At 09:36:44 on 16.05.10, Debby wrote:
Yesterday I had my first gallop while holding the reins. It was more difficult than I thought. I was bouncing up and down like a mad man, and the harder I tried to keep in the saddle the more I bounced. Does someone has any tips on how to behave in the saddle, or how to stay as still as possible?

At 09:50:52 on 16.05.10, Flicka wrote:
Yes you want to take the forward seat-get up on your knees so your weight goes down through your leg. And keep your joints soft to they act as shock absorbers. Practice this at the slower gaits first to get a feel for it. Here's Ollie Towend eventing at Rolex Kentucky- showing you the forward seat with a longer stirrup as opposed to the short jockey length.

At 14:39:26 on 16.05.10, farasi wrote:
In the forward position you also need have your reins bridged and pop a finger through a neck strap, with your hands sat low on either side of the withers. You need to help your horse balance. When the horse pulls forward you need to make sure it pulls you down in to the saddle not your upper body forward. You also can control the speed with your hands remaining where they are by turning your hands up and down. You then have the option of 1/4 speed 1/2 speed and 3/4 speed. Gallop is a 4 time gait, and very different from canter. A TB naturally balances easy in this speed they are designed for it. The likes of a warmblood finds it harder and feels quite unsafe until they work out how to balance. A lot of horses do not actually gallop naturally with a rider on.

At 14:41:50 on 16.05.10, farasi wrote:
A picture for you (I'm in the middle). I love this shot of the horses.

At 16:52:54 on 16.05.10, Debby wrote:
Many thanks for your advice. I find it more difficult than I thought, but I have come pretty far in the 6 months that I ride. I shall keep it all in mind.

At 16:58:11 on 16.05.10, Debby wrote:
And many thanks for the pictures. They really show me what to do in a gallop. To bad i am riding just once a week.

At 20:23:03 on 31.05.10, Debby wrote:
Your advise here really helped me. Thank you very much for all the help I've got.

At 15:43:08 on 14.06.10, appy Karen wrote:
I have a young horse who has just decided to put in some bucks when we try for a gallop, ive not fallen yet but have come very close, this has knocked my confidence for a burton any advice I keep avioding a gallop which I used to enjoy.

At 00:05:42 on 20.06.10, Rahara wrote:
He He this sound's really fun ..light seat and if you feel a buck heel's down and squeeze the rein's not jab ..and as to appy Karen sit the buck you can ..it also knocked my confidence sit deep heel's down and talk ..that's what I've found....

At 10:08:15 on 20.06.10, NMH wrote:
Agree with Rahara, I had a dreadful bucker, immediately you feel it coming, sit deep & tall, & keep the horse's head well up without being rough, whilst still (if you've the presence of mind to) keeping your leg on & pushing on. If they are going forward properly it's harder for them to buck effectively, & the head up restricts the back freedom they need for the bigggest bucks. Good luck. Personally I also use my voice, growl or something, but that's instinctive!!