So who's doing no stirrups november?

I rode Fionn the baby connie for the first time ever with no stirrups tonight... He was really good, but a whole month might be a bit ambitious lol....

Fiona
 
MouseInLux said:
We had a good spook today wile I was doing my no stirrups work! I managed to stay centred but my horse isn't super spooky, I still have no clue what she was thinking (do we every)!
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I've manged to stay on board after a spook & lost stirrups, & I do like riding without, he's just a TINY bit too reactive so far. Aiming for next year though.

Well done for staying on!
 
That video is very impressive! I need to improve my half seat. I could incorporate that as well as no stirrups.
 
I worked with horses like that in Canada, they were valued at up to $250,000 for one that would jump a 4’ Class like that in such a lovely quiet rhythm.

As for no stirrups, I definitely need to work on as my lower leg position is not as good as it used to be, so I’m in even if it’s for a few minutes each ride. Not sure my horse would appreciate it all the time until I’m as good as that girl.
 
Lovely! While I was retraining, I wasn't allowed stirrups for several months. When they got put back I felt they got in the way - easy to start depending on them again though, and put you in all sorts of contorted positions. I tend not to rely on mine too much and sometimes no stirrup work is a good exercise! I'll join you all!
 
I'm assuming my no stirrup cool down at the end of my schooling won't count?! I'm happy to try a bit of no stirrup work every time I ride. I can only ever dream of being as good as thst video - a master class in quiet consistent riding.
 
Ceriann said:
I'm assuming my no stirrup cool down at the end of my schooling won't count?! I'm happy to try a bit of no stirrup work every time I ride. I can only ever dream of being as good as thst video - a master class in quiet consistent riding.
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Get someone to lunge you in all gaits - your seat will definitely change! :)
 
I tried to do this challenge last year but had a habit of forgetting! I think the actual challenge was just 20 mins no stirrups each time you ride, which I think is very doable in most situations. Other than competing/hunting etc.

I'll be attempting again this year :)

ETA: That video - serious goals! I can't ride that well WITH stirrups :D :D :D lovely rider and horse, totally together.
 
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Super little horse!

I spend a fair amount of time bareback or stirrupless anyway, and I could certainly get through the month on Fergus without them. It seems a bit of an ask for the four year old though - for her sake more than mine!
 
I havent had a saddle for one of mine for the last 4 weeks while a new one is on order... 3 weeks to go! Have ridden as if Ive had a saddle the whole time. Has done wonders for seat and balance!
 
Gah. I got the wrong month. I've been schooling one of every three sessions without stirrups all throughout the last month. I realised how very, very wonky we both were as my lower back was in agony after the 3rd session without. My left leg was numb after the first two. :eek:

So, saddle fitter and physio for her, and a trip to the osteo for me.

Expensive, this no stirrups malarkey.:)
 
I am, but I'm going even further with it - not sure how sane a plan it is though!

Beast is super strong and can behave like a kid in a sweet - shop - mostly when jumping but also (sometimes) over canter. He was even sent to a pro for SJ schooling for 8 weeks and returned with the instructions of 'use a martingale and a strong bit for hacking and jumping (and this from a very talented woman who is often seen competing in a snaffle). My dad is ill and until last week I had not ridden him for the best part of 10 months, during which time he had been ridden a handful of times by my friend when she came to visit. Luckily for me he keeps himself quite active in his field. So, I rode him last week, twice - one hack and one schooling session (walk, a bit of trot and a circuit of canter on each rein), he was also lunged one day.

The totally sane thing to do with a excitable, strong horse and a rider who after 10 months out of the saddle with zero core strength would be to completely bypass No-Stirrups-November, but where would the fun be in that? So instead I am not just doing NSN, but I am taking it even further:

I will be doing six weeks with a minimum of 3 sessions a week in the school with no stirrups and no bit. Hacking will be with stirrups and bit at least once but aiming for twice a week.

I will be initially focusing on walk and trot and building up to canter and jumping towards the end of the six weeks.

Today I did my first twenty mins, walk and trot. He went so well, I was very proud of his behaviour although I made sure to remove all jumps and poles from the school! And whilst I am sure I probably looked like a cross between a sack of spuds and a flapping duck, I was silently shocked by my fair ability to balance and not tense up too much. All very much a work in progress but I haven't truly ridden without stirrups and bit for over 10 years, and ben never has other than the odd 'take the stirrups away' on the walk home from a hack.

So, we are embarking on six weeks of a probably crazy idea but it should certainly be a challenge and interesting I am sure!
 
I'm backing one of mine sans saddle, because he won't stop growing, and there is a limit to my tack buying budget for each year, lol. Just waiting for my helper's rib to finish mending first, but should be on board by November :)
 
I would actually love to have an All-stirrup-November, as I've been without a saddle since July and have been riding my gelding bareback.That has done wonders to my balance, but heck, I miss sitting in a saddle!
 
I do no stirrup work in every flatwork lesson, and without being asked to. It makes such a difference imho, but then I have uber long legs which I have to wrap around everything I ride so a lot of the time it's easier.
 
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