Bareback Mount For The Rest Of Us - Jump & Cast

I will be getting back to part three of my reader question series this week, but first I would like to add a second Fredi Bareback Video Clip.

I refer to this style of mounting as "Beginner" but it's not beginner rider, but beginner bareback rider. It is the way I mount bareback, it is much easier than the Native American Style mount. Until you can mount that way this is our alternative!



To clarify what Fredi is doing in the Video:

1. Place your left hand on the reins and horse's mane. Grab some of that neck fat too, it helps and makes it easier on the horse.
2. Place your right hand with fingers spread apart on the lowest part of the horse's back.
3. Jump straight up and a little forward pushing with your fingers to lift. (Practice this jump a few times before you attempt to get on the horse's back if necessary.) Aim high, to the top you your legs so your thighs are resting on the horse, not your stomach. You will notice when most people mount bareback they aim too low and then struggle to get their leg over the horse. They jump only to their stomach.
   
4. Cast your hips and legs away from the horse then swing your right leg over the horse to sit on his back. You can see how Fredi casts really well in the video.

I would like to add, you can do this from a mounting block until you build your strength and coordination, you don't need to do it from the ground right away. I usually stand my horse at the bottom of a hill with me on the upside to make it easier for myself.

Next week, I will try and post a clip on how to spot someone to mount this way. It's a great way to learn when you have a spotter!

Deanna

Related Posts:
Bareback Blooper

Bareback Blooper

I wanted to get to the barn to do a couple of video clips of Fredi riding bareback before the baby comes and I don't have time or free hands to shoot a video.

Unfortunately, the horse was having a bad day today so Fredi had to keep doing this bareback mount over and over. This was about take 15 or 20 in a row, and he was starting to get tired. I thought it was cute so I would keep it and post it anyway. Sorry about my hideous laughter, but he almost wiped out as he pulled the horse forward and it cracked me up, so you may want to turn off the volume!

In this clip Fredi is demonstrating how to mount a horse Native American Style.
The key is to grab the mane and swing using momentum to get onto the horse. The only piece of equipment Fredi is really using is a roper rein and a halter. He is working toward bareback and bridleless and has already eliminated the bit and bridle. He didn't opt for a hackamore, because he is trying to go as natural as possible.

Have a laugh at our expense ;)

Deanna

Upward Transitions - Leg Aids

This is part two to the reader question...

For upward transitions does the rider use both legs together or left leg, right leg with motion of horse? Are the leg aids different for each gait or the same?

For an upward transition to the walk, jog, and trot, I will use both legs together. Two legs together will tell the horse to move forward and remain collected. The two legs together will encourage the horse to drop his head and round his back. Using one leg at a time will probably result in the horse being flat instead of round. Some horses are more prone to collection than others, that is why I say "probably".

With a lope or a canter, I will use my outside leg mainly.
I will move my outside leg slightly back when I ask for the lope or the canter. I will also use my inside leg as a brace to keep the horse from moving to the inside. I will just keep my inside leg next to the horse so that he knows I am not just asking him to move his hip to the inside when he strikes off at the lope or canter, but to move forward. You probably have seen horses that give trouble when being asked for a lope, they move off of the rail when the rider cues the lope. This is when the rider is allowing the horse to move sideways instead of forward. The rider's inside (brace) leg is a big help to keep the horse on the right track, forward.

The goal is that the horse drives his hock deep beneath him and does not throw his hock out behind him losing collection.

Deanna

Downward Tranisitions - Rein Aids

Recently I had a reader question from Christine on "Downward Transitions for Rein Aids". I really like answering reader questions. Many times I just do things, I know what I am doing but they are actions not put to words.

Hi Deanna,

Question. When performing a downward transition what are the specific rein aids?
1. Both reins together: squeezing reins simultaneously with slight resistance or
2. Gentle pull - pull back with both reins or
3. Pull back left rein then right rein or squeeze right rein then squeeze left rein. Please clarify.

Seat and legs are used; it's the rein aids I need assistance on.

Hi Christine,

Thanks for the great questions. I will break them down over the next few posts to give each one the attention they deserve.

With the reader questions I can really think about what I do step-by-step and put it into writing so keep those questions coming!

Transition- to go up or down in gate. From a halt to a walk, a walk to a jog, a canter to a halt, etc.

When performing a downward transition, I would prefer to only use a voice command, and a slight squeeze of both hands together on the reins. However, I say prefer, because first you have to train the horse to be able to transition that way.

So my answer to your three questions is yes. All three are correct and necessary; it just depends on the horse and where he is in his training.

Here is why:

1. When a horse is first learning to do a transition, I pull back on both reins together with slight resistance. I will also speak very quietly the gait I would like to transition down to as I do this. The reason I do it this way, is I want the horse to begin to transition downward and obtain some collection. I am not going for full collection during this transition because at this point in the horse’s training it’s just too much to ask. But I am thinking forward to complete collection.
2. If the horse is being very resistant (knowingly or unknowingly) to the little bit of collection I am asking him for I will pull him back with a bit more “holding”. Meaning I won’t release as quickly. I always offer a release as soon as the horse gives me what I am looking for, even if he only gives an inch, he has earned a release. Sometimes a horse can be released too quickly and didn’t get a chance to feel the collection he was being asked for. Sometimes gently holding the horse with your hands for a bit longer will help him understand and clarify what you are asking of him.
3. See-Sawing the reins
   Pulling right then left or squeezing right then left to help achieve complete collection when performing a downward transition. After my horse has learned to shift his weight rear-ward, and drop his head and give to the bit somewhat when I pull back on the reins I will then see-saw to put the finishing touches on the transition. It will all depend on the horse. I will pull right and left for a horse that is needs a bit more help, and squeeze right and left on the reins for a horse that has more understanding of what I am asking him to do.

