A post for those who can ride.......

B

Berkeley

Well-Known Member
Joined
7 May 2009
Messages
835
Location
Kent
Visit site
Ok bottom line I don't know how to ride. At all. I can sit and not fall off but nothing else. I have been successfully doing this *touch wood) for 4 years.

I have never been (on horseback) to a show, or an event or x-country, or dressage or veteran show - nothing. The main issues are:

i) I have ever been taught how to canter so its just a case of me and my mare having an understanding that when I shorten the reins she goes. Then we spend the following minute negotiating about her speed - she usually wins.

ii) She doesn't trott. At all. Its walk or canter with her just wanting to go faster. We can't hack out with people because when they trott she just pulls and pulls and tries to overtake, or swing her bum right out so its impossible for me to control her. If you kick her back in she thinks "ahha! that means go!" This leads to me almost standing in the saddle bracing myself. I can't hold her back for too long as my muscles are not that strong so I have to shout to ask people to stop.

iii) I have only jumped twice in my life. And I am seriously rubbish.

iv) I am a nervous wreck when I am out. It takes me a good 30 mins to calm down.

I keep thinking about having lessons but my mare is 21, she gets ridden once a week and rushes ALL THE TIME. The lessons I have been in consist of me spending most of the lesson pulling her back and trying to slow her down. She just won't learn.

Has anyone been in this positon? i.e. too late to learn on an old ex-racer menatlist?! I know I could ride other horses but I have to pay for that. Is there any hope?!
 
I don't think that it's too late, my old pony was retired at 27 so your mare could have many years of ridden work to come. :) I would try to find a nice instructor who will come and give you lessons on your horse. You might need to ride a shoolmaster to get the idea of what it should 'feel' like and your mare might need some schooling from the instructor. It will be worth it as you will be more in control and safer. It would also mean that you could hack with others and go to local shows etc... if you want.

It would be money and time well spent. :D
 
We always think we and they are too old. I agree with the other posters, get going with lessons and whilst you are at it stop putting yourself down. Everyone comes with their own level of experience. Apparently (not sure) if you spend 10,000 hours at any sport you will become an expert. LOL, can't believe I'd ever be in this category but who knows!!!
 
ginadrummond said:
We always think we and they are too old. I agree with the other posters, get going with lessons and whilst you are at it stop putting yourself down. Everyone comes with their own level of experience. Apparently (not sure) if you spend 10,000 hours at any sport you will become an expert. LOL, can't believe I'd ever be in this category but who knows!!!
Click to expand...

:)

Thanks. Don't get me wrong, I am not feelnig sorry for myself. I do actually laugh at myself. But, on a serious note, I love horses yet I can't actually ride. I worry if I jump her she'll break. How sad!
 
Never ever too late!

But I have a suggestion for you to kick things off - find someone who gives lessons on a mechanical horse/horse simulator. They are really good as the feeling is pretty realistic but the instructor can stand beside you and make adjustments etc as you are trotting/cantering.

The modern ones even canter etc if you give the right command so you can practice getting the 'buttons' right.

Once youve done that you might feel more able to have some lessons on your neddie

:)
 
OK, I understand that you are not feeling sorry for yourself but you CAN ride as you are better and more knowledgeable than a complete beginner so that's a start. I've got my PTT and Stage 3 Care but would never be able to progress to Stage 3 riding. Mind you was 30 years ago LOL.
 
0ldmare said:
Never ever too late!

But I have a suggestion for you to kick things off - find someone who gives lessons on a mechanical horse/horse simulator. They are really good as the feeling is pretty realistic but the instructor can stand beside you and make adjustments etc as you are trotting/cantering.

The modern ones even canter etc if you give the right command so you can practice getting the 'buttons' right.

Once youve done that you might feel more able to have some lessons on your neddie

:)
Click to expand...

Do they???? sounds wonderful and a great way to learn to get a seat (or rediscover one through previously not present flab)
 
Berkeley said:
:)

Thanks. Don't get me wrong, I am not feelnig sorry for myself. I do actually laugh at myself. But, on a serious note, I love horses yet I can't actually ride. I worry if I jump her she'll break. How sad!
Click to expand...

