Riding style in Pantanal
The photo shows a pantaneiro's son in the tack room getting ready for a ride. I had an interesting conversation with father and son about how they ride. The style is very different.

They have small saddles (because of having to ride in water so often) and a sheep's fleece over this, because they have to spend so long in the saddle. The owner's daughter-in-law said she didn't use a fleece because although it is softer it means that your legs are spread much wider apart which is not comfortable for smaller people.

They do not rise to the trot and they have metal rings as stirrups, which evidently is safer when travelling at speed and lassoing cattle.

They all wear hats with big brims, against the sun, but not hard hats.

Finally they hold the reins in one hand. It was explained to me that the horses need to be ridden with loose reins and these should be held in one hand only. If the reins are held in two hands the horses do not understand what you want them to do.

The land that we rode through was amazing. I have put 'loads' of photos on my Flickr site! Sorry if you are not interested in horses and riding! I'm not normally, but this was an exceptional experience!