HELP! I'm gonna be horseback ***UPDATE***

KRS

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Well, I got wrangled into helping with a cattle roundup to prepare the herd for sale at auction. I haven't ridden in 20 years, and 20 years ago I rode once on one day, so my experience is basically zero.<br /><br />I'm a big guy, 6'7" 300 lbs. Ranch owner assures me she's got a horse.<br /><br />I need all the tips and help you have...<br /><br />Riding tips.<br /><br />Clothing tips, aka HOW DO I REDUCE CHAFING? I am thinking about wearing bicycle riding spandex shorts with chamois inside, then pants over that? I have two styles of pants, the first has the seam on the inner thigh turn "inwards" and the other has the seam turned "outwards". Which would be the better kind to wear? Looser pants or tighter pants?<br /><br />If no one hears from me after Thursday, then I'm succumbed to my fanny rash and died. :eek:
 

ndemge

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Re: HELP! I'm gonna be horseback ***UPDATE***

I've only ridden a couple times, and I only have one word of advice.......<br /><br />Make sure the sturrips are high enough that you can completly stand up.<br /><br /><br />Otherwise, when the horse goes into a trot, your jewls slam into the saddle....OVER AND OVER AND OVER AND OVER AND OVER....... <br /><br />...it hurt so bad...........
 

LubeDude

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Re: HELP! I'm gonna be horseback ***UPDATE***

I used to ride and owned hourses about 20 years ago, Ill give you a word of advise.<br /><br /> :eek: "DONT EVEN THINK ABOUT IT"!!! :eek: <br /><br />And thats good advice.<br /><br />It really ticks me off how some people think its funny when you cant walk the next day after a stunt like that.<br /> :confused: <br />If its more than about 30 minutes, I would pass and just say no thanks.
 

Skinnywater

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Re: HELP! I'm gonna be horseback ***UPDATE***

Have someone experienced "work the kinks out" of your horse before you mount up that morning. This simply means to have your horse worked out a few minutes UNDERSADDLE . This is for you and your horses safety. <br /><br />When you stand in your stirrups it should give you no more than 2 inches between your huevos and the saddle.<br />Retighten your cinch 10 minutes into your ride and check it through out the day. Not to tight though, he's gonna need some air to tote that cowboy.<br />If your legs get sore you're not using your azz enough. If your azz is sore you're not using your legs enough.<br />For the both of your sakes, inexperience and not knowing your ride don't get into intense situations, relaaaaxxxxx and have a good time.<br />Now won't be the time to get into races.<br />Don't(you)jamb or crowd the cattle, easy does it.<br /><br />Depending on your situation it would be nice to actually learn to ride. At some point it might be enjoyable to pick up some instruction from those around you but the focus will be on the cattle.<br /><br />Since you're the gunsel, I'd not be wearing those $600 ostrich skins to be chasing those cattle through the chutes. Time and experience(wet saddle blankets)are the only cure for saddle sores, sore muscles and acheing bones. I'd not place to much stock in Spandex for sparin' you a little burn.<br /><br />Some additional info.<br />If you're twistin' tail or proddin' you will get squirted and kicked. If you're taggin' ears, the snot will sling thick.<br />And after the long day of molestin' his herd, after dinner won't be the time to wander out into the pasture to see how tame "Pedro" is.....reckon?
 

Kenneth Brown

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Re: HELP! I'm gonna be horseback ***UPDATE***

Good advice so far. When in the saddle do a butt tuck. Imigiane the Micheal Jackson croth thrust he does where you pull your butt under you and push your kickstand out. That is how you want to ride. The horse will do 90% of the work, let him. If the horse decides he needs to move out of the way he knows what he is talking about. Otherwise stand your ground. Don't crowd the cows too much as they will panic. If you give them a little room they will usually go where you want. Wear a long sleeve shirt and pants that will stay snug. DONT wear anything that you care a whole lot about, it will get tore and pooped on, no doubt about that. Also don't try to stay clean, you're gonna get dirty, just accept it. You'll have chit all over you when you get them in the alley and chute. Make sure you do what the ranch boss says, for your safety and those around you. The cute little 150 calf IS a lot stronger than you if you let it be. If its cornered you have the control, if its running at you MOVE. You are gonna be wore out and tired when its done. You will be even more so the next couple of days. Legs, back, shoulders, neck, everything will be sore. Geuss what though. It will be a blast. I help out a friends ranch in the spring and fall working the cows and calfs. Lotta work but even more fun. You'll think about the experiance everytime you eat a steak for a while. Let us know how it turns out.
 

