Legs say go, seat says whoa!

S

Sarah1

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Hi!

I feel, at the moment, that I'm confusing my boy a bit!

I think my legs are saying 'go' but my seat is saying 'whoa'! He's been a bit on the lazy side for the last couple of weeks and I think as I'm using my leg stronger it's tightening my seat and actually having the opposite effect than the one desired! :confused:

Can anyone give me any tips on how I can change/avoid this?

I have ridden with a schooling whip but for the most part it's made little difference. I'd rather not resort to spurs and the like IF I can possibly avoid it.

Thanks! :)
 
Just spent last Saturday watching Mary Robins teach, she had riders not use their legs at all but to tap the horse up with the whip until they got a forward reaction, then to stop using the whip.

Riders tend to overuse their legs with no effect. Every aid must have a reaction.

Sit soft and quiet, keep your leg relaxed, make sure that you are not forcing your heel down too hard, it stiffens the leg and makes it ineffective.

Use the power of your mind, think forward and the horse will more than likely co-operate.
 
Thank you for taking the time to reply :)
I actually tried to concentrate on really lightening my seat & instead of keep using stronger & stronger leg aids, (so my whole leg started tensing & causing me to tighten my seat again!), I used a schooling whip & I have to say it was a bit better!
Only problem...I kept lapsing back into not concentrating & he'd get slower again! Grrrr!
 
Glad you've had a breakthrough. Don't worry about lapsing, we all do it when learning something new on horseback. at least he's telling you clearly when you're doing it! ;)
 
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