Perfect Fit
In this issue we will talk about how horses are measured, and what makes a horse and rider a good fit.
When a horse and rider are the right size for each other they both feel balanced. Notice how you feel when you are sitting on a horse. Shift your weight from one side to the other. Does it feel like you could knock the horse over? Or does it feel like he doesn't even notice you are up there? Try sitting on many horses of different sizes. You will soon find that some horses make you feel more or less secure than others, just because of their size.
The following exercises will give you an idea of how well you are proportioned to the horse you are sitting on. While mounted on the horse, take your feet out of the stirrups, flex your heel down, and stretch your legs down as far as you can. A rider fits a horse well when his feet don't hang below the horse's belly (or barrel) but do reach close to the horse's elbow (the joint at the top of a horse's front leg). Keeping your legs locked in this position while doing the rest of these exercises will also improve your seat and balance.
Next, reach down around the widest part of the horse's neck and give him a big hug. Be sure not to let your legs swing back behind you. Your hands should be able to touch, and you should not feel like you are going to fall on your head if the horse moves.
Now sit up straight and extend your left arm straight out. Keeping equal weigh on your seat bones, swing your left arm back to the left side of the horse's rump. You should be able to reach the large hip joint there. Do not let your right leg swing forward. If you are limber enough, you may be able to touch the very center of the rump. Repeat this exercise on the right side.
If you know the horse well enough, and have someone at the horse's head, try lying back across the horse's rump. Your head should not pass the base of the horse's tail. Once you get used to it, this position can be fairly comfortable, especially without the saddle on.
Now put your feet back in the stirrups. This is called "picking up" your stirrups. If you have done the exercises correctly, your stirrups may feel a little shorter. Keep your legs stretched down, and flex your ankle more as you pick the stirrups up. Stand in the stirrups with your heels flexed down, and reach up the crest of the horse's neck toward his ears. You should be able to comfortably reach halfway up his neck.
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