11/05/2024
Every year on November 1st, riders around the world drop their stirrups and commit to the challenge of No-Stirrup November. The intention behind this initiative is to improve the seat and leg. But is committing to sore inner thighs for an entire month really worth the hype?
Riding without stirrups is a valuable tool for enhancing your seat, as long as it’s done correctly. However, just as with any physical training, you can’t jump from zero to a hundred overnight and the quality of the exercise is far more important than the quantity for your own body’s sake, but also for your horse’s!
The problem is that when pushing yourself to ride without stirrups beyond your ability, you will end up gripping with your thighs in an attempt to maintain balance. This will lead to tightness in your hips and rigidity in your lower back, making it impossible to achieve a supple seat. Not only does this have a detrimental effect on your own back health, but it affects your horse too...
Remember, a pliable seat is crucial for allowing your horse's back to oscillate and if you’re stiff through your pelvis, hips, and thighs, it will interfere with your horse's movement and overall comfort.
A sudden and drastic shift in your seat like this will result in tension in your horse’s body in an effort to compensate for your instability in the saddle.
So, rather than pulling the stirrups off of your saddle for the entire month of November, consider gradually increasing your tolerance for riding without stirrups throughout the year. Focus on strengthening your body and core, and work on your proprioception out of the saddle if you're looking to develop a better seat.
You can enhance your seat without risking your horse's comfort and health.
So let's rethink No-Stirrup November - Don’t be a pain in your horse's back!
