A very happy lesson report for today :D *videos and pics*

thelwell_girl said:
What did you do?! :eek::D
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Well.... CallyH came to meet me and my horse once (well twice in the end) and the first time she met me we were going on a hack with me and my friends horse, I went to get on and for the first time ever my saddle slipped.... all ok so then girthed up a bit tighter than normal and my ubersensitive dumblood decided he didnt like the girth being that one hole tighter and reared verticle when I got on then bronked me off!! Was funny afterwards, but would have been funnier if he wasnt 17hh and hadnt launched me into a fence :P! But hey that taught me not to ever overgirth!! Glad you had a good lesson btw, I saw you leaving catlips the other day x
 
Ravenwood said:
What an awful superficial comment :(

I really don't think that a silk will improve her riding, do you?

What on earth does it matter what she looks like? As long as she is wearing correct, safe gear that is all that matters!
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Yes, superficial, awful, no. It's a fact, she will look better and less novicey with a hat silk. No offence meant, just saying it as it is.
 
thelwell_girl said:
Stupid knee! Might put tacks on the saddle, THEN I wont grip with my knee... :p

Hehe, thanks :D Shes a lovely horse! Looks even nicer with her proper full mane though, someone pulled it the other week :mad:
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Tacks on the saddle, lol good idea! ;) :p
Apparently trotting without stirrups helps a lot. I say "apparently" because I don't do this as often as I should!
 
Booboos said:
Everybody leans forwards, it takes ages to get out of the habit! I don't know why, but instinctively everyone goes forward for safety and balance, whereas actually straight up is a lot more balanced. It's the kind of thing that takes time because your body has to learn a new way of balancing.

Yes, that should give you a feeling for it. In time you should be better able to open your hips without lifting the legs off and that will allow you to have a deeper seat.
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I did actually feel better when sitting up properly, but when I did, Pally would speed up, and it really confused me!

Snowysadude said:
Well.... CallyH came to meet me and my horse once (well twice in the end) and the first time she met me we were going on a hack with me and my friends horse, I went to get on and for the first time ever my saddle slipped.... all ok so then girthed up a bit tighter than normal and my ubersensitive dumblood decided he didnt like the girth being that one hole tighter and reared verticle when I got on then bronked me off!! Was funny afterwards, but would have been funnier if he wasnt 17hh and hadnt launched me into a fence :P! But hey that taught me not to ever overgirth!! Glad you had a good lesson btw, I saw you leaving catlips the other day x
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Erm... Ouchies :o

None of our horses are particularly funny about their girths (apart from one... little witch!), but I will be more careful in the future.

Haha, really? I was a bit traumatised tbh. Begged my dad to drive aaalll that way, and what did I get? A browband!!

There was also a scary man standing outside :o

LauraElise said:
Yes, superficial, awful, no. It's a fact, she will look better and less novicey with a hat silk. No offence meant, just saying it as it is.
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I do see what you mean, and while looking an egghead isnt great for the overall picture, I dont really care if my head looks particularly large! Its a big old thing with brains in it, and as long as its safe, then im happy :)
 
Chessy said:
Tacks on the saddle, lol good idea! ;) :p
Apparently trotting without stirrups helps a lot. I say "apparently" because I don't do this as often as I should!
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This is why I asked for Albert! He's a lovely fatty lil coblet, so perfect for trot w/o stirrups. His canter is... interesting... but I like it! It was nice to be on Pally though, as I dont have to worry about keeping her going, so could concentrate on my (poor!) position.
 
thelwell_girl said:
Haha, really? I was a bit traumatised tbh. Begged my dad to drive aaalll that way, and what did I get? A browband!!

There was also a scary man standing outside :o
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Hahaha I love catlips but you have to kinda know what to say to sheila, I sold a rug to her the other day and my friend bought it off her for less than she paid me :P!! Next time you go take me hehe. I so want to fold up that second hand room and sort it out! But would want free rugs and numnahs, jods, girths etc for free lol xx
 
I know you appreciate honesty, so here goes my love :)

I would strongly suggest you have some lunge lessons to help you secure your seat. You do tend to bounce when rising, and this will help you immensely. Your instructor also needs to help you understand how to prepare a horse for canter correctly, going faster in trot is not the way to do it, you will bounce and lose your balance and feel all wobbly and it won't ever be comfortable :)

I agree with you that you are pitching forwards - keep thinking *shoulders over hips*, and work on your core strength.

