Ken, thank you for explaining things so clearly. I have been riding since I was 4 years old, I’m 59 now. I was thrown two years ago and suffered 2 compression fractures T11-12. I returned to riding 6 months after my injury, however, only trail riding. I now have a two yo filly I just sent to a trainer to start, and a three yo mare started by a great reined cow horse trainer. Arena work was something I did a lot before breaking my back, but I am having a very hard time getting myself in rhythm with my mare at the lope. I am going to follow your recommendations to improve my seat, body position and my hands. I will return with updates about my progress. My goal is to get my riding to a place where I can take my mare to ranch versatility shows, and maybe reining, but right now I just want that awesome feeling back I would get when I could lope with my horse as a rider, not a passenger. Thank you again, Tracie
Thank you Ken for this video. Everyone has told me I should be very light in the stirrups and that I should feel I could slide my feet out of the stirrups at any gait but I bounce all over. I remember from a my childhood to put weight in my stirrups and not bouncing. Thanks for confirming what I believe was my theory to riding a horse and now will work on this on every ride
I have been riding for 52 years and riding never hurts! (I am almost 62 now) I have been using Spanish and Portuguese sadlles for 22 years now and they are perfect, also for the horse, if they are not too heavy (large saddles are better than smaller, they are longer, the weight of the rider is on the larger area). Also YOUR riding tradition in USA comes from Spain and Portugal, as you certainly know. So Iberian "vaqueros" are the original cowboys. I have practised also Asian "dzjigitovka", "cossack riding", which is known in USA as "rodeo trick riding". So all the riding skills come from Europe and Asia.
Thank you, thank you, thank you. I absolutely needed this video. I recently got two Walkers that were trained for western. They were more trained than I am so I am learning western. When we turned they will trip. Since they both do it, it must be me. I think that picking up my inside shoulder may help fix this problem. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you! I have a terrible time riding with stirrups. I always used to ride bareback. I don't bounce at all bareback, but have a terrible time in a saddle. This explains why.
Try removing the stirrups from your saddle and practive riding that way I've always been told not to put your weight in the stirrups and have the ball of your foot on the stirrup, not pushed up tp the heel like he does. Tbh I have doubts about how he's claiming to ride as having bad balance can be caused from putting all your weight in the stirrups imstead of balancing like you should.
thanks, I need to practice riding with my feet deeper in the stirrup I spent a lot of years riding english. I need to forget that I also will start raising my shoulder. good points to add to my routine.
Thanks for the video. I have an important question: how long can you sit in the saddle and pull your heel down in this way, using the technique you show? I now have a personal problem: I learned to ride long distances on the condition that we took the landing in the saddle as in dressage. At that moment, I was leaning on my knee in the saddle and could gallop only in a standing position. Then in another school I was taught to sit as you show, I leaned on my heel and not on my knee. and when I drove 25 miles, my legs and calf muscles hurt a lot. is this normal?
If you don’t want to ride with your foot all the way in a stirrup don’t ride an oxbow. That’s what I ride and that’s what a lot of cow hands like to ride when trotting a lot of miles outside and yes he’s riding them correctly! Educate yourself before looking like a dunbass!
Hi Ken, I am new to horses, and the horse I rode recently had sort of a pain face when I looked at the photos that were taken. I beleive he is older, and I am new. I do give him quite the work with my reins and the squeezing my legs, and sometimes i cant decide what i want to tell him. I'm not sure if he is stressed and confused, or in pain.
You know Ken I’ve been a horseman for quite awhile and if there is one thing I’ve learned is u can always learn more or something different I’ve learned quite a few things from you over the years. Thank you. God bless 🙏
Ken as i watch the video and see you turn your horse, doesn't look like you are neck reigning the horse but rather mule reigning him. am i missing something?
This is chair seat riding… dressage is riding from the center aka your core two different styles of riding. His style and seat is for trail riding long rides and control under sketchy situations like spooking, bolting or long hours in the saddle. Centered riding is for precise athletic arena riding aka dancing with your horse.
