>>>I generally just grab some mane, to stay on, and let the horse work it out. My instincts tell me that trying to stay steady myself is probably the best thing I could do for them. I'm not sure that taking up contact is going to help them....?
I have wondered about this as my Corrie does stumble once or twice. She is blind in one eye and a bit lame in one hind. I lead her over really bad footing. It's not fair to have my weight too. She wears knee boots as we have some flints in the soil. She is better the more forward moving she is but one stumble and she's apprehensive again. I have been told to sit well back and keep a contact. Her owner said that if her head goes down her body will follow. I think the contact jabs her in the mouth. She does stumble being led in the paddock and once we both did. Sandy soil on top of clay is bad when wet. Having said that she is very enthusiastic trotting up hills and cantering on a straight. It will be interesting to see what she goes like in my manege when it is built. Sometimes it takes a bit of courage to ride her. Sue