Once your seat is more secure your hands will become stiller and kinder - although you are not pulling Pally's mouth your hands are all over the place, in a soft way :)

You have the dedication and determination to become a really nice rider, and such a refreshing desire to learn. If you were near me I would love to teach you, but I would have you on the lunge for a good 3 months, as well as free riding, to help YOU help yourself.

Someone above said it must be hard having to change horses all the time. I completely disagree, it is what will make you a rider :)

Keep at it TW, you are doing great :)
 
Weezy said:
I know you appreciate honesty, so here goes my love :)

I would strongly suggest you have some lunge lessons to help you secure your seat.

Am def going to do this, as well as being helpful, I love them!

You do tend to bounce when rising, and this will help you immensely. Your instructor also needs to help you understand how to prepare a horse for canter correctly, going faster in trot is not the way to do it, you will bounce and lose your balance and feel all wobbly and it won't ever be comfortable :)

I know you're gonna think "Excuses excuses!" but...

Pally is super bouncy, and I dont ride her very often. My position obv was not helping me, as she was rushing off (goodness she would be FAB in the field doing some XC!) and Im much more used to riding slower horses/ponies (i.e. Bonnie, Albert, Dawi) so I panic :o Riding the slower ponies my trot is MUCH better than in todays video, I dont bounce like that normally! :o

As to my instructor, she knows that I know that :o I've had problems with Dawi when making the trot-canter transition, and I know he can run as much as he likes, but with him, you do not get a decent canter unless he is balanced and listening. All this seemed to go out the proverbial window when I rode Pally today...

I agree with you that you are pitching forwards - keep thinking *shoulders over hips*, and work on your core strength.

Hopefully getting one of those big bouncy ball things soon!

Once your seat is more secure your hands will become stiller and kinder - although you are not pulling Pally's mouth your hands are all over the place, in a soft way :)

Gosh, my hands were not good today! I was very conscious of not snatching at her mouth, but was starting to balance on them, and as soon as I started to relax the contact she actually started to round and work really nicely!

You have the dedication and determination to become a really nice rider, and such a refreshing desire to learn. If you were near me I would love to teach you, but I would have you on the lunge for a good 3 months, as well as free riding, to help YOU help yourself.

Thank you! :D

See above Re: lunge... Also, as Im still in a 'kids' group lesson they are around 5/6 quid cheaper than a peak time adults private! While I cant have private lessons all the time, I do try and fit them in when I can.

Someone above said it must be hard having to change horses all the time. I completely disagree, it is what will make you a rider :)

I do think that riding such a variety of horses is difficult, but I love it! My riding has come on so so much this summer, from being hardly able to think about canter, to actually working through my problems and working on canter with some semblance of style! Getting a horse like Pally to listen can be hard (headstrong mare who tries her heart out, and likes to go FAST :eek:) but once we I relaxed at the end, we actually started to work nicely together :)

Keep at it TW, you are doing great :)
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Thank you for your comment Weezy! Has given me a lot to think about :)

People like you are the reason I love HHO :D xx
 
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thelwell_girl said:
This is why I asked for Albert! He's a lovely fatty lil coblet, so perfect for trot w/o stirrups. His canter is... interesting... but I like it! It was nice to be on Pally though, as I dont have to worry about keeping her going, so could concentrate on my (poor!) position.
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Ahh, that is nice to have that choice :) I do love fat little coblets though!

