Hard riding no saddles or stirrups

[John Conyard]

Good evening Garrelt,

"It can also be that I've learned a different way of riding"


I'm beginning to think that every rider finds their own way to hang on and not fall off, but that certain rules do hold true. I find it hard to explain something as natural as riding. However when bouncing around bareback I try a keep a deep seat and straight leg. On a four horned saddle my legs naturally bend and brace up under the front horns when cornering etc. But my legs stay relaxed below the knee and the spurs stay away from the horses sides. In a steppe saddle without stirrups I revert to a straight leg.

After a very hard day using a four horned saddle I have got cramp in my legs. It's agony. I've never spent more than a few hours in the steppe saddle, but found it less demanding on the muscles.