Anyone else notice that in the slowmo his feet are jammed 3/4 the way to his heel in the stirrups? No wonder he didn't fall! What if they'd had a REAL accident?! If he doesn't ruin himself first, he's also ruining that poor, patient horse.
I personally know several people who ride like that, and win checks every time. I don't like the thought that the horses sides are probably bleeding after that run though. I think it's fun to watch people who lay their elbow on the barrel as they turn it. Not something I'm going to do though..
My horse would have thrown my butt across that arena if I tried that! Posted via Mobile Device
Somebody needs to learn the "outside stirrup" technique.
But honestly, who would of thought of that on their own if someone hadn't told them about it? Who would of thought leaning to the OUTSIDE of a turn would help you turn tighter and smoother?
What's the outside leg technique? Posted via Mobile Device
Anyone else notice that in the slowmo his feet are jammed 3/4 the way to his heel in the stirrups? No wonder he didn't fall! What if they'd had a REAL accident?! If he doesn't ruin himself first, he's also ruining that poor, patient horse.
When I run my stirrups are by the arch of my foot. Its amazing how well feet slip out of stirrups :) It all comes down to where your comfortable with it, do I ride like that every day? Nope lol Posted via Mobile Device
D: Dear god. That was horrible. He attacked his horse and grabbed the barrels. That... that's just bad riding. Ugh. Does he know that if you don't hit the barrel you won't have to grab it?
What's the outside leg technique? Posted via Mobile Device
The idea involves keeping most of your weight in your OUTSIDE stirrup during the barrel turn. Clearly the guy in the video is leaning inward toward the barrel every time, hence putting all his weight on the inside stirrup instead.
It's a matter of physics and centripetal motion: An object traveling in a circular motion will travel FASTER with the weight to the outside.
Hence why it makes sense (through science) to put most of your weight in your outside stirrup during a barrel turn, while sitting straight up and down in your saddle (do not lean inward, and do not lean outward).
I first learned this concept at a Lynn McKenzie barrel clinic. When you wanted your horse to rate (lets say we are making a left turn), you would rotate your hips in the saddle counter clockwise so that your left hip is slightly back, and your right hip is slightly forward. You put the majority of your weight in your right stirrup, which leaves your left leg "free" to squeeze and hustle your horse.
Now, of course this body position doesn't work for every horse, but that was the main idea --> Weight in the outside stirrup, and keep yourself sitting up straight.
I just found this photo on the internet, but it shows a good snapshot of a rider who is not leaning in or leaning out, and is staying straight in the saddle, weight in the outside foot.
Now although this is a young rider, in this snapshot she appears to be leaning inward heavily. This can cause a horse to shoulder in (see how much weight this horse is bearing on its front end? Most of the weight should be in the hindquarters; not the front end.) and can cause tipped barrels.
Granted now these are just snapshots. Seeing the run in action is always different.
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