Happy December 1: We Made It Through Another #NoStirrupNovember!

Pat yourselves on the back, Horse Nation —  December 1 never looked so good, and by “good” we mean strong, with a well-developed leg, independent seat and core of steel.

No-Stirrup November has its critics, and we understand why. Without a good game plan and just a desire to yank the stirrups off the saddle, it’s easy to get into trouble, from a sore-backed horse to a bad experience to even falling off (not that we don’t fall off all the time anyway, but you know what we mean).

But when you do No-Stirrup November right, the rewards can be truly amazing. Check out some of the social media highlights from the conclusion of #NoStirrupNovember, from the new heights we reached…

Last day of no stirrup November!#nostirrupnovember #theo#jump#equestrian #horsesofinstagram #riding#equinesofinstagram #painful#lol#like#folliw#followforfollow #horsebackriding

A post shared by Equestrian Lover (@horse.rider.harmony) on Nov 30, 2017 at 12:39pm PST

Argh because the weather is being rude and raining, yesterday was probably my last ride this month! Woohoo! Survived the whole month without stirrups on Casper. I'm definitely going to gallop Casper more (with stirrups next time though ????) because he loves it so much! He feels like he is going much faster than he looks. He did nearly beat Scooby (ex race horse) in a few races though!

A post shared by Sarah and Casper (@myponyeatstoomuch) on Nov 28, 2017 at 4:36pm PST

Awkward knees???? • • • • -personal account @tristan.compton -main riding account @tristan.sarah.equestrian #horsesofinstagram #horsesofinsta #horsesofig #horsesofamerica #horsesofcalifornia #nostirrupnovember #hunterjumper #excaliber #hannovarian #escudoii #blackhorse

A post shared by TKC????????|15| Fun Pics And Edits (@tkc.equestrian.photography) on Nov 27, 2017 at 4:20pm PST

This counts as #nostirrupnovember right?? #horse #horsebackriding #hunt #huntseat #hunter #hunterjumper #pony #equine #equitation #equestrian

A post shared by Lauren Cornwell (@the_equus_life) on Nov 27, 2017 at 1:52pm PST

Penny and Winetou showing us how #nostirrupnovember is done! Schooling with @julianagler330

A post shared by Kenilworthstables (@kenilworthstables) on Nov 22, 2017 at 3:49pm PST

…to even the youngest among us learning the benefits:

6 year old Kinsley already understands soft supple hands and how to ask a horse to move. Naturally off the leg. #nostirrupsnoproblem #nostirrupnovember #dressage #dressagehorse #dressagehorsesofinstagram #adventurer #jointheadventure???? #pemberleyridingschool

A post shared by Little Squirrel (@pemberley_riding_school) on Nov 30, 2017 at 5:01pm PST

There are only a few days left of #nostirrupnovember and we are willing to bet the #HeartlandEQ riders are excited to hear that ???? They have improved so much over the last month and we are so proud of them! You have to suffer if you want nice strong legs ???? ???? ???? ???? ???? #horse #horses #horsebackriding #horsesofinstagram #halfhalt #trot #ridinglessons #whitby #brooklin #oshawa #ashburn #durhamregion #stirrups

A post shared by Heartland Equestrian (@heartlandequestrian.ca) on Nov 28, 2017 at 6:43am PST

There were some moments of self-doubt:

My 9yo dressage student decided on her last day of #NoStirrupNovember that it was no longer fun. Lol #LeaveYourStirrupsInTheBarn

— ★☆Nicole Griffin★☆ (@TruTXAngel) November 26, 2017

I've been ruined by #nostirrupnovember ????

— Claudia McDougall (@cj_mcdougall) November 20, 2017

Last ride of #nostirrupNovember and I’m thanking god that November is over:)

— Anna☁️ (@draft_horse_gil) November 30, 2017

But for most of us, those crossed leathers were a badge of honor that we wore proudly…

Last couple days of #nostirrupnovember ! #hunterlanestables #horsesofhls @berit.hall

A post shared by Hunterlane Stables (@hunterlanestables) on Nov 29, 2017 at 7:24am PST

Today is the last day of #nostirrupnovember! Did you participate?!? ????

A post shared by Crystal Theisen (@jubileewest_) on Nov 30, 2017 at 3:14pm PST

…except for those of us who took them off completely.

#nostirrupnovember turned into #nosaddle #november. what next? #nobridle december? ???? #konikhagis #equestrian #equestrianlife #equestrianlifestyle #horse #horses #horsesofinstagram #horsebackriding #dressagehorse #dressage #eskadron #eskadronfleurdelys #roeckl #roecklequestrian

A post shared by pétersdóttir (@petersdottir) on Nov 26, 2017 at 3:26pm PST

Look ma no stirrups! #nostirrupnovember ????

A post shared by Jill simpson (@jilliebeean) on Nov 26, 2017 at 2:41pm PST

My part for #nostirrupnovember #theadventuresofollieandmolly #bathequestriancenter #draftcross #shirefoxmerlo #shirecross

A post shared by Molly Forney (@fifithehuntress) on Nov 26, 2017 at 9:45am PST

We made it another year — we’re another year stronger, wiser, and more ready than ever to be the best riders our horses deserve.

Did some #nostirrupnovember with Bronster ????

A post shared by Caitlin Hubbard (@katysugs) on Nov 24, 2017 at 5:36pm PST

Enjoy those stirrups… and go riding!