So basically I need a horse learning to ride different horses means to understand the horse each horse per say are like people I must be a fast learner per horse so ask questions and do research ok
Great video! I liked your comment on the sewing thread holding your hands together! I tell myself when riding that I am using a plastic straw for a bit and sewing thread for reins. The goal for lightness is to not bend the straw or break the thread! Of course, I have yet to attempt this, but it is a great reminder to use light reins! I am definitely going to use the shoulder up inside and shoulder down outside tip Thanks! Kevin
Should your feet be that far through the stirrups with the heels of your boots touching the stirrups?! What do you mean you keep your shoulder out of your horse's way?
Oh you are remarkable! You have such a dry sense of humor ! I love it! Burst out laughing and felt so good! I ride as child and learned English saddle. Live in Mo Ozarks so 99 percent riding on Western. All I learned to do was hand onto saddle bar , press little legs right , did keep hands low but bounced all way down trail! I could never get a rythm or a post . Had horse try rub me off on barb eire fence, sane one later turned off path and rode through huge brush and woods and I hung on regardless. I was a little 95 pound 12 year old and jumped off that hirse a pinto , after he deliberately ran away with me in brush and I grabbed a switch off a tree and switched him screaming at him standing on ground switching on neck!! Have no idea where I saw or learned that but that horse never gave me one problem after that!! I was alone all time I rode him on 150 acres at private girls school I attended. But no English saddles! No one even knew I walked from home.a mile away and saddled him up and rode. I buried my face down in that pintos mane when he ran through all the overhanging limbs and brush ir I would have died Then at a stupid poorly run riding stable ibwas 16 with group friends to go riding down atvLake and woods in Ozarks. Idiot guide asked who had any riding experience and I was only one ibe! He put me in a two year old half broke horse who ran away with me through woods heading for lake! Friend of mine rode very fast padt me and my horse bolted! My feet went through stirrups in tennis shoes! My little hands and and arms were pulling so hard on leash in had sliced broken sling on palms. I againlaud head down in mane because I saw he was on gravel and jumped into lakes he was swimming and I thought in my panic I had bith feet out of stirrups but one left in. I fell tobside being dragged out into lake and horse swimming and I felt his back hood glide through my waist length blond hairs he was so close to my head! He slowed down and treaded water shaking all over. I managed to pull self up on side of saddle screaming for help with my leg up in stirrup. The stupid male friend who sped past me in woods was on back laughing!! Finally he realized ibwas in dire trouble and slowly swam out to horse peddling around and pulled my shoe off and my foot slipped out of stirrp! The horse then took off and swam out to middle of lake in big circle! Guide finally rode up and swam out there and got him in. He insisted I mount his nice calm well trained horse to ride back soaking wet or I would probably never ride again. I was trembling all over and friend hugging me tightly feeling guilty for speeding past me in first place. I did get on guidsbhirse but fekt terrified. I rode again but in English and controlled environment. Wanted a horse sll my life and still now in 70’s want to ride again and looking for a good stable that would allow me at this age. I would love to ride ir own a Gypsie Vanner but not expensive over the top one. Life is winding down for me now as I also been battleing cancer for 8 years. But maby I’ll be blessed and at least sit on a Gypsie and bare back would be heavenly with my face buried in its mane kissing and careering ut. Wish I could take my last breath thatvwsy. Peace be with you .
Might be hard to get any work done alternating riding hands? Balance and stirrup length is key to riding safty, successfully and best for horse too. My opinion of course. Thanks for your videos I've enjoyed and agree with many of them.
I recently ordered your dvd. Just watching the u-tube videos has clarified many mistakes I am making as a new rider. I enjoyed your teaching technique and examples
I just tried your exercises and I can't believe the difference in my riding My bouncing stopped and my mares turn were so much better No one never told me to pick up.my shoulders what a difference. I am showing ranch classes and want to look and perform better. Thank you for bottom of.my heart.
Hi Ken, many thanks for your (mostly😅,depending to my english Knowledge) simple explanations and valuable thoughts in the End. I love your kind of lessons and agree completely to your mind about soft hands. I live in Germany and thats why it is not so easy to meet you for a Riding training. That would be awesome ! Many Greets Werner
Hi Ken this is a great video, iv been working on this, been finding been bouncing too much riding break ins. Think might take my stirrups up tomorrow, loved the shoulder instructions, thanks love your work 🇳🇿
My father and his father trained horses to saddle for many yrs. My father is about to turn 95 this yr. He has always said if you are going to ride a horse, you ride a horse with the intent to stay in the saddle. If you only have the tips of your feet in the stirrup you will more than likely loose a stirup if you become unbalanced. If you do not have the instep of your foot over the base of support (the stirup) then how can you stay balanced. The instep of you foot is your point of balance when standing, if that is not directly under you when riding then you cannot be balanced in the saddle. You Need to make sure your stirup is big enough that your foot/boot can pull free.