Would you believe what comes next?

1. I go back to the original way I was training the horse to just slightly squeezing both reins together to collect the horse in a downward transition. The difference this time is my horse now gives me a different response. He will now collect very easily and correctly because he can understand what I want from that very subtle cue.
   

After that, just tune up the horse as necessary using the three different rein aids.

I would like to note to all the readers that I would always use my legs any time I use my hands on a horse. Any time I try and collect a horse I will give a gentle squeeze of both of my legs to help the horse round his back and drop his head. If I need to use more rein pressure, I will absolutely use more leg pressure too. Unless I am initiating a back up, I will always try and use my legs more than my hands with a horse because my goal is to have the lightest minimal cues possible.

I hope this helped clarify the use of rein aids for you in a downward transition!

Deanna

Related Posts
See-Saw That Head Down
Keeping The Horse Underneath You
Keeping The Horse Underneath You - Part Two

Blocker Tie Ring

It's not often that I find a "new" piece of horse equipment that I find so extraordinary but I was recently alerted to The Blocker Tie Ring. It's fantastic for training a horse that pulls back when tied.

Usually when I sack out a horse, I only ground tie him but with the Blocker Tie Ring you can safely tie the horse while you sack him out and teach him to stand comfortably tied at the same time. You don't have to worry about any more broken ties, halters, lead ropes, or worst of all a broken neck.

You can use the tie rings with a single tie, cross ties, or trailer ties. I think I need at least ten of them.

Check it out HERE.

Deanna

Stacy Westfall On The Ellen DeGeneres Show

Here is a wonderful clip of Stacy Westfall and her horse Roxy on the Ellen DeGeneres Show from back in March.

I have to admit, I have been a bit obsessed with riding bareback lately. I guess it comes from Fredi, whom has been doing all the riding and training since I have been unable ride. I live vicariously through him. I call him my "show pony". I am always showing him off, because I can't do anything myself these days. "Fredi, show my Dad how you stand up and walk on the horse's back..." They shake their heads and laugh with me. Or is it at me?

I love this video, it will bring a smile to your face and a tear to your eye. Well, it did mine and I'd like to think it's not just the pregnancy hormones ;)

Enjoy!

Deanna

Western Pleasure Critique – The Walk

This is Tori and her cute gelding Iza Hot Shot. This picture was taken at the NY State Fair in 2007, where she was showing him in Western Pleasure. You may remember this pair from the Showmanship Pivot Critique.

In a Western Pleasure Class, the horse is judged as opposed to the rider. Tori’s gelding is perfectly turned out, and I do like her choice in color for her clothing, it complements her horse well.

Even though this is not an equitation class where the rider is being judged, good equitation is always necessary to help the horse stay happy. A good Western Pleasure horse is a happy horse.

Notice the horse’s expression, he is slightly irritated. It appears Tori is asking him to move closer to the rail, and he would have preferred to stay where he was. What would help him to be more willing would be if Tori would turn out her stirrups. I’m sure she holds the proper position with her legs normally, but her show saddle appears to be a bit stiff, and it does not allow for her calves to be in contact with the horse’s sides as well as I would like.

The solution:
When the saddle is not in use, take a broomstick, turn out the stirrups, and break the fenders in to make your job easier when you are riding. If it is not a light oil saddle, you can wet the fenders before you turn them, but I would not suggest wetting the light oil because it would darken the leather. Instead you can oil the fenders with Bic4, or some other oil intended for light saddles to help condition the saddle.

Hands / Neck Reining:
As you can see, Tori is using a neck rein to move her horse closer to the rail. Of course she must use a neck rein, but I would suggest slightly bending that left elbow and lifting the horse’s shoulders to move him over. This way, when his shoulders lift, he will collect and slow his walk even further. When bending the elbow and lifting the rein hand slightly, the rider will not have to cross over the mane as much to get her horse to move away from the neck rein. The cue will be smaller and more attractive to horse and spectators.

Note to riders:
Always use a leg cue before or during the time when you are using a rein cue. This will teach the horse to eventually move off of the leg only, resulting in a virtually invisible cue.

Another controversial point I would like to make…

At any gait, before touching your horse, check out where the judge is. I call it cheating, but unless you are in a big show with multiple judges, I recommend trying to fix the horse when the judge isn’t looking. The reason for this is not to “get away with something”, but rather to teach the horse that just because you are in the show ring does not mean that he can do whatever he wants. You also don’t want to appear rude and ignore the judge, so fixing the horse when the judge is busy looking at another rider is your opportunity to be able to show your horse to the best of his ability when the judge’s eyes are on you.

Here's to a great 2008 Show Season all, and a special thanks to Tori and Iza Hot Shot!

Deanna