Riding without stirrups. . .

[Flint12]

I have been having back problems recently. After being told i have lower back trauma from a sporting incident, i have been having to go back and look at my seat very carefully.

I have lessons from two people. I had a lesson last tuesday and i spent about an hour working on my seat with no stirrups. And then on the Thursday i had a lesson with my othr instructor again with no stirrups for an hour.

I cannot say how different my horse felt!! He was so attentive to my leg and was moving like he has never moved before.

The difference from having no stirrups was amazing! I have been having a few issues schooling my lad, but these two lessons have boosted my confidence so much.

Just thought i would post this because i know that i myself have been worrying about so much and as soon as i took a moment to look at my seat the difference was amazing!

So feeling super happy now, exams over, of on holiady next week and im back riding woop woop

 

[DreamerII]

I also have lower back problems from an accident I had when I was 14, funny enough it was a horse riding accident! I find that riding w/o stirrups really does help you use your seat bones in a totally different way.

Glad to hear that you are feeling your horse respond differently as well and that you are feeling more confident. Have a lovely holiday as well btw

 

[Sol]

I love riding without stirrups, why haven't I done it recently!?!
Must admit, I feel safer really without them - being dragged by them kinda put me off the idea
And just think how good it is for your stomach muscles too!

 

[TicTac]

I guess it's beacuse you have to relax more and not try and grip which in turn sets up stiffness in the lower back.

I too have a chronic lower back problem and have to say that riding without stirrups is very relaxing, if you don't have to worry about your horse. I am struggling to ride at the moment due to pain but did manage a quiet hack on saturday which didn't do too much damage.

I have a lesson booked for next week, maybe I should do part of it without my stirrups ....