A small lesson report if i may.....?

r0450111

r0450111

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I've been riding on and off since i was 7/8, but have had huge gaps in there due to non horsey family and lots of house moves! I'm now 25 and trying to take my riding more seriously!
One big hurdle in my way is crohns disease. I had surgery in november and had two feet of intestine removed. I got back on a horse 4 weeks ago today.

http://s189.photobucket.com/albums/z243/r0450111/Birchwod%20Riding%20Lessons/ These are photos taken during my lesson this morning. I'm fine to hear CC.

My lesson began warming up, and ensuring the horse was listening. We did lots of transitions and letting him go forwards. After a change of the rein i brought in some sitting trot (i have trouble doing sitting trot with stirrups) then we worked mostly in rising trot trying to shorten and lengthen his stride. I havent ever really done that before and we got some lovely shortened strides. He did lengthen some but that could do with some more work! Horse got a stretching session.
Then we started with some canter, my first transition was good, HOWEVER i have a habit of overthinking what i'm trying to do and screwing it up. Second transition wasnt so good, but we did achieve canter. My transitions got better as the lesson went on. Another stretching session, then we just had a short canter and we cooled off. Its only half hour lessons at the moment but i feel pretty good afterwards.

Things to work on
- closing my hands around the reins, they slip all the time
- stop thinking about what i'm going to do
- keep doing short bursts of sitting trot with stirrups
 
That all sounds very positive... Well done!! I had a lesson this morning with extended and collected trot and canter and it's not easy. I hope it continues to go well for you :)
 
Don't be too hard on yourself - you had major surgery not so long since (my OH has Crohns so I know how your life can be affected). Sounds like you are doing great!
 
Really well done you. Hope you keep it up.

Might want to try and get your heels down a bit more and your toes pointing forwards because that will really increase you seat security. To get your toes forwards you will probably have to move from the hip joint, it's hard to tell from the pics. and sit more on your seat bones so you don't hollow your back.

Really well done though. Don't think I would be on a horse so soon after surgery. Very brave. Keep it up and above all enjoy it.
 
Aw thanks guys, i'm chuffed to be back riding and cant believe that i'm doing so well. After a year off in total, i honestly thought i'd be a sack of spuds once i got back on!

Hmm, sitting on my seat bones... the only way i can manage that is if i tilt my pelvis and i can only hold it for a few seconds at a time. Am i just oddly built or does everyone have to do this? :confused:
 
I think you are looking fab considering your major surgery! :eek:
You also do what I do, giving away the reins so all the energy runs our the front door. This looked to improve during the lesson.
Well done - keep at it! :D
 
r0450111 said:
Aw thanks guys, i'm chuffed to be back riding and cant believe that i'm doing so well. After a year off in total, i honestly thought i'd be a sack of spuds once i got back on!

Hmm, sitting on my seat bones... the only way i can manage that is if i tilt my pelvis and i can only hold it for a few seconds at a time. Am i just oddly built or does everyone have to do this? :confused:
Click to expand...


Def. not sitting like a sack of spuds.

When I trained for my AI years ago I did not at first sit in the classical position. I can remember being told to move loads of different bits of me and concluding at the time that only a contortionist could possibley do it right. But after a while your body adapts and things just seam to click and suddelly it's effortless.

You may also be having a problem due to surgery and I think you should put healing first.

But when you are fit and totally well if you tilt your pelvis and sit up really tall you will find your balance again. Doing that should take the hollow out of your back and then doing sitting trot should be much easier because you will be in a better position to absorbe the movement of the horse through your hips.

Really hope that helps but I think you are doing amazingly well anyway, just trying to help you do even better.
 
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