Okay, not disagreeing with weight in the stirrup. But why are his feet jammed so far into those stirrups? Do people not get dragged anymore? Things have changed. When I learned to ride, you kept your stirrups on the back of the ball of the foot. All the way in is F'in dangerous. Also, if you can't keep your ass from flapping without stirrups, you need to turn off the camera and go back to basics.
This was so helpful, Ken! Thanks for breaking down these basics!
Ken, thank you for explaining things so clearly. I have been riding since I was 4 years old, I’m 59 now. I was thrown two years ago and suffered 2 compression fractures T11-12. I returned to riding 6 months after my injury, however, only trail riding. I now have a two yo filly I just sent to a trainer to start, and a three yo mare started by a great reined cow horse trainer. Arena work was something I did a lot before breaking my back, but I am having a very hard time getting myself in rhythm with my mare at the lope. I am going to follow your recommendations to improve my seat, body position and my hands. I will return with updates about my progress. My goal is to get my riding to a place where I can take my mare to ranch versatility shows, and maybe reining, but right now I just want that awesome feeling back I would get when I could lope with my horse as a rider, not a passenger. Thank you again, Tracie
The fact that it is here for free is just something. Thank you so much, I'll be practicing that next time I ride.
Thank you Ken for this video. Everyone has told me I should be very light in the stirrups and that I should feel I could slide my feet out of the stirrups at any gait but I bounce all over. I remember from a my childhood to put weight in my stirrups and not bouncing. Thanks for confirming what I believe was my theory to riding a horse and now will work on this on every ride
I have been riding for 52 years and riding never hurts! (I am almost 62 now) I have been using Spanish and Portuguese sadlles for 22 years now and they are perfect, also for the horse, if they are not too heavy (large saddles are better than smaller, they are longer, the weight of the rider is on the larger area). Also YOUR riding tradition in USA comes from Spain and Portugal, as you certainly know. So Iberian "vaqueros" are the original cowboys. I have practised also Asian "dzjigitovka", "cossack riding", which is known in USA as "rodeo trick riding". So all the riding skills come from Europe and Asia.
What a Video for Improving my skills and thoughts about better riding. Thank you very much for your explanation and helpful Tipps!, God bless you !
There is no "god", we are creators of our own life. Jesus was a Buddhist. Greetings from Finland, the land of the shamans!
Thank you, thank you, thank you. I absolutely needed this video.
I recently got two Walkers that were trained for western. They were more trained than I am so I am learning western.
When we turned they will trip. Since they both do it, it must be me. I think that picking up my inside shoulder may help fix this problem.
Thank you for sharing.
Thank you! I have a terrible time riding with stirrups. I always used to ride bareback. I don't bounce at all bareback, but have a terrible time in a saddle. This explains why.
Try removing the stirrups from your saddle and practive riding that way
I've always been told not to put your weight in the stirrups and have the ball of your foot on the stirrup, not pushed up tp the heel like he does.
Tbh I have doubts about how he's claiming to ride as having bad balance can be caused from putting all your weight in the stirrups imstead of balancing like you should.
thanks, I need to practice riding with my feet deeper in the stirrup I spent a lot of years riding english. I need to forget that I also will start raising my shoulder. good points to add to my routine.
Thanks for the video. I have an important question: how long can you sit in the saddle and pull your heel down in this way, using the technique you show? I now have a personal problem: I learned to ride long distances on the condition that we took the landing in the saddle as in dressage. At that moment, I was leaning on my knee in the saddle and could gallop only in a standing position. Then in another school I was taught to sit as you show, I leaned on my heel and not on my knee. and when I drove 25 miles, my legs and calf muscles hurt a lot. is this normal?
Any advice for how to handle a ride on a troubled horse that over reaches down basically taking himself off the bit and just starts walking backwards?
If you don’t want to ride with your foot all the way in a stirrup don’t ride an oxbow. That’s what I ride and that’s what a lot of cow hands like to ride when trotting a lot of miles outside and yes he’s riding them correctly! Educate yourself before looking like a dunbass!
