No Stirrup November at Dale Rosa Equine

There’s no better way to sharpen a rider’s feel than taking away their stirrups. No Stirrup November pushes every student — and every muscle — to get honest about balance, alignment, and awareness.

Wednesday night’s lesson said it all. The western saddles were traded out for English saddles with the irons removed, and the girls went to work. The before photos show the usual starting points — uneven legs, space between the rider’s calf and the horse’s barrel, toes turned out, and shoulders a little out of rhythm. The after photos show what awareness and repetition can do. Legs hang evenly, calves stay close, toes point forward, and shoulders follow the horse’s motion with control and confidence.

We focused on:

• Balance: staying centered through transitions and turns.

• Seat bones: using both evenly for communication.

• Legs: staying relaxed and connected without gripping.

• Eyes: staying forward to improve direction.

• Shoulders: aligning with the horse’s body.

• Weight shifts: feeling how every movement affects the horse’s balance.

  
  

No stirrup work shows every weakness, but it also shows real progress. It builds strength, coordination, and a level of body awareness riders can’t find any other way.

By the end of the ride, both students had improved posture, quieter hands, and a stronger connection to their horse.

This is why I love No Stirrup November. It’s not punishment — it’s progress. It teaches riders to feel instead of fix, to move with their horse instead of against them.

We’ll keep the challenges going all month long with barrels, poles, and balance drills.