>> http://www.hnakkar.is/myndir/Dupont_flex_tree.jpg >> >> The stirrup hangers are way up front, so that would be a brida saddle, >> not >> the jineta balanced style ride.
> in the middle of the centered-riding instructor's program atm, Great! Too bad you don't have your camera! The pictures can be invaluable in helping to retain information and to use for baselines. > been checking my riders' vertical alignment of "building blocks" with a > straight stick, so i am fairly confident of my findings. As previously mentioned, you can sometimes make yourself go in alignment in a brida saddle, but it's not the same as having the natural balance in a jineta saddle. Very different, and very different impact on the horse. This is one of the reasons that the icelandic-style riders ride brida saddles and brida style. They can impact the horse mechanically for gait instead of relying on natural gait and natural gait training. Take, for instance, this image of an icelandic saddle (not sure which brand). The first half is how the saddle is pictured on the website. The second half is how the saddle might sit on a horse. The stirrup placement in the first half is definitely forward, brida style. With the saddle placed on the horse, it would *appear* that the stirrups hang more centered, but they are still afixed to the front. The horse under this saddle would be negatively impacted by the rider's weight on his mouth and on the weaker part of his back, even if he has attempted to ride in a balanced seat (shoulder, hip, heel). Judy http://iceryder.net http://clickryder.com
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