Thank you, I've been focusing a lot on that, and it has really helped. I guess sometimes when I'm on a lesson, I put my focus on another part, since I am a perfectionist. But it's really helped as I said. Thank you for your advice! :)
+Penelope Diaz (Penelope123123) Hi Penelope :) Thanks for your comment and questions. I recommend first making sure that you have a horse that has a good balanced round canter or trot. Practicing sitting trot on a horse that is hollow or retracted in his frame can cause discomfort and difficulty for both you and your horse. Practice a passive seat at the walk allowing your horses movement to move your hips and back. For canter in half seat, if you are fit from practicing the exercises at the walk and trot and your horse is balanced in the canter. Practice short sessions of half seat in the canter on the flat until your fitness and balance improve. Hope this helps. :)
what breed is your horse? it's gorgeous :) also, i often ride a welsh cob-arab (stunningly beautiful, but often grumpy), and she likes jumping but often refuses. is there any way i can get her to jump/stay on when she puts the brakes on?
@9ophelia Hi equitation riders can use a 2 point or half seat position as well as sitting closer the horse in some instances in light contact with the saddle.
Whenever I ride a half seat I tend to loose my stirrups because they fly off the front of my feet where my heel is down. What stirrups and treads would you recommend?
Hi my primary focus is my balance and staying soft enough without being floppy. Then I can allow the horses' movement to come through my body. Your core is your stability in all riding positions. Hope this helps :)
Thanks for the great video :) What sort of jumping saddles do you use? Looking at getting a Parelli Jumping saddle but want something else in the short term :)
@iBrokeOurPromise I like the Composite ones (look like black plastic) with the metal traction on the foot part. They are very grippy! Hope this helps! : )
My trainer taught me to do two point and jump release. (Example: I do two point when I'm turning to go down a line of jumps, then jump release right when my horse takes off) is two point and jump release correct?
Hi This issue starts in the walk and so should be addressed there first. Start by communicating in the walk exactly where the circle path is to your horse. Do this in each direction until it is consistent and easy. I use my position and legs to guide the horse more then my reins. Do not go to trot until it is easy in the walk. When it is easy in the trot in both directions, then try the canter, Horses and riders both have one side that can be difficult to ride on. It takes patient practice : )
@FDHorsetraining thanks for the advice :) thing is though, she keeps chucking me off when she refuses, and on saturday (my last lesson) my instructor managed to make her jump about 7 times in 8 attempts! i think it's really a matter of force ( no matter how much i'd like to believe otherwise). she supposedly likes jumping aswell, but i think (because i'm just starting to jump) she finds the small fences somewhat insulting...either way, i'm on one of the TBs next lesson, and she's just lovely :)
Hi, I began practicing and going into jumping, my instructor tells me that when you canter, you need to stretch out and look as tall as possible. So when I try to do this, I get the feeling that it's really bumpy, not smooth as to when I'm cantering just on the two point not stretching out tall. It's kind of difficult for me to explain. But when I do that it feels like it isn't going with the flow of the horse as I think that it's supposed to. I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong.
@9ophelia Hi Thanks for your comment! A good Hunt seat position in my opinion, is in perfect balance with the horse, feet and legs underneath me as my base of support, back flat and relaxed, not arched, weight equal in the left and right stirrup, knees relaxed, arms and shoulders relaxed too. Body relaxed not stiff especially in the hips. Hope this helps: )
@ChocolateBirdie Hi and thanks! She is a TB mare. I would try to make the exercise easier if she refuses a lot even going to a pole on the ground if need be. I would also make sure she is not tired, bothered by her equipment, or in some pain. Hope this helps : )
Hi Sarah! You have several choices when jumping on how to use your position. I try not to make any changes in front of the jump or during the jump. I either ride in a 2 point/half seat position all the way around the course or I ride in a 3 point or close to the saddle but forward position. I adjust my position to what the horse needs for us to stay in sync. Making sudden changes can disturb your horse and cause them to lose their balance, rush and get anxious. The action of the jump itself pushes you out of the tack so you just really need to take your half seat/two point or 3 point/light seat and stay still. Concentrate on your balance while you horse is jumping and you will learn not to disturb your horse. Hope this helps! :) Practice over ground poles to you get confident in keeping your balance.
Practice at the walk standing up for short periods until you are strong and fit enough to hold it for longer and longer. Then add walking over poles. When it is easy for you, then try trotting short periods. It takes time to get strong for this and you need to practice at least a few minutes every ride :)
@MsCupcakecherrypie Hi, I imagine it is very difficult with your injury to practice this so good job on keeping it up : ) I would work at the walk on ground poles until you feel strong, balanced and steady before going on to trot or canter. It will help your horse also to not lose confidence while you are learning. Hope this helps :)
