A bit of gentle CC for first time poster please!

B

B&G

Member
Joined
16 April 2013
Messages
24
Location
The countryside!
Visit site
I have been lurking on here for ages, but decided I want to join in so here goes!

A little background....
I have been riding since before I could walk, competed at showjumping in my younger years. Gave it all up to go to Uni. Left Uni, got a job. Finally after a good few years got enough money to buy another horse. I bought what I thought was a lovely horse who turned out to have been drugged when I tried him and has kissing spines and all sorts of problems. He is currently having treatment so fingers crossed.
I also moved to my own place with land so bought another horse called Bert to keep Big G company. I have really lost my confidence having had some bad falls from G. So bought Bert as a confidence giver. He's a seven year old, 16.2hh, ISH, he hasn't done much and still needs some work, but has a very level head and really looks after you.

We have had a very stop start time since I got him, purely down to weather and lack of facilities. Yesterday was the second time I have ridden him since last year. Hopefully the photos below have worked, some gentle CC welcome but please be kind, my confidence is very fragile, I know I need a lot of work. I'm unfit and a bit rusty :(

Also I was thinking to change his bit to an Eggbutt french link snaffle, he is currently in a loose ring full cheek single jointed snaffle. The photos make him look like he is not very comfortable in his mouth, and I don't think it's me being heavy handed... But am happy to be corrected.

I would also like some exercises/ tips to help with him being a little dead to the leg and hard to keep in trot and canter, I'm told a few people have learnt to ride on him, so I think this might be why.

So here are some photos....

I mostly kept to walk, with a little bit of trot and canter as we are both very unfit so need to build up slowly. Some long slow summer hacks are planned :) to get us fit!

picture.php


picture.php


picture.php


picture.php


picture.php


picture.php



picture.php


Thanks for taking the time to read!
 
Hi! Well done for posting the pics, that's a very brave thing to do:) it's obvious to me that you are nervous, it's only natural to feel this way, don't let it get you down! When I ride my horse, Molly, I like to think that we are one, a partnership, and looking at your pics I can't really see this. Your upper body is very stiff and tense, your elbows locked. You are tipping forward in some of the pics, your balance needs to develop and you can not hang onto his mouth. Remember to let your weight go down into your heels and try not to grip the saddle with your knees as this helps you tip forward! Have you got someone who can lunge you? It's an ideal way- work without reins and stirrups is what you need! I do have an exercise that I do to help me relax in the saddle - in halt, let go of the reins (you may need a friend to hold unless your horse will stand) take a big deep breath in and as you do, lift both arms high above your head, and as you breath out let all your weight go down into your legs. It works wonders honestly :) and remember to hold your reins like you are carrying two tea cups! That's one from my riding instructor all those years ago lol:) hope this helps :)
 
Photos are really hard to give an impression on.

I would recommend lessons with a fun trainer who will help you work on the things you want to do and be able to give advice especially as confidence is such a fragile thing. He looks like a sweet horse and with a bit of work you will be able to go and have lots of fun.

My only thing would be your bandages have slipped, which is pretty dangerous. Frankly polo wraps like that do very little so for protection boots offer a much better deal and are much easier to put on.
 
Hi B&G, welcome to the forum. Bert looks lovely, just my type. You both look great together (oh how I dream of a figure like yours again).

He's not really strong enough to stay in an outline at the moment and, though photos are just a moment in time, you seem to be holding him in. So I suggest lifting your hands a little (thumbs on top) and letting out the rein. Go with his movement, let him swing underneath you. Look UP and keep your shoulders back. Plenty of hacking will build him up so it's good that you have that in hand for the future.
 
LB1983 said:
Hi! Well done for posting the pics, that's a very brave thing to do:) it's obvious to me that you are nervous, it's only natural to feel this way, don't let it get you down! When I ride my horse, Molly, I like to think that we are one, a partnership, and looking at your pics I can't really see this. Your upper body is very stiff and tense, your elbows locked. You are tipping forward in some of the pics, your balance needs to develop and you can not hang onto his mouth. Remember to let your weight go down into your heels and try not to grip the saddle with your knees as this helps you tip forward! Have you got someone who can lunge you? It's an ideal way- work without reins and stirrups is what you need! I do have an exercise that I do to help me relax in the saddle - in halt, let go of the reins (you may need a friend to hold unless your horse will stand) take a big deep breath in and as you do, lift both arms high above your head, and as you breath out let all your weight go down into your legs. It works wonders honestly :) and remember to hold your reins like you are carrying two tea cups! That's one from my riding instructor all those years ago lol:) hope this helps :)
Click to expand...

