"How did you stay on??"

My 12 yr old student who had just ridden Stryker commented after he bucked.  "Miss Loretta how did you stay on while he did that?"   I told her that the method of riding I teach teaches a safe, secure, seat. By learning to keep your leg under you AT ALL TIMES many falls can be omitted. Not all, but many.  My upper body did go forward when he bucked. But my legs stayed under me. Had they swung back I would've been over his head or shoulder in a heartbeat.

The other thing is reaction time. As soon as I felt what was happening I pushed myself back upright so more weight could be in the seat.  It takes a lot of years to be able to do that, and unfortunately some falls along the way. Sometimes we learn the hard way, by our mistakes. I have been thrown off by a buck or two in my time. 

For the record, Stryker was not trying to ditch me. He was very happy to be cantering. Everyone was commenting on how happy and excited he looked before he bucked. I think he was thrilled to be doing something.  Since the herd changes at the barn, he's been living in the paddock with the ponies, not in the field.  So he does not have nearly as much space to roam in.








Loretta
 the natural horseman
 clear communication/visible results

Schooling ponies, well horses I guess

Interesting day here today. Started with schooling Blue after a student had a morning lesson on him. He was quite ready, I think he could've cantered forever.  Ended with me schooling Stryker after a student's lesson. This one was a bit more interesting. Trotted around great, still off left but I think that is a forever thing. Much like Playboy he picked up a canter as soon as I thought about asking (this psychic pony connection is coooool), we went around about once, to the right. Lauren was commenting on how good we looked, his tail was up, his head was tucked in, and then, blam. He bucked. Wow he has a pretty mean buck to him. I stayed on, it was uneventful. I corrected him and off we went again on the right lead, a do over if you will.  Then we went to the left. Lovely, slow, rolling canter. Was wonderful and felt great both directions. Guess he can stay another month....







Loretta
 the natural horseman
 clear communication/visible results