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Kelly
Platinum Member
England
1571 Posts |
 Posted - 20 Feb 2006 : 11:45:25 AM
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Hi
I have recently backed my first youngster, and I want to know if one of his reactions is 'normal', or if it's because of/exacerbated by the fact that we have a treeless saddle!
When doing rising trot (very infrequently, and not for long!) he feels the pressure across his back as I rise. Obviously, I'm not putting all my weight in my stirrups, but there is still a little, and he reacts by flicking his ears back (curiosity, not pain or fear), and lifting his head a little. He very soon settles down, although we never trot for more than about 10 seconds anyway, and only trot if actually necessary.
I know that this is a 'known' area of pressure in treeless saddles, so assumed it was just that, but I am curious - would he feel it even in a treed saddle, or would the tree disperse the weight enough so that he wouldn't feel it?
By the way, I always check his back after riding, and he is never tender.
Thanks
Kelly
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Kelly
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Edited by - Kelly on 20 Feb 2006 12:07:06 PM
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Libby Frost
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
4711 Posts |
Posted - 20 Feb 2006 : 1:39:12 PM
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| its just your weight moving it feels weird to him .Its a baby thing they soon become accustomed to it. |
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Kelly
Platinum Member
England
1571 Posts |
Posted - 20 Feb 2006 : 1:59:13 PM
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Oh, thank you so much Libby! I've been working myself up about it, worrying about him! I feel much better now!
I'll still stay away from rising trot too much though!
It sounds from your posts like your baby is coming along very well!
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Kelly
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Roseanne
Moderator
United Kingdom
6708 Posts |
Posted - 20 Feb 2006 : 2:36:50 PM
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| Rising trot's better for him than sitting trot! I think youngsters do have to adjust their head and neck weight upwards in the beginning to help them take the unaccustomed load of the rider on their back. As Libby says they get used to it quite quickly but I'd let the horse gradually accustom itself to the weight carrying. Don't be tempted to get its head down 'get it into an outline' too early as so many mistakenly do. It can really stop them going forward willingly and actively. That all comes much later when your horse is nicely able to balance himself and is confident at being ridden in the school and out on hacks. |
Roseanne |
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Kelly
Platinum Member
England
1571 Posts |
Posted - 20 Feb 2006 : 2:48:32 PM
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Hmmm - now there's food for thought! In a treed saddle, I would choose rising over sitting trot everytime. But with all the reports I've heard about the pressure band from stirrups with treeless saddles, I am reluctant to rise.
Having said that, maybe I'll persevere with the rising a little more, and see if he settles - he's a very opinionated young man, so I'm sure that if it isn't to his liking and there is pressure there, he will let me know!
As you've said, it may just be the weight moving right now, not pressure.
He's not being asked to work in an outline yet - he's just strolling along enjoying the view! He's very willing to go forward, and enjoys himself! |
Kelly
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Roseanne
Moderator
United Kingdom
6708 Posts |
Posted - 20 Feb 2006 : 3:06:52 PM
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Have to say Kelly I don't know anything about treeless saddles. My view was just about treed ones, so perhaps the jury had better stay out on that one. Cowboys and Western saddle users never do rising trot do they and their horses don't seem to complain!
He sounds like a great, adaptable horse anyway and all seems to be going very nicely for you both. I never cease to be amazed and delighted at the way horses learn so quickly and allow us to ride on their backs. Wonderful creatures. |
Roseanne |
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Libby Frost
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
4711 Posts |
Posted - 20 Feb 2006 : 5:30:24 PM
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| I dont know alot about the effect a treeless saddle would have but i know from experience your weight shifting is a strange feeling to a new horse one they gradually get used to with more work. I had a mare we bred years ago who freaked right out every time i trotted on her she was fine whilst in walk,and i really didnt know what to do about it.Well i spoke to someone else and they suggested doing rising walk first let her worry about and carry on she will soon realise its ok then progress to trot! Sounds daft doesnt it? well it worked a treat,she realised it was ok, i wasnt going to hurt her at all and she turned into a marvellous riding horse who later jumped BSJA!!! |
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Lisa
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
2611 Posts |
Posted - 20 Feb 2006 : 7:08:01 PM
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| The first time I cantered Rain I stood up in my stirrups because its just too much to cope with initially trying to sit to what can be the most disunited mess of a canter! Trying trotting standing up so that he doesn't become frighted of trotting. But generally just vary what you do and give him a chance to get used to it before you move on. |
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Lisa
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
2611 Posts |
Posted - 20 Feb 2006 : 7:09:02 PM
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| Also going uphill is a great way to get them going forward and you don't have to worry about any bucks! |
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Zan
Platinum Member
Scotland
3213 Posts |
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Libby Frost
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
4711 Posts |
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Lisa
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
2611 Posts |
Posted - 21 Feb 2006 : 11:57:49 AM
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| But you can walk down the hill, I just meant a hill gives them something else to think about and it's easier to put your weight forward going uphill. |
Edited by - Lisa on 21 Feb 2006 11:58:16 AM |
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Kelly
Platinum Member
England
1571 Posts |
Posted - 21 Feb 2006 : 1:48:36 PM
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Thanks everyone for your suggestions, I will try them!
I am not rushing him - we don't even ride every week, and usually only walk - the trotting is generally to catch up with the horse in front - he is a bit bigger and really strides out!
Can't wait for the disunited mess of a canter, lol! |
Kelly
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Marie-ann1
Gold Member
England
1061 Posts |
Posted - 22 Feb 2006 : 5:43:26 PM
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I broke my mare in April last year with 4week old foal at foot... (she did not mind and was not stressed or anything) I got on and just rode her away.... just let her go where she wanted (up the road, down the lane... with foal besides) and then on the way back home she decided to trot... Wow what a trot!!
And that was it!! really really easy! Then in November while out on a hack in one of the fields I asked for canter did not plan it just decided to do it. And She got it spot on!! perfect stike off correct leading leg Just perfect (admittedly we only got about 5 strides in before she came back to trot but she was perfect)
I just fell over her neck in the middle of the field and hugged her!! I was sooooo pleased I could have got off and carried her home...
She is now to pregnant again to ride so will continue slowly when foal is 4 weeks old again.... can't wait!! |
Marie-Ann
Maidstone, Kent
www.arwenarabians.com/
http://milleniumjamaal.arwenarabians.com/index.html
http://www.freewebs.com/stallionbreeding/index.htm
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Marie-ann1
Gold Member
England
1061 Posts |
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Lisa
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
2611 Posts |
Posted - 24 Feb 2006 : 8:13:23 PM
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| I think it's easier to brake a mare when she's had a foal as they seem to be more mature mentally?? |
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Libby Frost
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
4711 Posts |
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