Rough Riding

Sept. 25th 2018

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You never know what you have till it's gone, never has there been a truer saying. It applies to everything from junk food to dates and it even includes stirrups. I got a chance to learn how to ride soft saddle and boy did I miss my stirrups! Not being able to use downward foot pressure means the job of keeping you on the horse goes to your balance and your hip strength. And let me tell you without riding all the time your hips start fading fast. For the readers who don't know what a soft saddle is let me catch you up.

A soft saddle is a form a saddle that is more bare bones than a regular one no horn, no stirrups, no nothing. Its basically like riding a super padded blanket on a horse. Without all

the stuff that a regular provides it really does take a significant more control and balance too stay on. Which is why this was the training session where I came the closest to falling off! It was a close call, but after a couple laps around the pen I was able to get up to a running lope.

Every time I get comfortable riding I learn a new technique or a new skill to make my riding cleaner or more advanced. It is a little daunting seeing how much more I have to learn and how expansive the field of riding really is. Knowing it makes me a better stunt performer makes it easier to tackle these challenges head on. Also doesn't hurt that riding horses is SO MUCH FUN! I am beyond ecstatic to rein in my skills (see what I did there) and become an even better rider.

STAY TUNED for the next exciting development!

P.S did you know that horses like to roll around like dogs in the dirt? fun fact!