Yeh completely agree with what you have said, I don't feel or look relaxed. Which is so annoying as I used to be the most confident rider, but since I have some falls from my other horse I just haven't felt the same. I will see if my other half will lunge me... I plan on getting an instructor but finances are tight at the moment, so he will have to do for now:)
 
LEC said:
Photos are really hard to give an impression on.

I would recommend lessons with a fun trainer who will help you work on the things you want to do and be able to give advice especially as confidence is such a fragile thing. He looks like a sweet horse and with a bit of work you will be able to go and have lots of fun.

My only thing would be your bandages have slipped, which is pretty dangerous. Frankly polo wraps like that do very little so for protection boots offer a much better deal and are much easier to put on.
Click to expand...


Will be getting lessons as soon as possible, but finances are a little tight at the moment. I am looking forward to getting a good instructor though as there is nothing like having someone on the ground!
Yes, noted on the bandages, I have used them a million times before, but these ones are new and I just didn't put them on tight enough, was very helpful of my OH to mention this once I had finished! I do mostly use boots but just got carried away with snazzing him up!
 
9tails said:
Hi B&G, welcome to the forum. Bert looks lovely, just my type. You both look great together (oh how I dream of a figure like yours again).

He's not really strong enough to stay in an outline at the moment and, though photos are just a moment in time, you seem to be holding him in. So I suggest lifting your hands a little (thumbs on top) and letting out the rein. Go with his movement, let him swing underneath you. Look UP and keep your shoulders back. Plenty of hacking will build him up so it's good that you have that in hand for the future.
Click to expand...

Thanks! He is a lovely horse, such a dude!... I'm steadily destroying my figure with chocolate biscuits this evening :)

No he doesn't stay in a consistent outline, which as you say is to be expected, I think the photos are a little deceiving. But I agree I am maybe holding him a little - which is a confidence thing as much as anything I think.
I am a horror for letting my thumbs drop down - bad habit! Will definitely take all comments on board thank you!
 
Just a quick comment regarding the bit, when using a fulmer you should have keepers to hold the cheeks in place and this may be why he is not that happy in his mouth, the bit will be moving too much.
 
Oh he's lovely! Well done for being brave enough to post this, you will get some really really good advice from this knowledgeable lot! It might be worth looking up a PC/RC instructor, many of them are really good at building confidence :) Hope you have lots of fun with him!
 
Welcome to the forum, lovely pictures. You two are going to be good together.

If finances are a bit tight at the moment, get your OH to video your sessions so you can see how he's going and have a look at your own faults. I'm my own severest critic and seeing how my mistakes affect my horse is pretty helpful to me.
 
Spot on horse rider! Videoing is a great way to see what's going on as things feel different when your on board 😳
Do you have any local horsey mates that can pop over for now?
 
Hey, well done for posting. No cc from me as I'm really not qualified but just want to say that your confidence will return. Mine did and I used to feel sick at the thought of just getting on! Good luck, you look like you'll be a great team :) x
 
I am also not qualified but well done for being brave with pictures, totally understand how your confidence is affecting you from others comments, I do all those things myself so don't worry, there are a lot of people with this problem!

An OH with video phone can work wonders when you can't get an instructor in, as I am always convinced I am sitting up straight then I see me hunching again!
 
Ooo I worked out how to do a multi quote!

horserider said:
Welcome to the forum, lovely pictures. You two are going to be good together.

Thank you, I hope so!

If finances are a bit tight at the moment, get your OH to video your sessions so you can see how he's going and have a look at your own faults. I'm my own severest critic and seeing how my mistakes affect my horse is pretty helpful to me.
Click to expand...

Yeh that's a really good idea, luckily he is a photographer so pretty sure he has a video function on his posh camera. I'm the same I am so critical of myself, especially as I used to be quite a good rider, I get frustrated with myself. Which is stupid really.

Bigbenji said:
Spot on horse rider! Videoing is a great way to see what's going on as things feel different when your on board 😳
Do you have any local horsey mates that can pop over for now?
Click to expand...

Unfortunately I don't really know too many people in the area as I'm not from here originally. But poor other half is my stable hand so gets roped into helping :)

Ilovefoals said:
Hey, well done for posting. No cc from me as I'm really not qualified but just want to say that your confidence will return. Mine did and I used to feel sick at the thought of just getting on! Good luck, you look like you'll be a great team :) x
Click to expand...

