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Hello to all my favorite students and families!
Long-time students know that November means the start of a time-honored tradition: No-Stirrup Month. It is the best of times, it is the worst of times, as we all attempt to become one with the horse's back - and learn why cowboys walk the way they do.
When I was a kid learning to ride, I found no-stirrup work to be a s t r u g g l e. Now, as a much less fit adult, I really love it. Whenever I'm feeling wobbly in the saddle, or things just aren't clicking, I'll drop my stirrups for 10 or 15 minutes. Balance improves, new muscles activate, and by the end of it, I've suddenly remembered how to ride! (Romeo is always grateful.)
No-Stirrup Month is meant to serve as a similar reminder. Riding without stirrups, whether you love it or not, is an essential skill to learn. It makes you a better rider and partner for your horse. And the consistency turns the hard stuff into easy stuff. It is easy to convince yourself that "I can't do this," but with enough patient practice, anything is possible.
In the meantime, be gentle with yourself, experiment, and laugh when things get messy. You can commiserate about wobbly trots and achy legs, sure, but be proud of them, too. They're a sign that you're getting out of your comfort zone, and that's how progress begins!
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