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Christeenybeenie
G.O.G Community Member
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Posted: Fri Sep 5th, 2008 08:48 pm |
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HI All
A friend of a friend lent me the DVDs....great info..especially on bits! Ordering the Imus bit TODAY!! Yay for me!
But i digress my question is about the leg placement /stirrups in the saddle. I understand the whole liberty equitation seat puts you more forward on the horse and in more of a chair seat but many of the riders in the last dvd looked as if their legs sort of jut out away from the horse. Could this have been the camera angle combined with the more forward position? or are your feet/legs supposed to stick out? I was taught that the leg should rest naturally on the horse's side and the heel should be down but not forced.
Please don't get me wrong, I'm not criticizing the riders, we're all in different places on the skill scale but I'm wondering if this is something that should happen while in the 4-beat saddle or while riding gaited breeds or if this was something that perhaps just happens with those particular riders? (we all have something we're working on, I tend to perch forward, my neice tends to let her heels creep up etc..)
I know sometimes my legs are more...active, for lack of a better word, when riding Batman versus a QH and I attributed that to his pacey-ness and I work to keep my legs more engaged and not let them swing to much.
Thoughts??
beenie
also.. how long did it take ya'll to adjust to the new seat position??
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gaitingal
Ranch Hand
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Posted: Fri Sep 5th, 2008 09:35 pm |
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I guess since I have no "formal" training, I just plopped right on into the saddle & off I went. Very natural for me in the 4Beat.
 Debbie in GA
____________________
"Wrinkles should merely indicate where smiles have been." - Mark Twain
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whattarack
Pasture Boss
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Posted: Fri Sep 5th, 2008 11:07 pm |
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We can only ride our own horses. You should be able to ride without you feet on the dashboard if that is what you choose. I know that mine have gone way as I've tried the leaning way back to see if it really makes a difference in gait. (My pacer loving family members ride like that). It took me a couple of rides to adjust into the 4-Beat saddle. Been 3-yrs now and I'm still so glad I have this comfort and I feel secure while I am still quite able to deliver leg ques.
This is from an old topic:
Jamie Imus wrote:
The reasoning to Liberty Equitation is to allow the rider to ride in the same position that one would ride in bareback. The reasoning behind this is that when one rides bareback the rider naturally assumes the position that they need to be most naturally in balance with their horse. Almost without exception the rider allows their feet to drift slightly forward and their back drifts slightly back. The important second part to this is that they take up position directly right behind the horse's wither (scroll up and look at the bareback rider). Directly behind the wither is horses' natural center of gravity and the strongest part of their backs.
I think the words "allow, natural, balance" pertaining to the rider position are the key of Liberty Equitation. Jamie's sums it up nicely and she IS the GOG authority on the subject.
I believe that we will all assume a position in the saddle or bareback in which our legs drift forward. It is our natural comfort zone. Are we aligned? No. And that little simple fact is enough for the chair seat argument if someone choose to go there.
I took the liberty of drawing a line down Hope's pic. Some would certainly argue that this beautiful seat is also a 'chair seat' since her legs are forward (although naurally set that way).
I am so glad Brenda made the free DVD. It proves her Liberty Equitation Theory. If anyone is interested in Liberty Equitation, please go to the home page and order the FREE DVD. (or see it at national bridle's website)
The example below is a pic of one of our very experienced and balanced riders. HopeMissouri is NOT in a chair seat position. 
Attached Image (viewed 275 times):
Here's is Hope's reply to my comment about her seat in the pic:
Nope! I'm not in a chair seat.
My interpretation of a chair seat would be that my feet would be THRUST forward, using my stirrups for balance, my feet at my horse's shoulders.
In that photo, my legs are draped naturally, slightly forward, yet behind the girth. My horse is relaxed. Very definitely NOT a chair seat position.
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Being Offended is Optional.
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Christeenybeenie
G.O.G Community Member
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Posted: Sat Sep 6th, 2008 12:56 am |
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thanks for the reply guys! My hubby and I were discussing these DVDs all night.. and I told him I'd post the question.
Just to be clear, I didn't mean "chair seat" as a derogatory term though if I thought about it, I should have worded it differently. I just meant the legs being more forward than when you're in a standard saddle.
I've watched the Liberty Equitation film online and I understand the principles. I guess my question was mainly about my perception of space between the riders legs and the horse but I suppose if your legs are forward of the widest part of the horse then there will be more "air" for lack of a better term. I just looked so different to me...that's why I asked.
The difference in the way the horses moved in the Imus tack was incredible..I ordered my bit, I just can't wait to get the dang saddle!!
beenie
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gaitingal
Ranch Hand
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Posted: Sat Sep 6th, 2008 01:55 am |
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Hey beenie,
I hope that no one took your description of "chair seat" in a bad way. I certainly did not - but, I know of what you speak.
Where is HopeMissouri anyway, oh Lady Master with a Pic for Every Occassion... ?
Debbie in GA
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"Wrinkles should merely indicate where smiles have been." - Mark Twain
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whattarack
Pasture Boss
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Posted: Sat Sep 6th, 2008 02:20 am |
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I'm wondering if this is something that should happen while in the 4-beat saddle or while riding gaited breeds or if this was something that perhaps just happens with those particular riders?
What should happen in the 4-Beat saddle is as Jamie Imus explained:
allow the rider to ride in the same position that one would ride in bareback.
In an article about the 4-Beat saddle, Brenda Imus wrote (concerning the stirrups):
We positioned the free swinging stirrups slightly more forward, thus eliminating stress on the rider’s ankles, knees and hips while encouraging a more comfortable and practical,"Liberty Equitationtm," seat.
I didn't take the words "chair seat" in a bad way at all. Like I said, it took me a couple of rides to get used to the saddle. I haven't viewed the vids in a while but next time I do, I'll have to look at the riders - Good observation on your part.
Hope has a wonderfully natural seat and she is a gifted horse woman. I like to use her pics as examples when I can if it will help others in some way. - thanks, Hope. 
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Being Offended is Optional.
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