Booboos said:
Everybody leans forwards, it takes ages to get out of the habit! I don't know why, but instinctively everyone goes forward for safety and balance, whereas actually straight up is a lot more balanced. It's the kind of thing that takes time because your body has to learn a new way of balancing.
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I read somewhere that we lean forward because we are trying to protect our vital organs at the front! Not sure how true that is :)
 
Glad you had a good lesson. It looks like you are coming on well.
I agree with weezy about the lunge lessons. That way you can consentrait on your position instead of the horse. Your feet are probably slipping in the stirrops because you are gripping up with your leg and this in turn will also make you lean forwards. I'm afraid if I had my evil instructor head on (and yes I am quite an evil instructor :p) I would give you lunge lessons without stirrops (cos I know you love working without them LOL).
Also when you ask for canter this is when you realy grip up with your leg tip, forwards and loose contact on the horses mouth. You need to sit on your bum, relax your lower leg, shorten your reins and think of pushing the horse into canter from behind. The horse needs to move up into canter from behind, when you tip forwards the horse looses balance and then rushes the trot and just kind of falls into canter. This leads to a more uncomfortable bouncy canter on an already bouncy horse.
LOL I told you I was an evil instructor. :( ;) :p :D :D. Your instructor sounds lovely.
Keep up the good work all your hard work will pay off soon. I remember I spent ages being frustraited about my leg position and the fact that I tipped forwards but then one day I just didn't do it anymore. :D:D:D:D:D:D
You could always come down here and practice on the horrid one if you like He's not bouncy at all ;):p:D
Anyway I hope you found my rambeling useful and you understand what i'm trying to ramble on about LOL.
 
LauraWheeler said:
Glad you had a good lesson. It looks like you are coming on well.
I agree with weezy about the lunge lessons. That way you can consentrait on your position instead of the horse. Your feet are probably slipping in the stirrops because you are gripping up with your leg and this in turn will also make you lean forwards. I'm afraid if I had my evil instructor head on (and yes I am quite an evil instructor :p) I would give you lunge lessons without stirrups (cos I know you love working without them LOL).
Also when you ask for canter this is when you realy grip up with your leg tip, forwards and loose contact on the horses mouth. You need to sit on your bum, relax your lower leg, shorten your reins and think of pushing the horse into canter from behind. The horse needs to move up into canter from behind, when you tip forwards the horse looses balance and then rushes the trot and just kind of falls into canter. This leads to a more uncomfortable bouncy canter on an already bouncy horse.
LOL I told you I was an evil instructor. :( ;) :p :D :D. Your instructor sounds lovely.
Keep up the good work all your hard work will pay off soon. I remember I spent ages being frustraited about my leg position and the fact that I tipped forwards but then one day I just didn't do it anymore. :D:D:D:D:D:D
You could always come down here and practice on the horrid one if you like He's not bouncy at all ;):p:D
Anyway I hope you found my rambeling useful and you understand what i'm trying to ramble on about LOL.
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Thank you for the advice Laura - you explain it all very well! I was tensing on Pally when I went into canter (finding Im doing this more and more :() so itll be a lunge lesson for me soon... I've had one with this particular instructor before, and as well as learning, we had so much fun, (well, B did! Lots of laughing :D).

And err... I think i would kill Herbilicious if I sat on him!!

Next time we're in the New Forest, I will drop you a PM :) (I'm starved of some western riding, I need MORE!)
xxx
 
redmone said:
Hi!

No CC from me as I don't know what I'm talking about, but you look like a lovely tidy rider and you should be proud of yourself!

Pretty horse too!

:D:D:D
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Aww shucks :o:D I know I have a lot to work on, but I really feel Ive improved since starting weekly lessons!

How is Daughter and Dolly doing? We want pics!!

xx
 
thelwell_girl said:
Thank you for the advice Laura - you explain it all very well! I was tensing on Pally when I went into canter (finding Im doing this more and more :() so itll be a lunge lesson for me soon... I've had one with this particular instructor before, and as well as learning, we had so much fun, (well, B did! Lots of laughing :D).

And err... I think i would kill Herbilicious if I sat on him!!

