George Washington's horsemanship

[Faster horses]

Our 11-year old grandson is here staying with us and he dislikes Cowboy U as much as we do.

Hard to understand that something that STUPID is still on the air.

I detest what they do to the horses. In fact, I detest the whole thing.

[Jeannie]

[nr]

I found a picture or statue of George with his toes NOT pointed up.
But it was done in the 1800's so I guess the fashion of horsemanship had changed by then.

[Faster horses]

nr, please don't worry about GW's toes any longer!

I think the reason that 'heels down' has become the proper way to ride is due to the fact of what happens to the calves of your legs when the heels are down vs. toes down. We have learned that putting your heels down takes the calf of your leg away from your horse. This is especially important when you give 'leg cues' to your horse. When the toes are down, the calves of your legs are 'into' your horse more. When that happens, he becomes 'dead sided', more or less, and/or might tend to be 'on the muscle' if he is that kind of horse. (GW may have even wanted his horse to be 'on the muscle' a bit!)

And, as with anything, moderation is the key. Many, many ranchers that ride a lot, ride with their feet more or less flat. I watch the people that break horses and ride with ox-bow stirrups. Their feet almost 'clutch' the stirrup with the arch of their foot and they ride with their foot pretty flat. High in the arch, but pretty even from heel to toe.

This 'heels down' thing probably didn't mean a hill of beans to GW~and has been learned in later years as breaking/riding horses became more sophisticated. Real good horseman use their legs as 'aids' to help their horses perform at peak level.

Riding with toes down, also puts you a bit foreward in the saddle and we have learned (supposedly) that you need to ride with your "W's" deep in the saddle. However, ranch guys and gals tend to ride a bit foreward so as to help their horse as much as possible and to stay off their back in tough situations.

I may have made this clear as mud, and would be glad for anyone else to wiegh in here. I think I am getting more in over my head in trying to clear this up.

It really doesn't matter, it is just that I feel sorta responsible for nr's anxiety about GW's toes!

[nr]

Putting George aside, why does the outer part of my knee hurt after riding?

[Jeannie]

[carole3218]

While I was down with pnumonia, I read a great easy reading western called Appaloosa by Robert Parker. Some of you might enjoy the easy reading on this book. It was first book of Parker's I have ever read. I am on one called "The Wild Girl" about a half wild Mexican/Indian girl in 1932. It is kind of dark reading and I will let you know how it goes as I get further into it. Anybody got any suggestions for good new western books?

Warm regards to all, it was 107* yesterday here in Greeley but I guess it is hot everywhere.

[Jinglebob]

[katrina]

Yey, Yey, Jingle.........
We're like a fine wine:


OLDER THE AGE, THE BETTER THE WINE

[Jinglebob]

AMEN! I like them a little on the older side myself. I always womder what them old men with young woman talk about. After all, you got to rest sometime!

[katrina]

Yeah, I always wondered what or if they had a conversation and what it would be of
What would a 60 year old man and a 30 year old women have in common to talk about??? Or vise versa??? Creeps me out!!!!!

[nr]