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i come from a rodeo background focusing on bulls steers and not horses. now l am attempting to master or better yet survive english any tips would be helpful

You need lessons. It is not as easy a transition to make as it would superficially seem. I am a total boob but it took me about six months of lessons to really feel comfortable in an English saddle.

A chest strap will help keep the saddle from sliding backwards, which is no fun as you may have already found out.

A Western saddle is inherently balanced while an English saddle requires the rider to balance. Again, lessons help. If you have someone riding with you they will keep tipping you as you go. You'll get the hang of the tack and the habits of the horse much more quickly.

A horse is not a bull. I am sure you know this, but the relationship is nor adversarial. The horse needs to know your confident but it is a symbiotic relationship. Love your horse.

Sitting tall in the saddle will leave you freer to move and help to maintain your balance. Don't relax into the saddle as if you were riding western (not that this is all that easy to do anyway if your inflexible like me.)

I know this falls on deaf ears talking to a rodeo cowboy, but you really ought to wear a helmet and minimal protective gear. One of my close friends was paralyzed in a polo accident and you just don't realize that it happens in a nanosecond. A little protection cost you practically nothing in terms of flexibility and saves your loved ones a lot of grief.

You're light as a feather and that sure helps. I am sure you've already figured that out. It will certainly help you in moving dynamically and keeping your balance.

Gear your training to what you want to do. You're tall to be a jockey and I guess that isn't your aim. If you want to participate in dressage get yourself to a trainer who knows what they are doing. The good habits you'll pickup are worth whatever you'll have to pay.

Those are the 2 cents of a hack horseman.

pull up through your core, press with the knees, and for god' sake, shift the weight to you ass.

I taught both western pleasure and basic hunt seat for a number of years while in school. I think english riding requires a little mental "shift" in terms of position, hands and attitude. Are you riding hunt seat or saddle seat?

It depends on the guy when I have him face down me on top

MikemikeMike saidIt depends on the guy when I have him face down me on top

I was so waiting for someone to comment. LMAO
Rodeo sex is the best... hahahaha

In all honesty... I can't imagine anyone who comes from a rodeo background then to convert to english. Nothing against english riding but the two are polar opposites in mind set. Reminds me of quote my dad always used...
"You can take the boy out of the country, but you can't take the country out of the boy!" YYYYEEEEEEEHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAA

Suppose tis a little late to post anything....