Showing posts with label Bareback. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bareback. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
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
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Riding Is A Partnership
I would like to add some of my thoughts as they relate to my last post, Bareback & Bridleless - Stacy Westfall.
I am really big on achieving complete control over every part of a horse’s body. A broke horse will give me control over his body from his ears to his tail. I want to be able to control every step my horse takes.
But, riding is a partnership. So while I am able to control every step that does not mean I have to control every step.
I think that is very clearly demonstrated in the video of Stacy during her freestyle reining run. She worked the pattern with her horse, and he obviously wanted to do what she asked without any resistance.
Just because we are able to control every part of the horse’s body, does not mean we do not give up some of that control to the horse.
Once the horse learns his job, get out of his way and let him do it. This is not to say when he makes a mistake we are not there to immediately correct it, but we should be able to sit back and give subtle guidance and allow our partner to show off his skills.
That is why the best horse and rider teams make riding look so easy. They are operating as partners, working toward the same goal in harmony.
A simple example of what I am talking about is, say you ask your horse for a lope departure.
You allow him to try and lope off without support from your hands. Sure, he may throw his head up in the air, or get the wrong lead, but that is when you stop him, try it again, and this time give him support with your hands.
Then, try it again, and allow him to try and lope off without the support of your hands. Pat him when he gets it correct, stop him and help him try it again with your help when he does not get it correct. I never give up giving some gentle guidance with my legs, but I do not always need to be guiding the horse in his mouth.
It’s all about working as a team, with the rider as the teacher and not merely a dictator. Once you establish yourself and your horse as a team, you will be a happy rider, have a happy partner, and your riding will appear effortless.
Happy Partnership!
Deanna
I am really big on achieving complete control over every part of a horse’s body. A broke horse will give me control over his body from his ears to his tail. I want to be able to control every step my horse takes.
But, riding is a partnership. So while I am able to control every step that does not mean I have to control every step.
I think that is very clearly demonstrated in the video of Stacy during her freestyle reining run. She worked the pattern with her horse, and he obviously wanted to do what she asked without any resistance.
Just because we are able to control every part of the horse’s body, does not mean we do not give up some of that control to the horse.
Once the horse learns his job, get out of his way and let him do it. This is not to say when he makes a mistake we are not there to immediately correct it, but we should be able to sit back and give subtle guidance and allow our partner to show off his skills.
That is why the best horse and rider teams make riding look so easy. They are operating as partners, working toward the same goal in harmony.
A simple example of what I am talking about is, say you ask your horse for a lope departure.
You allow him to try and lope off without support from your hands. Sure, he may throw his head up in the air, or get the wrong lead, but that is when you stop him, try it again, and this time give him support with your hands.
Then, try it again, and allow him to try and lope off without the support of your hands. Pat him when he gets it correct, stop him and help him try it again with your help when he does not get it correct. I never give up giving some gentle guidance with my legs, but I do not always need to be guiding the horse in his mouth.
It’s all about working as a team, with the rider as the teacher and not merely a dictator. Once you establish yourself and your horse as a team, you will be a happy rider, have a happy partner, and your riding will appear effortless.
Happy Partnership!
Deanna
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Bareback & Bridleless - Stacy Westfall
Fredi Castro, my husband and fellow horse trainer specializes in Native American Horsemanship. Therefore he does most of his training bareback. So whenever we see another trainer riding bareback especially a major horse show, we find it pretty exciting.
Stacy Westfall has been everywhere lately, including this month’s cover of Horse & Rider Magazine.
Check out Stacy Westfall’s Freestyle Reining AQHA Congress 2006 Championship Run, bareback and bridleless. It’s truly amazing. After watching the video I have a new goal for Fredi, and fortunately he has agreed. After watching this video, I bet you ditch your saddle for a few rides and get excited about bareback again.
Enjoy!
Deanna
Stacy Westfall has been everywhere lately, including this month’s cover of Horse & Rider Magazine.
Check out Stacy Westfall’s Freestyle Reining AQHA Congress 2006 Championship Run, bareback and bridleless. It’s truly amazing. After watching the video I have a new goal for Fredi, and fortunately he has agreed. After watching this video, I bet you ditch your saddle for a few rides and get excited about bareback again.
Enjoy!
Deanna
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