You sit on a horse therefore you can ride :)
Its not to late for either of you, just book some lessons...you`ll have lots of fun!
I`m not the best rider, i`ve been riding for 21 years, am a happy hacker not interested in competing :) but love jumping, I`ve backed and brought on my two but am not experienced to produce horses for competing.... everyones at different levels...its not a big deal.

I like the simulator idea!
 
Well sitting on and not falling off is a pretty good start! :D

I wouldn't worry about not competing etc. Lots of people don't, some are happy hackers, some (like me) love schooling and training but aren't that fussed about going to shows. If it's something you would like to try one day then great, but if not don't worry.

I've had a few friends over the years who have been involved in the RDA and what I've learnt from them is that ANYONE can learn to ride. Some of us won't be grand prix dressage riders, or ride at HOYS, or jump more than 1'. But if you are willing to learn then you can definitely improve.

I would think of something you would like to aim for (achieving a steady canter in a field, a veteran class at a local show, or jumping a little course - whatever appeals to you) and find an instructor who is willing to help you get there. The right instructor is absolutely key - find someone that you click with and who knows how to help. Maybe someone on here knows of a good person in your area?
 
You sound a bit like me!!:D I can't really ride either and my horse likes to charge around everywhere as fast as possible!
Only concern I have about lessons is that if, like me, you only ride once or twice a week (and one of those is probably a lesson) then will the horse ever learn anything or will it (and me:o) just forget it by the next week?:confused:
 
Ok - this is my instructor head on now - First and foremost you are never to old or too late to take lessons.

You seem to want to learn how to do things and that's the biggest hurdle an instructor has ... the difference between someone that will stop and listen and put some trust in you and what you are telling them and some one that thinks they want to know ... doesn't listen and doesn't do their home work inbetween lessons.

Both you and your horse has some massive issues and you need to find an instructor that will be able to commicate with you in a manner you find enjoyable, who will take the time to tell you why things are happening and explain the principles and results of your actions and of your horse to you. It's a bit of a domino effect. I supect I would put you in the section - an uneducated rider ! Take time out and go right back to basics, if you can go and have a lesson or two at a reputable riding school where you can sit on a schooled horse and 'feel' what is happening underneath you then this will help.

Take today as the first day of the new begining ! Good luck and keep us posted on your improvements !
 
chickeninabun said:
You sound a bit like me!!:D I can't really ride either and my horse likes to charge around everywhere as fast as possible!
Only concern I have about lessons is that if, like me, you only ride once or twice a week (and one of those is probably a lesson) then will the horse ever learn anything or will it (and me:o) just forget it by the next week?:confused:
Click to expand...

Right this seems to be a bit of an issue with some of you !

It's perfectly ok if you only ride 1 or 2 times a week - what matters more is than you follow through with your lesson - do your homework and always ride in the same consistant manner - it's no good if your horse wants to charge off on day 1 and you say No and then on day 2 the horse wants to charge off and you say No - half hearted and let them get away with it - you must ride with the same goal in your head until it becomes the normal.
Keep your lessons up on a regular basis and do your homework ! Majority of riders need to go back to the basics and get their foundations strong again , once this is done then everything else will fall into place so much easier.

Horses that have been let get away with rudeness, bad manners and getting their own way WILL argue like mad at first ...this is normal ... stay relaxed insist on your way and sit there - even if it takes an whole hour on a 20m circle doesn't matter - think toddler tamtrums ! Invest your money into a good decent instructor and your rewards will be ten fold !
 
Firstly....congratulate yourself on the whole 'sitting on and not falling off' thing. Avoiding the floor- unless its a planned dismount - is always a bonus.

You could get an instructor to come and give you some lessons- at the very least, even if you don't improve your horse, you may find you gain confidence in your own abilities.

For the record...my OH has been doing the ''sitting on top and not falling off'' thing for the past 3 years. He avoids all efforts to teach him- he says his legs are simply not meant to be in such a position and maintains that I have an extra knee joint or something. He would certainly win no prizes anywhere...but doesnt care, he just has fun with his horse, who is about as supple as an ironing board.

Don't feel you need to 'improve' if you are happy as you are.:)
 
Welcome to my world!!! I (attempt) to ride a nutjob who interprets any leg aid as "GO!!"

