Spurs Stuck in the Back Cinch
Ever have one of those days when you feel like a total disaster? Yesterday was one of those days for me. Poor Leo. I’m lucky that he seems to like me a little. I was riding along, still experimenting with the spurs and pressure and feeling pretty good, like I might be getting the hang of it. Until, that is, I asked him to canter. My spurs somehow kept getting lodged in the back cinch. Leo is cantering around while I’m having panic attacks because my heels are getting periodically pinned in the saddle. After it happened a few times I asked him to please walk. Don’t feel bad; I was thinking the same thing—I’m a dork.
I’m pretty sure that I’m the only one who’s ever had this happen. There was just no walking away from that ride with any sort of dignity. My spurs got stuck in the back cinch! Jeez!
So last night, after walking the walk of shame back to the barn, I started to problem solve. How in the heck are me feet so far back at a canter that the spurs are getting caught in the cinch? I know he has a short body but that’s just not right. It’s got to be because I’m not sitting right. I’m not sitting back on my back pockets like Les Vogt says to do. I watched the part of his training video where he’s talking about canter departures. When he rides at a canter, his legs are pretty far forward, up by the shoulders almost.
Today, I got to go for another ride because it wasn’t raining (two whole days in a row, woo!). Leo was SO GOOD today. He was Leo Fantasicooooo! He made me feel so optimistic about our program and so proud of him. I hugged him over and over again (I know you’re supposed to pat them when they do well, but I sometimes get to that “beaming” stage of proud when I just have to hug his whole neck). Anyway, I concentrated on my seat at a canter and really tried to get it right. Spur problem officially eliminated. I’ll have to keep working on it, but at least I’ll know when I’m not doing it right—I’ll get trapped in my dang saddle.
Those are the spurs I’m wearing by the way. To me, the rowels seem don’t seem very severe. I hope I’m right.
Them look like some pretty nice spurs, chap guard and all. Rowels look pretty mild. Good choice.
As far as Les Vogt getting his legs forward. He says that he’s come to ride a shorter stirrup nowdays. That’ll tend to move your legs forward. If you can get used to it might try hitchin your stirrups up a notch or two.
I think I kinda ride with em in the middle. I’ll bring em up 2 notches when gettin on a colt the first few times or one that might have a spunky reputation. But if they get too long I feel like I lose alot of control. But a lot of reiners like a long stirrup. Pretty much a personal thing I guess but something you can experiment with.
One thing though….if anybody else generally rides that saddle always put the stirrups back or let them know you changed em.
18 Jan 2008 at 8:28 pm
I’ve ridden for the last three days. My body hurts. I think I must be “old” now.
You know, I’m trying that shortened stirrup thing along with jamming my foot into the stirrup up to the heel like we were talking about the other day. I feel like that keeps my legs from going forward. I wonder if this has anything to do with it being a roping saddle. Doesn’t seem like it would. Roping saddles are just a bit more centered I think. The stirrups go straight down instead of slightly forward. Anyway, I’m definitely experimenting. I got through todays ride spur-stuck free.
What kind of stirrups do you use? Have you ever tried those slanted ones that are made of metal? A lot of ropers use them. They’re supposed to be better for your legs. I never see reiners with them though (I only ever see photos of reiners, but still).
http://www.crookedstirrups.com/BuyCrookedStirrups.htm
Jim has them on another saddle that I’ve ridden in. They’re suuuuuper comfie. Do you think stirrup width makes a difference in reining?
18 Jan 2008 at 10:09 pm
I’ve heard of bent stirrups but never used em. The ones I ride on my Billy Cook, which I’m in most times, are pretty standard 3″ width. I did change out the original stirrups to a shorter set so I could get the same adjustment without gettin into the fender. Roping sirrups are usually long and kind wide alot of times for calf ropers to get their foot out when they go down the rope.
I think the width is just what feels good. The way I ride the wide ones work good. But I think if I can get used to gettin my foot stuck all the way in the stirrups narrower ones would better. We got a barrel racing saddle with narrower stirrups, I think around 2″ wide. They kinda fit that notch in front of a boot heel pretty well.
Check out this link on choosing a saddle.
www.horsetrainingvideos.com/article3.htm
19 Jan 2008 at 2:01 am