I wanna learn to ride a horse may have to be a pony cause im height 4'11 lol n im afraid of heights😂😅
Priceless knowledge and insights and always great presentation ❤ 🙏
absolutely love your videos! Im a newbie at 59! and you are helping tons! thank you
Hi Ken, I am new to horses, and the horse I rode recently had sort of a pain face when I looked at the photos that were taken. I beleive he is older, and I am new. I do give him quite the work with my reins and the squeezing my legs, and sometimes i cant decide what i want to tell him. I'm not sure if he is stressed and confused, or in pain.
You know Ken I’ve been a horseman for quite awhile and if there is one thing I’ve learned is u can always learn more or something different I’ve learned quite a few things from you over the years. Thank you. God bless 🙏
Ken as i watch the video and see you turn your horse, doesn't look like you are neck reigning the horse but rather mule reigning him. am i missing something?
This is chair seat riding… dressage is riding from the center aka your core two different styles of riding. His style and seat is for trail riding long rides and control under sketchy situations like spooking, bolting or long hours in the saddle. Centered riding is for precise athletic arena riding aka dancing with your horse.
Ken are you neck reining or mule reining when you are turning that horse? Looks like mule reining? thought western riding used neck reining
So basically I need a horse learning to ride different horses means to understand the horse each horse per say are like people I must be a fast learner per horse so ask questions and do research ok
Great video! I liked your comment on the sewing thread holding your hands together! I tell myself when riding that I am using a plastic straw for a bit and sewing thread for reins. The goal for lightness is to not bend the straw or break the thread! Of course, I have yet to attempt this, but it is a great reminder to use light reins! I am definitely going to use the shoulder up inside and shoulder down outside tip
Thanks!
Kevin
Let's talk about those spurs dude. and the bit. *Shortcuts*
This is awesome information. Thank you Sir
Should your feet be that far through the stirrups with the heels of your boots touching the stirrups?!
What do you mean you keep your shoulder out of your horse's way?
Inside shoulder up
Those are bow stirrups which is ok with these feet well not get stuck
Oh you are remarkable! You have such a dry sense of humor ! I love it! Burst out laughing and felt so good! I ride as child and learned English saddle. Live in Mo Ozarks so 99 percent riding on Western. All I learned to do was hand onto saddle bar , press little legs right , did keep hands low but bounced all way down trail! I could never get a rythm or a post . Had horse try rub me off on barb eire fence, sane one later turned off path and rode through huge brush and woods and I hung on regardless. I was a little 95 pound 12 year old and jumped off that hirse a pinto , after he deliberately ran away with me in brush and I grabbed a switch off a tree and switched him screaming at him standing on ground switching on neck!! Have no idea where I saw or learned that but that horse never gave me one problem after that!! I was alone all time I rode him on 150 acres at private girls school I attended. But no English saddles! No one even knew I walked from home.a mile away and saddled him up and rode. I buried my face down in that pintos mane when he ran through all the overhanging limbs and brush ir I would have died Then at a stupid poorly run riding stable ibwas 16 with group friends to go riding down atvLake and woods in Ozarks. Idiot guide asked who had any riding experience and I was only one ibe! He put me in a two year old half broke horse who ran away with me through woods heading for lake! Friend of mine rode very fast padt me and my horse bolted! My feet went through stirrups in tennis shoes! My little hands and and arms were pulling so hard on leash in had sliced broken sling on palms. I againlaud head down in mane because I saw he was on gravel and jumped into lakes he was swimming and I thought in my panic I had bith feet out of stirrups but one left in. I fell tobside being dragged out into lake and horse swimming and I felt his back hood glide through my waist length blond hairs he was so close to my head! He slowed down and treaded water shaking all over. I managed to pull self up on side of saddle screaming for help with my leg up in stirrup. The stupid male friend who sped past me in woods was on back laughing!! Finally he realized ibwas in dire trouble and slowly swam out to horse peddling around and pulled my shoe off and my foot slipped out of stirrp! The horse then took off and swam out to middle of lake in big circle! Guide finally rode up and swam out there and got him in. He insisted I mount his nice calm well trained horse to ride back soaking wet or I would probably never ride again. I was trembling all over and friend hugging me tightly feeling guilty for speeding past me in first place. I did get on guidsbhirse but fekt terrified. I rode again but in English and controlled environment. Wanted a horse sll my life and still now in 70’s want to ride again and looking for a good stable that would allow me at this age. I would love to ride ir own a Gypsie Vanner but not expensive over the top one. Life is winding down for me now as I also been battleing cancer for 8 years. But maby I’ll be blessed and at least sit on a Gypsie and bare back would be heavenly with my face buried in its mane kissing and careering ut. Wish I could take my last breath thatvwsy. Peace be with you .
