Loping tips, please!?

Question

hellp, i hate to admit it, but i am TERRIFIED to lope!!!!!

I tried it a few times, and i really do love it! its just that the last tiem i loped (last fall) my horse didnt stop (my fault!!:() and now im scared.

something that also gets to me is when the horse tranists from the jog to lope, how he 'lurches' forward, it feels like im gonna slide off the saddle!! :(

i always sit deep in my seat,and my instrustor sayd that i can hold onto the pommel (back of the saddle) until i get more comfortable.

did yo ever have a fear like this? what are your tips?

also is it a good idea for me to sit deep, hold the reins loosely or short? and also should i hold onto the pommel? i would feel comfortable doing this!!

thank you!!!:)

God Bless!

Answer 1

i have never had a fear i love to lope so i put the reins on the neck and we run.. to keep from sliding out of the saddle  and to feel more confirtable is to  have ur heels down and post... Do you know what that is its like liftin ur butt out of the sattle and back into the sattle as the horse runs like a rhythem .... thats what i do anyways.. hopefully it helps.

Answer 2

Spazzy:

Holding onto the pommel will encourage your posture downward, which will make you feel like falling. Instead, try some seat-taming  moves that will make you feel solid and secure!

Walk your horse with your eyes closed for a few beats, then longer. When you feel what is moving your horse, the fear of sudden surges is easily removed. You can count his hoofbeats back, front etc and learn what his impulsion is.

Try a little bareback walking perhaps on a lead line with a friend. You can return the favor, and you both will feel a boost of confidence from becoming less dependant on saddles and more aware of your horses living force.

Have a person take a short vid of your transition from walk to jog. When you see your nice posture, toes up and legs strong I think it will go a long way to settling your fear.

Its OK to be afraid to lope or anything you arent ready for. You have only yourself to please! If you like  loping you will when you feel steady and safe, it is not natural to want to do somthing that feels unsafe. You can do this without holding onto a thing, just  dont rush to make somone else happy:) You undersatand the dynamics of the lope, so watch some movies and get into the feel of it. Don't stress over the reins when you do lope, you will do it well.

ANY sport: scuba diving,parachuting,hitting a baseball, has its days when it seems terrifying! The thing is to work through to a point to where it is  fun and easy.

Watch the Black Stallion on DvD and get inspired:)