#NoStirrupNovember Begins, Internet Explodes in Pain

That’s right, Horse Nation. The season of sore thighs is upon us, and stirrup-less riders everywhere have taken to social media to air their grievances.

(OK, so there’s a little bit of “rah-rah you can do it!” going on out there as well, but that’s mostly coming from sadistic riding instructors.)

Are you participating? Be sure to tag your social posts with #NoStirrupNovember. Each week we’ll be gathering them up in an effort to bolster your spirits, or at least help you feel less alone in your pain. It’s like your own virtual support group!

Here’s a sampling of your collective whines, goals and game plans:

Welcome November & Bye, Bye Stirrups! #nostirrupsnovember

A photo posted by Hunters Haven Farm (@hunters_haven_farm) on Nov 1, 2015 at 9:06am PST

Good-bye stirrups! See you on December 1st. @thecobes your favorite month has arrived. #nostirrupsnovember A photo posted by Rachele Burr (@rachelee_burr) on Nov 1, 2015 at 10:50am PST

I think a vital piece of tack is missing… #nostirrupsnovember

A photo posted by Morgan Parker (@imthemap14) on Nov 2, 2015 at 10:08am PST

#nostirrupsnovember #antaressaddle A photo posted by @jumpinj76 on Nov 1, 2015 at 7:12pm PST

Happy no stirrups November! #nostirrupsnovember #mystudentshateme #equestrian #huntseat #aqha #hardwork #determination #talent

A photo posted by @kendramccorkle on Nov 1, 2015 at 4:41pm PST

Happy #nostirrupsNovember girls @haleyfarber @marisafarber888 A photo posted by Waverly Ernst (@waverlyernst) on Nov 1, 2015 at 2:44pm PST

Oh god. #nostirrupsnovember #worst #strengthtraining #fitness #lordhelpus #equestrian #horselife

A photo posted by Claire (@zifftastic) on Oct 28, 2015 at 8:01pm PDT

#nostirrupsnovember A photo posted by Neil Hutchins LVT BCCAB CDTI (@neilresto) on Nov 2, 2015 at 2:16pm PST

Something is missing… #nostirrupsnovember #eventerproblems

A photo posted by Taylor Rieck (@trieckx) on Nov 1, 2015 at 9:18am PST

My favorite teaching month!! Time to get better balanced, more coordinated, and improve our independent aids! #teamveventing #nostirrupsnovember #hardworkpaysoff #thisiswhytheythinkimmean #butthentheythankmeforit A photo posted by Clare VanderWoude (@crv314) on Nov 1, 2015 at 8:45am PST

#nostirrupsnovember #equestrian #equestrianlife #horse #horseexercise #thegalloptogreatness #hunterjumper #hunter #jumper #dressage #eventing #theridersedge

A photo posted by Gabriela (Suazo) Medeiros (@thegalloptogreatness) on Oct 25, 2015 at 6:23pm PDT

Doing some pre-#nostirrupsnovember work #suckitupbuttercup A photo posted by Shannon Pannebakker (@horseygirl1212) on Oct 6, 2015 at 2:52pm PDT

#nostirrupsnovember expectations… before and after pic.twitter.com/xnklJBPT7I

— Wannabe Equestrian (@EqWannabe) October 19, 2015

Are you ready to feel the burn, fellow equestrians? #NoStirrupsNovember https://t.co/q1rwORgvC3 pic.twitter.com/UtbUEfXXyv — Horse Illustrated (@HI_mag) November 2, 2015

When you have riding tonight but you realize it’s #NoStirrupsNovember

— Megan (@meganhoggard13) November 2, 2015

first day without stirrups tmr.. kill me #NoStirrupsNovember — hannah (@HannahSchettine) November 2, 2015

feeling stiff <90min after my first session of #NoStirrupsNovember . First time I’ve dropped those irons in about a decade, & managed 20min!

— Lauren Taylor (@nerdie_chic) November 2, 2015

When your trainer informs you that you will in fact be participating in #NoStirrupsNovember ?? — Sabine (@sabine__larsen) November 2, 2015

Dreading #NoStirrupsNovember ?????

— Daniela Piovesan (@d_piovesan4) November 3, 2015

So it begins #NoStirrupsNovember #ironlegs pic.twitter.com/EbD84N4sBW — Amanda (@ProudGeekGirl) November 3, 2015

not even an hour post lesson and I’m already feeling the effects of a 5 minute #NoStirrupsNovember ??

— sydnee (@sydneeepalade) November 3, 2015

If I die you can assume it was my coaches fault #NoStirrupsNovember — Mary Anne (@_MaryAnneO) November 3, 2015

The many stages of #NoStirrupsNovember pic.twitter.com/hVpj6Ed9Zg

— Filly in the city (@fillyinthecity) November 3, 2015

Go Riding without stirrups!