KRS

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Re: HELP! I'm gonna be horseback ***UPDATE***

Roger, good info. To clarify, this ranch is 21 sections leased land, it is gentle country and Thursday will be the first day. I imagine we'll be moving a herd as a group (herd = 160 cows, 60 calves, 7 bulls). I won't be running, chasing etc. I am another body in the line moving the cattle.<br /><br />I had better leave the Ostrich skins at home, :) <br /><br />I will post a follow-up on Friday or Thursday night.<br /><br />Also, I was planning a 400 mile KLR backcountry trip through the Galurio Mountains and up the back of Mount Lemmon this weekend... wonder if I'm gonna make it?
 

Boomyal

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Re: HELP! I'm gonna be horseback ***UPDATE***

#1 rule, be sure to take your Ibuprophen before you start, not after. ;) <br /><br />#2 rule, powder your behind with Gold Bond powder before you start and possibly several times throughout the day.
 

neumanns

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Re: HELP! I'm gonna be horseback ***UPDATE***

Sore...In places you never knew you had, But a good sore! ;) The next morn you will be stiff like no other time in your life...Just get yourself moving (harder done than said) and in just no time at all it will work itself out :) <br /><br />Few things in life are so simple yet so gratifying....I am envious :(
 

deputydawg

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Re: HELP! I'm gonna be horseback ***UPDATE***

I have worked cattle on horseback all my life. Started when I was 6 or so, so 29 years experience talkin here.<br /><br />1, don't worry about your build on a horse. If the owner knows a thing at all about horses he will find one that can carry you all day long.<br /><br />2, the saddle should fit you good. I prefer a loose fitting pair of denim jeans after a while out of the saddle. But the most I have been out of a saddle is a month or so. The stirrups should be high enough you can stand on the balls of your feet and raise 2 inches max off of the saddle. If the jewels are hitting, then something is wrong probably a small saddle or a high narrow tree on the saddle. If you sit back comfortably on the saddle like your supposed to, no problem. <br /><br />3, as the horse moves at a trot, this is the hardest ride. Time the horses up and down movement, and lift yourself slightly to work with the motion. If you lift your body too high the horse will be off balance and ride rougher. Also if the horse knows cows at all, he might dump you out of the saddle.<br /><br />4, Let the owner of the horse tighten and do all work with the saddle. Most of my horses never bloated when the saddle was thrown on. one of them did, which means when I would tighten the saddle he would suck in air and hold it. When I mounted he would let air out leaving me with a loose saddle. The way around this is a quick knee in his ribs just before I tightened things up. BUT riding properly this should not be a problem, unless like that horse your on a cutting horse working and sorting cattle at a fast move.<br /><br />Your rear will be a little sore, but should be nothing more than a slight ache or discomfort. Your leg muscles will ache from holding yourself and working with the horse. To prevent muscle ache from this as with all exercising, take some antihistamine before. This will keep the muscles from breaking down and hurting as bad. Same works if you go jogging after months or years of not.<br /><br />Moving that many cattle should be very easy. If the owner knows cows, you will work them slow and easy. Cows are natural herding animals. Just get them aimed the right way and they go. There may be some spurts of hard riding, like if crossing a road or if the younger ones head back on you. Let the experienced hands do this at first. It will be great for you, there is something beautiful about watching a good hand on a good horse working a cow.<br /><br />Remember if it hurts bad your doing it wrong. Shift your weight or something. Unless your cutting, roping, sorting or things like that you should have a very easy relaxing ride.<br /><br /> By the way, spandex will just bring some laughs and make your rear too slick in the saddle. You will be sliding around more than anything and cause more problems. Jeans that are comfortable to you will be best. And the seam should not rub too bad. Do avoid the inside seams just because of sweat, but the pressure should be on your cheeks just like a crappy office chair.
 