Next time we're in the New Forest, I will drop you a PM :) (I'm starved of some western riding, I need MORE!)
xxx
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Thats how lessons should be lots of fun. That way you relax and therefore ride better. :D You'll get there, like I said one day you'll just be able to do it. Then you'll wonder why you found it so hard in the first place. ;) :) Just keep working at it like you are. Deff drop me a PM if your in the forest. If you go back to Burley I'm currently just up the road. :D:D
 
LauraWheeler said:
Thats how lessons should be lots of fun. That way you relax and therefore ride better. :D You'll get there, like I said one day you'll just be able to do it. Then you'll wonder why you found it so hard in the first place. ;) :) Just keep working at it like you are. Deff drop me a PM if your in the forest. If you go back to Burley I'm currently just up the road. :D:D
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I do love my lessons! :D

I know I have a lot of work still to do, but I WILL get there one day :o

Really? You're soo gonna get a visit now :D xx
 
I'm at work so don't have much time to read through other replies but if you live in a house with stairs, stand on the bottom step and stretch your heals down. Little and often, don't over do it. Build up slowly and this will help your heals and their flexibility.

Following on from that, I also bounce up the stairs on the balls of my feet stretching my heals and ankles. If that makes sense?

You don't look like you're slouching at all. In fact your upper body looks very good.

Your stirrups look a good length considering you said you ride similar to one of my jumping pictures on Facebook!
 
Snowysadude said:
Ahahaa I just had visions again :P!! Now we both know what happens when you over-girth dont we!!! That broken girth was still on my shelf once i left the yard hehe xx
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There was nothing about that though that was anyones fault - jesus I have never seen anything like that in my time riding! Only snowy! :rolleyes:

When are you coming back up here and are you going back to elms?
 
Kat_Bath said:
I'm at work so don't have much time to read through other replies but if you live in a house with stairs, stand on the bottom step and stretch your heals down. Little and often, don't over do it. Build up slowly and this will help your heals and their flexibility.

Following on from that, I also bounce up the stairs on the balls of my feet stretching my heals and ankles. If that makes sense?

You don't look like you're slouching at all. In fact your upper body looks very good.

Your stirrups look a good length considering you said you ride similar to one of my jumping pictures on Facebook!
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Thanks for the exercises - might have to do those on the garden step!

Good to know I wasnt slouching, but did feel like I was leaning forwards, and both me and my instructor picked up on this.

I def need to work on getting them longer! I know that riding longer is better for a more secure seat, so need to stretch those heels a bit and try :)

Puppy said:
As has been said to you several times before, PLEASE put your hair up properly, before you scalp yourself.
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I know :( Will put my hair up next ride.
 
Whilst it is true that riding longer gives you a more secure seat, if you go from jump length to longer quickly it will weaken your seat as you'll be thinking too much about were your stirrups/feet are ect, take it slowly and gradually :)

Your riding has improved heaps! Infact, I'm shocked although not surprised as you are a dedicated, passionate person.

I'd just like to extend a round of a appaulse to you though hun, through the rain and the shine you've carried and, you should be immensly proud of your achievements.

Respect to you!
 
You have certainly come on a lot:-)

Take the stirrups up a hole so you are not constantly searching for them, and it will give you one less thing to think about, as your seat gets more independent you can take them down again.

Laura gives a fantastic explanation of the canter transition, sit down, relax and push the horse forward into your hands which should then give to allow the movement, then gently contain it.

I too would give you lots of lunge work just so you can 100% concentrate on you and not think about what the horse is doing.

Just a thought when I was getting fit to ride again after my crash I booked a course of lessons on an equisimulator (not the electronic all singing and dancing ones) it basically looked like an oil barrel on springs with a saddle on it (think it is one of the Mary Wanless type ones) and your body motion makes it move i.e. if you don't get your rising trot motion right it just won't move lol.

I basically went from the worlds most disjointed unfit unbalanced rider to being able to do a perfectly balanced rising trot with out stirrups for 30 minutes. It was perfect as the instructor can actually grab you and physically put you in position.

Canter was great practice because if you don't steady the trot rhythm, sit down and rock your pelvis in the right way it just gets bouncier and bouncier.

Just a thought that maybe a couple of sessions like this would make a huge difference and fast track you a bit.

Keep enjoying!
 