Thanks very much. I do already feel better about getting on a horse. I have gone from feeling physically sick and wanting to cry. To mildly apprehensive which I think is a move in the right direction :)

mandwhy said:
I am also not qualified but well done for being brave with pictures, totally understand how your confidence is affecting you from others comments, I do all those things myself so don't worry, there are a lot of people with this problem!

Felt very scary posting pictures, but I thought I might as well just go for it. People on here always seem to have helpful comments which is what I need! I know I will over come my problems, as it's that or give up riding.

An OH with video phone can work wonders when you can't get an instructor in, as I am always convinced I am sitting up straight then I see me hunching again!
Click to expand...

Well put him to work asap!

Thank you everyone for your kind comments!
 
Welcome. He looks lovely and I'm sure you'll be out having great fun with him soon.
My thoughts on getting him more forward from the leg: I have had this problem with my mare so here is what my instructor suggested and it worked. Lazy horses need less leg, try not to "row" him along every stride, this might take a lot of concentration at first. When you ask him to go Squeeze then if hew doesn't go kick, then tap with stick. You need to be fairly quick and not wait too long for him to go/not. Do loads of transitions and repeat, he should eventually get the hang of it and go from a squeeze.
Also if he drops out of canter quickly ask him to step back up. Some people like to get them rebalanced etc, but with a lazy horse it is better to get a messy transition than to let them trot, you can always work on the transitions separately.
Hope that helps and isn't too long. I have been working on this for 3 months and we were bouncing round the school yesterday :)
 
muddy_grey said:
Welcome. He looks lovely and I'm sure you'll be out having great fun with him soon.
My thoughts on getting him more forward from the leg: I have had this problem with my mare so here is what my instructor suggested and it worked. Lazy horses need less leg, try not to "row" him along every stride, this might take a lot of concentration at first. When you ask him to go Squeeze then if hew doesn't go kick, then tap with stick. You need to be fairly quick and not wait too long for him to go/not. Do loads of transitions and repeat, he should eventually get the hang of it and go from a squeeze.
Also if he drops out of canter quickly ask him to step back up. Some people like to get them rebalanced etc, but with a lazy horse it is better to get a messy transition than to let them trot, you can always work on the transitions separately.
Hope that helps and isn't too long. I have been working on this for 3 months and we were bouncing round the school yesterday :)
Click to expand...

Ah yes ace advice thanks. That's sort of what I have been doing, except I haven't been carrying a stick. Will try with a stick and see if that helps, probably wont even need it, sometimes just the fact they know you have it makes them a bit more quick to go up a gear :)
He's way more quick off the leg on a hack - as most are. So he knows what I want but I think is just a tad lazy :D
 
I think you look great together! My only criticism is that you need to think about having your toes facing forward - it makes a huge difference to your position! If you do that and sit up straight it will all come together very quickly.
He looks lovely and very kind.
Please, please do not use those bandages like that. If you bandage below the fetlock when riding you can cause a lot of damage!
Good luck and just enjoy!
 
LB1983 said:
If I lived anywhere near, I would quite happily lunge you:) what would we do without our lovely OH's?!
Click to expand...

Ah thanks... Yes poor man... I don't think he would date another horsey girl again if he ever decides to get rid of me :)

huntley said:
I think you look great together! My only criticism is that you need to think about having your toes facing forward - it makes a huge difference to your position! If you do that and sit up straight it will all come together very quickly.
He looks lovely and very kind.
Please, please do not use those bandages like that. If you bandage below the fetlock when riding you can cause a lot of damage!
Good luck and just enjoy!
Click to expand...

Yeh, I noticed my toes along with all the other very stupid mistakes :o I have taken everyones advice and we went so much better today! :D
I'm so pleased with him, I have started riding with a stick which has made a massive difference. I don't have to use it, just the fact that it's there makes him so much more forward. Which means I have stopped leaning forward to try and keep impulsion, I hardly have to use my legs (no more 'rowing' along as someone else said) which means I can concentrate on my leg position. Which makes me feel more balanced and secure. I have been religiously keeping my thumbs on top, which has really helped. It's not exactly perfect but just a few little changes have really made a massive difference already. Thanks everyone!

Regarding the bandages, I didn't put them on below the fetlock, they slipped. He does have white socks too so it makes them look like they slipped more than they did. I've used bandages quite a bit in the past and never had them slip before. However I do normally use boots, so just wont bother with the bandages again - they look nice but boots are much easier :)

Will see if lovely OH might video me and if it's not entirely horrendous I might post it on here for a bit more advice :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top