering. I only have open paddocks (large open) or a very small round yard. I ride in the open paddocks 90% of the time. I do feel they rush when I go straight as opposed to a circle is a bit more controlled.
Oh my god my instructor always told me the opposite to squeeze the horse with my thighs and legs to hold on. But your saying that our legs/thighs should be relaxed. I fell off recently during canter and I don’t know why.
Hi! I feel like i can’t relax my thighs if i have to hold with my lower legs to keep them stable. BUT, if i don’t hold with my lower legs, i will pop out of my saddle (actually, i do pop out even with my lower legs held tight).
Please help🙏
Hi, don't think of it as "holding yourself" with your thighs or lower legs. If your heels are directly below you (and pointed down) Imagine your weight pushing down through into your ankles. Like you're doing a squat position. This is now you should ride your rising trot. For your canter, it's a similar concept. When you're in lightseat don't try to hold your body with your thighs. Instead try to balance on your stirrups like you're in a squat. If you balance on your stirrups, every step your horse takes will drive your heels further down and this will help you to stay firmly on
Whenever I do canter my legs will go upside so what should I do ???
Josie, when you relax your thighs or take them away just a little, do you feel like you slide a little in that moment? I do a little bit and then my coach says my legs start to swing. Any tips for this?
I don't feel like I slide because I'm moving with the horse. Watch this and see if it helps ...
th-cam.com/video/sV15zgxPGVI/w-d-xo.html
try this one too
th-cam.com/video/_UNLsEL6GTM/w-d-xo.html
I always rode bareback in my younger days, cantering with loose legs and balance. I truly struggled with losing stirrups in a canter under saddle. It is weird huh? Still prefer bareback, but it isn’t proper riding.
My feet move too much.... its like they swing along with my body movement and feels almost impossible to just keep them still and under the horse with heels down...
Open squish wiggle. Open squid wiggle. Open squid wiggle. THANKS. Breathe relax enjoy 😊
Idk why but I'm better at getting my stirrups back while cantering than while walking
Don’t get the ‘squish’-analogy…
Squishing sand with your butt or under your toes?