I thought I could ride until I got him, then I realised I was about the same place you are now :p

I think you would get a lot out of one of Heather Moffett's simulator weekends, although a little pricey they are WELL worth it and great fun too.
http://www.enlightenedequitation.com/sim.htm

Then have some lessons with Jill Shephard, she's based in Kent..
http://www.enlightenedequitation.com/teacher_findSELon.htm
 
chickeninabun said:
You sound a bit like me!!:D I can't really ride either and my horse likes to charge around everywhere as fast as possible!
Only concern I have about lessons is that if, like me, you only ride once or twice a week (and one of those is probably a lesson) then will the horse ever learn anything or will it (and me:o) just forget it by the next week?:confused:
Click to expand...

BINGO! Exactly my point!!
 
abina said:
Ok - this is my instructor head on now - First and foremost you are never to old or too late to take lessons.

You seem to want to learn how to do things and that's the biggest hurdle an instructor has ... the difference between someone that will stop and listen and put some trust in you and what you are telling them and some one that thinks they want to know ... doesn't listen and doesn't do their home work inbetween lessons.

Both you and your horse has some massive issues and you need to find an instructor that will be able to commicate with you in a manner you find enjoyable, who will take the time to tell you why things are happening and explain the principles and results of your actions and of your horse to you. It's a bit of a domino effect. I supect I would put you in the section - an uneducated rider ! Take time out and go right back to basics, if you can go and have a lesson or two at a reputable riding school where you can sit on a schooled horse and 'feel' what is happening underneath you then this will help.

Take today as the first day of the new begining ! Good luck and keep us posted on your improvements !
Click to expand...

What a super response! Thanks. You are right I am totally uneducated. Poor mare doesn't know what the hell I am doing! I wonder if I got one of my friends to have a plod round what they would think of her. Perhaps we are two peas in a pod - both totally useless but couldn't be without eachother :D
 
I'm sure you CAN ride.
I'm no expert at all, but maybe riding her more than once a week to let some more of her energy out, and she'll be more in the frame of mind for riding and listening to you.
Lessons would help greatly as you will be told how to improve and what you are doing well. I always find them better than riding alone :)
 
You can sit on her and NOT fall off?!

You're LIGHTYEARS ahead of me then!

I fell off 4 times over the summer holidays! And I thought I was a pretty average rider!

Don't fret! Get an instructor and have a few lessons on a schoolmaster. You'll be well on your way!
 
Never too late love

I feel like the worst rider ever at the moment - felt like I was getting somewhere but now some very novicey/beginner people have been put into my lesson and I'm wondering if I am riding like a total beginner after years of lessons as a child and about a year and a half back in the saddle after a ten year break.

*prays I don't sit there like a sack of potatoes with no thought of contact and working from behind*
 
I feel the same at the moment! I felt fine on my share horse, but since I started riding a friends beautifully schooled horse I feel like a total numpty and I'm honestly having trouble understanding why she keeps inviting me back!

For the first time in absolutley years it took me 3 goes round the school to stop today. Turns out I was letting my leg slide ever so slightly back and gripping with it which he was interpreting as "keep going!" so I put my leg forward a bit, weight in my knees and hey presto! Maybe you are doing something similar with your mare?

We've gotta keep at it! Definatly 100% get some lessons or you will feel like this for much longer
 
i think your biggest problem is the fact the horse is worked once a week - is there anyway the horse can be worked more?
I have a 33 year old arab mare - ex endurance horse who i spent many years galloping about on with very little of anything else... she's not perfect by any stretch of the imagination but the ability to slow down with a light rein contact and seat has been developed over several years and unless she's feeling particularly full of beans the breaks are there - and its not that she's older and therefore wanting to stop, its a general understanding that a leg aid doesn't necessariliy mean go.
so, it is possible to learn, but, i would say its a more than once a week resolution...
 
Hello there
What about teaching her some voice commands as an extra aid. I do lots of groundwork (well I used to) and taught my girl woah, walk, trot from voice command, not always 100% on the way home but noones perfect!
I did this at walk on the lead line and every time I stopped I said woah and on the lunge when wanting to change gait I would say walkin or trrrrot etc . It might help Good Luck
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top