Seems like I have to watch this video every 2 weeks. I still need to drill this into myself. After 40 years, you’d think…..
Might be hard to get any work done alternating riding hands? Balance and stirrup length is key to riding safty, successfully and best for horse too. My opinion of course. Thanks for your videos I've enjoyed and agree with many of them.
Thank you for this exceptional video. Gave me excellent things to work on!
I recently ordered your dvd. Just watching the u-tube videos has clarified many mistakes I am making as a new rider. I enjoyed your teaching technique and examples
❤ Thank you for the valuable information and demonstrations! These will help me ride so much better!!!
I just tried your exercises and I can't believe the difference in my riding
My bouncing stopped and my mares turn were so much better
No one never told me to pick up.my shoulders what a difference. I am showing ranch classes and want to look and perform better. Thank you for bottom of.my heart.
Hi Ken, many thanks for your (mostly😅,depending to my english Knowledge) simple explanations and valuable thoughts in the End. I love your kind of lessons and agree completely to your mind about soft hands. I live in Germany and thats why it is not so easy to meet you for a Riding training. That would be awesome ! Many Greets Werner
This was a very helpful and informative video for a newbie like me.
Hi Ken this is a great video, iv been working on this, been finding been bouncing too much riding break ins. Think might take my stirrups up tomorrow, loved the shoulder instructions, thanks love your work 🇳🇿
Outstanding information! Will start working on the changes tomorrow!
I’m learning how to ride I’m up to trotting so at my next lesson I will ride with shorter stirrups in hanks
I think you just helped me realize why my horse dips inside when loping. I will remember the inside shoulder up!
Hi Ken I just found you last night. I think you r amazing
What a great horse ❤
Defo need work on my shoulders and hands, and seat/balance
One of best training videos I’ve seen! Thank you!
Great video- thanks for the tips Ken! What kind of saddle pad is that?
Man that was a good practical lesson. Thanks Ken.
Wowww I love your way to teach and the final words❤
thank you so much for the very informative video.
Great instruction to stay balanced and centered. I needed this refresher course!. Eyes up does wonders!
Incredibly helpful, thank you
awesome content. thank you, learned a lot
You are an amazing rider. Thanks for the wisdom in the end.
Thank you! Love this! Going to work on these tomorrow!!
This is great content
I love this video
This is great! Thank you!!
Great lessons. Thanks ❤
Best video to the subject.
Nice video
Excellent lessons
Best video on the subject bar none. Democrats in our state are trying to take away the right to own horses , I just shake my head
Which state and what reason(s) are the giving? Do they hate horses and want them all put down?
😂 stop fearmongering and being afraid. That sounds just weird. Repubs and Dems of all stripes own and ride horses 😂
Thank You Ken
Excellent!
looks like your feet are way too far in the stirrup
That's what I thought
I think his feet are pushed too far into the stirrup too. Takes away his credibility on this topic IMO.
@@JerelynDuncan yep.. agreed
My father and his father trained horses to saddle for many yrs. My father is about to turn 95 this yr. He has always said if you are going to ride a horse, you ride a horse with the intent to stay in the saddle. If you only have the tips of your feet in the stirrup you will more than likely loose a stirup if you become unbalanced. If you do not have the instep of your foot over the base of support (the stirup) then how can you stay balanced. The instep of you foot is your point of balance when standing, if that is not directly under you when riding then you cannot be balanced in the saddle. You Need to make sure your stirup is big enough that your foot/boot can pull free.
It's because he's riding oxbow stirrups.
Okay, not disagreeing with weight in the stirrup. But why are his feet jammed so far into those stirrups? Do people not get dragged anymore? Things have changed. When I learned to ride, you kept your stirrups on the back of the ball of the foot. All the way in is F'in dangerous. Also, if you can't keep your ass from flapping without stirrups, you need to turn off the camera and go back to basics.