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.