Pally is very nice, and I think a good one for you to ride more as you can spend more time working on your general position and hands/legs without having to faff around getting after the horse to get it going somewhere! As much as you love the slowies for their lack of bounce, it sounds like you've progressed beyond that now and will benefit from something more forward.

Very impressed with the progress you're making - remember though, when tacking up, secure those boots! Serious slippage going on in some of those pics :P

Unfortunately I no longer have a steed to call even remotely my own, otherwise you'd be having an invite to the cotswolds for a ride! x
 
Benji1 said:
Whilst it is true that riding longer gives you a more secure seat, if you go from jump length to longer quickly it will weaken your seat as you'll be thinking too much about were your stirrups/feet are ect, take it slowly and gradually :)

Your riding has improved heaps! Infact, I'm shocked although not surprised as you are a dedicated, passionate person.

I'd just like to extend a round of a appaulse to you though hun, through the rain and the shine you've carried and, you should be immensly proud of your achievements.

Respect to you!
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Aw Benji! :o

Thank you for the tips, Im going to gradually let my stirrups down so I have time to learn to stretch! xx

Chavhorse said:
You have certainly come on a lot:-)

Take the stirrups up a hole so you are not constantly searching for them, and it will give you one less thing to think about, as your seat gets more independent you can take them down again.

Will do!

Laura gives a fantastic explanation of the canter transition, sit down, relax and push the horse forward into your hands which should then give to allow the movement, then gently contain it.

I know I def need to do that with Pally, as she is a speed daemon but when controlled she is lovely!

I too would give you lots of lunge work just so you can 100% concentrate on you and not think about what the horse is doing.

Just a thought when I was getting fit to ride again after my crash I booked a course of lessons on an equisimulator (not the electronic all singing and dancing ones) it basically looked like an oil barrel on springs with a saddle on it (think it is one of the Mary Wanless type ones) and your body motion makes it move i.e. if you don't get your rising trot motion right it just won't move lol.

I basically went from the worlds most disjointed unfit unbalanced rider to being able to do a perfectly balanced rising trot with out stirrups for 30 minutes. It was perfect as the instructor can actually grab you and physically put you in position.

Canter was great practice because if you don't steady the trot rhythm, sit down and rock your pelvis in the right way it just gets bouncier and bouncier.

Just a thought that maybe a couple of sessions like this would make a huge difference and fast track you a bit.

Are they any near London?

Keep enjoying!

I will, and thank you! x
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AprilBlossom said:
Pally is very nice, and I think a good one for you to ride more as you can spend more time working on your general position and hands/legs without having to faff around getting after the horse to get it going somewhere! As much as you love the slowies for their lack of bounce, it sounds like you've progressed beyond that now and will benefit from something more forward.

Very impressed with the progress you're making - remember though, when tacking up, secure those boots! Serious slippage going on in some of those pics :p

Unfortunately I no longer have a steed to call even remotely my own, otherwise you'd be having an invite to the cotswolds for a ride! x
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I loved riding Pally again! I really felt like wed worked hard but both improved by the end of the lesson :)

I know, the boot slippage is embarrassing! :o

Aw, that would be lovely! If im ever near the Cotswolds Ill let you know, and maybe we can go for a hack :) x
 
I've read a lot of your previous threads (lurking around and not commenting because I'm evil - and at work ;)). Have to say, though, that you're looking fab! Position's improved so much in a very short space of time - reckon you should give yourself a big pat on the back! :D

You've had loads of great advice already, so I'll just say blimmin' well done! And keep at it! :)
 
nutkin said:
I've read a lot of your previous threads (lurking around and not commenting because I'm evil - and at work ;)). Have to say, though, that you're looking fab! Position's improved so much in a very short space of time - reckon you should give yourself a big pat on the back! :D

You've had loads of great advice already, so I'll just say blimmin' well done! And keep at it! :)
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Thank you! Its nice to know that other people can see an improvement, not just my instructor/long suffering parents :D

xx
 
For der heels, I would do some work standing in your stirrups to get you to put more weight in your heels. May be worth shortening your stirrups for the time being too :) Def looking good though and I love the pony :D
 
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