Bands

This whole thing is insane. Grand Prix jumpers go through even more extreme gyrations in the saddle than any barrel racer ever will and no one, in any english discipline, would even think of doing something like this.

What? Are you saying Sierra's response was insane or people banding their feet are insane?

I have a theory that maybe the reason I lose my stirrups on Selena is because of my (bad) habit of dropping my stirrups when I get in trouble. Since she's the one who likes to randomly explode, I think it's possible I'm subconciously riding lighter than normal in my stirrups. I could probably stand to stuff my foot farther in there too and that may help.

Do you guys see it? And ignore my "trainers slouch", espeially when she does her hunching, I am not a natural at western equitation, yet for some reason whenever I enter that class I place high in it. I have mastered the art of faking it though. I just don't like to ride with my spine stiff as a board!

Selena Raws - YouTube

I was thinking about the purple bands because these ones are just thick enough to reind me to put some stirrup weight on there when I touch em, but I highly doubt I'm going to get hung up. They're super thin and broke even just while I was messing with them.

But ya know...In case you wanted to see me not slouching so much...LOL

Not going to lie..I do the slouch too..It's hard to tell in some parts of the video because it's dark in the arena but I can understand why you ride like that..

I speak from rubber banding experience here. I've been barrel racing for several years and I have always used thin, figure 8 rubber bands to hold my feet in. And referring to mildot's post earlier,In general, using rubber bands is a safety net to us barrel racers, it keeps our feet in and helps us maintain balance for us as well as or horses because a lot of things can go wrong when you lose a stirrup, most of the time bad.
But also, I must point out that it is also a personal preference. It can either make you feel safe or unsafe, but it is only my choice to use rubber bands at my own risk. It's no use to go preaching to others about what you think, sometimes you just need to figure things out for yourself.

Oh I seriously doubt a piece of latex/rubber is going to stop my 140 lb butt from falling off.

I tend to lose my sturrips when I really have to engage my inside leg. I just do my big rubber band in a figure 8 around my toe to heel as a little "assurance"

SH I'm really impressed with your little mare good job.

When I used the bands, they were just regular big rubber bands, don't remember where I got them. I really liked them. I never noticed having them on and it was never used to keep me on or keep me balanced, just to keep me from having to fish for a sturrip. The way I attached mine was, big loop over the toe, grab from under the sole around the bottom of the sturrip, and back onto the toe. This way you are still on the ball of your feet.

I never worried about the bands not breaking if I fell off. It's nice to not be in a total rage because of a wild sturrip!

Thank you! I've put a lot of work into her and I'm really proud of her, but we still have a long way to go too :)

And I think after reading this thread I will start banding when I run her...Just in case. Plus, how could I turn down another opportunity to wear even MORE purple stuff?

I would agree on it is all a personal preference. I myself need the reassurance of having bands on my feet. When I run at home I wont use them in a lesson, but from some nasty falls if I loose a stirrup I will either slow down or pull up entirerly. I don't feel that any entrance fee is worth me falling and seriously injuring myself or my horse. But I ride at a barn that all it is, is barrel racers and pole benders. Its pretty 50/50 for those that use bands and those that don't use bands. WHen I run my feet always pop out of the stirrup but I have only been running for 9 months or so.