That is basically an automatic release, right? Taking your hands off the neck and placing them to the side(I know it's more complicated than that, but that's the gist of it, right?)? I know what an auto release looks like and what it is, but I've never done it, so I don't know exactly how to do it or what it feels like. Could someone explain a little bit?

One more little thing, I half-did this yesterday while I was riding. I did a figure eight over a 2' jump in the middle of the arena, changing leads every time I jumped it(this is a real accomplishment with Gilly). I used an opening rein, but I left my other hand on her neck. I didn't feel off-balance, but maybe I was concentrating too hard on turning after the jump.

Sorry if it's a little confusing, I didn't know how to put some of it.

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I suggest you keep using a crest release.

A good exercise you can do is to go in two point while walk, trot and cantering is to take your hands of your horses neck and hold them at the side of the neck (without touching his neck) and keeping your balance and heels down. Doing this exercise and others will help you develop a better leg and balance without harming your horse.

If you want to learn the automatic release you need to find a good trainer to help you with it, having a qualified pair of eyes on the ground will help you learn to do it properly.

For now stick with the crest release, and work hard on your legs and position over jumps. -Sky

What the author is probably saying is that you need to do exercises on the flat, like riding without stirrups, and over fences - jumping without stirrups and reins over grids/gymnastics - to develop your leg.

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YOu can put your hands anywhee but personally I dont like out to the side my balance seems out of wack when i  do out to side. I would remove irons and reins w/t/c/ low jump for hte next week or so without. NOw low jump is small like 6'' max x rail... set up a alley if necessary. But  until you become proficeant  have someone there  watching you  incase you take a headder.


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The picture below illustrates Morris demonstrating the beginner position of "crest release".

*if your legs swing back to often, maybe you are leaning to much forward. focus on your seat. and posture.

riding isn't the only way to improve leg strenght, you must also do other excersizes. try jogging in a cross country matter, only using the tip of your toes and no heals while you run. go to a gym and strenghten yourself.

try to touch the tip of your boot with your far opposite hand *while on your horse* witouth moving your leg and only using your upper body to do so. do this as a warm up before you start doing jumps.

try to hug your horse's neck reaching forward and trying to touch its chest witouth moving your legs, and keeping them in their popper position.

be sure you have someone there to help, incase your horse gets jumpy about it.

im not sure if im clear enough. let me know and ill explain some more.

btw one of the most recent horse illustrated magazine had a good article about excersizes to improve an independent seat. by having a good seat, you will have a good leg position, as you cannot have one witouth another, they are both related in a way.

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I would love to have someone lunge me while I'm riding, and I've asked all of my parents to(all of them know how and used to ride horses), but they all say they won't because they say it scares the crap out of them to see me ride without stirrups and/or reins. How my dad can stand in the round pen when I'm cantering bareback and bridleless then, I don't know.

I'll try the jumping chute thing with no hands and stirrups, but i can't do just regular gymnastics with no reins, because my horse is like the least honest horse ever. She'll do anything to get out of a jump. I ride without stirrups at the end of most rides, and I've tried a couple jumps, but its really hard to jump without stirrups in my saddle, because it's really slippery.

As for the exercises on and off the horse, I do those exercises every time I ride(the touch your toes, hug your horse stuff), and I just started weightlifting in off-season. I hurt in more places then I can imagine right now. Mostly my legs, but my arms are getting there. I decided to torture myself some more today and rode after school bareback. Just for about 10 minutes, though. Anyway, getting off topic here. My legs will soon be stronger, and maybe that will keep it from swinging.

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And honestly, any saddle  is slippery in jeans. If you have 1/2 chaps use them, or perhaps ask for a pair for Christmas. They'd help you grip. Although, stirrupless tends to amplify your problems and helps you feel exactly what's going on. If you have to, take your stirrups completely off for a week and see how it goes. Remember to grip through your calves which will help keep your legs from swinging as much, as pinching with your knees is a huge factor in swinging legs.

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If you act like you've only got fifteen minutes, it'll take all day. Act like you've got all day and it'll take fifteen minutes.~ Monty Roberts

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