LubeDude

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Re: HELP! I'm gonna be horseback ***UPDATE***

Im sure you will enjoy what you are undertaking, but will it be worth it? Only you can tell.<br /><br />The help you are getting is good, Im just not sure they are taking your lack of riding experience and your size into account. Ive ridden before, and I wouldnt go on that long of a ride today on a bet. Not without working up to it for a few days first.
 

Chief101

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Re: HELP! I'm gonna be horseback ***UPDATE***

300# and sittin in a saddle all day...muahahahahahaha. Good luck ;)
 

neumanns

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Re: HELP! I'm gonna be horseback ***UPDATE***

Ya know az, setting here thinking about this opertunity before ya and trying to give usable advice and here is what I come up with.<br /><br />Most of the things ya need to learn are only things ya can learn in the saddle. You will be miserably sore after a days ride due to lack of expierence (tensing up when ya shouldn't & not when ya should)and the fact you will be using muscle groups you rarly use otherwise. Best I can tell ya is relax in the saddle and go with the flow, in other words dont tense up to counteract the natural gate of the horse. On the other hand ya don't want to be so relaxed that ya are just flopping all over the place either.<br /><br />The sorness will be soon forgotten but the memories will last forever and they are memories worth makin.....<br /><br />and since ya mentioned the bycicle short's....Take them with ya and give them a proper burial out in the pasture....A man of your stature has no business owning spandex<br /><br /> :D :D all in fun of course ;)
 

KRS

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Re: HELP! I'm gonna be horseback ***UPDATE***

hehehehe, Ya know I wasn't going to wear the shorts and only the shorts.... it was going to be under my jeans!<br /><br />Excellent advice, maybe I'll get some pix and post 'em.
 

KRS

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Re: HELP! I'm gonna be horseback ***UPDATE***

= 100 heifers or open cows, 60 pairs, 7 bulls
 

rayjay

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Re: HELP! I'm gonna be horseback ***UPDATE***

Take some Ben Gay. <br /><br />On second thought, take lots of Ben Gay.
 

EZLoader

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Re: HELP! I'm gonna be horseback ***UPDATE***

You've still got time to run to the video store...<br /><br />
CScattledrive.jpg
 

KRS

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Re: HELP! I'm gonna be horseback ***UPDATE***

rode from 8:30 am to 3pm.... with maybe 4 stops of 15 minutes each. Rode approx 15 miles, in steep canyons, 5 of us herded 120 head out of 3 large canyons, and into a corral with water hole.<br /><br />I rode... as you will see below, a LARGE black mule! It was surefooted and strong, didn't have any problems. The owner hunts and guides using the mule, so the mountains weren't anything new to it. We had some "mule moments" but all in all, it went well.<br /><br />I survived, my legs are a little sore... we'll see tomorrow.<br /><br />
horsepix.jpg
 

Boomyal

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Re: HELP! I'm gonna be horseback ***UPDATE***

Originally posted by azfyrfyter63:<br /> rode from 8:30 am to 3pm.... with maybe 4 stops of 15 minutes each. Rode approx 15 miles, in steep canyons, 5 of us herded 120 head out of 3 large canyons, and into a corral with water hole.<br /><br />I rode... as you will see below, a LARGE black mule! It was surefooted and strong, didn't have any problems. The owner hunts and guides using the mule, so the mountains weren't anything new to it. We had some "mule moments" but all in all, it went well.<br /><br />I survived, my legs are a little sore... we'll see tomorrow.<br /><br />
horsepix.jpg
Ahhh! What I'd give for some terrain and sky like that right now. I went out to mow the lawns today and almost had to use a winch to pull my lawnrider out of the muck. <br /><br />Glad you had a successful time of it azfyrfyter63. If you remembered the ibuprofen, you'll probably barely feel it tomorrow.
 

EZLoader

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Re: HELP! I'm gonna be horseback ***UPDATE***

I talked to a man with mules once and he said Mules were the "Cadillac" of riding animals because they had a different walk than horses and they rode extra smooth.<br /><br />Any comment?
 
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