Re: posting

[Sue Brown <sbrown@wamedes.com>]

>This seems like a dumb question, but are you western saddle users 
>posting in a western saddle?  I've just switched over to using my 
>western saddle with my horse, and (duh?)
>tried posting, but it just didn't feel 
>right.  So, tell me, how are all you western saddle users
>keeping the skin on your calves and keeping your hinny
>from going numb?
>thanks,
>sherry davis
>

I started riding in a western saddle many years ago, but switched to a
dressage saddle for several years.  I now ride in both dressage saddles
(for arena work) and a western-style endurance saddle for conditioning, etc.  

After I had been riding in the dressage saddles for a while, I rode in one
of the western saddles again for a short distance.  I had gotten very used
to riding in a very balanced seat with my heels in the ear-shoulder-hip
line...enough so that I found the western saddles, that I *used* to ride
in, very awkward.  This biggest difference I noticed was in the increased
difficulty in posting the trot.  On analysis, it was because the stirrups
were hung further forward on the western saddles that I own (which is
pretty normal in a saddle of the cutting variety.)  The stirrup placement
on my endurance saddle is the same as my dressage saddle so my posting and
two point are just as easy in either one...and the only difference
(visually) between my endurance saddle and an Arab-cut western saddle is
the lack of a horn.  

If you try posting in a western saddle that has the stirrup placement
further forward, you'll feel a lot heavier in the tush section, land harder
on the downward part, and have to work a lot harder to get your hip bones
forward in the upward part...plus, when you finally get your hips forward
far enough to be balanced, you're running into the pommel and the horn.  If
your western saddle has the stirrups set back a bit so that you are more
balanced, your posting should be as effortless as it is in a balanced
dressage saddle.  Some western saddles are designed to keep your butt in
the saddle during forward lurches of the horse (as in cutting...this makes
it harder to get it out during posting.

Another point about posting -- you don't need to come up out of the saddle
very far at all to be most effective...and you want to come down and sit as
if you have tacks on the seat -- barely touch the seat before you come back
up.  Keep your weight in your heels to lighten your seat.  Imagine that
you're in a riding class with an ornery instructor who is having you sit
the trot on very forward, energetic Pepe' le Pieu.  You feel like you're
getting bounced to near smithereens so you start to sneak in a little bit
of posting...just enough to stop the bounce, but not enough for old Eagle
Eyes to see you. ;-)  If your saddle isn't balance, this subtle posting
would be near impossible.

Sue

sbrown@wamedes.com
Tyee Farm
Marysville, Wa.