can we over analyse riding???

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darkhorse123

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Im thinking of myself - late learner - weekly lessons.
I think back to when i was a kid and just jumped on and had fun - yes we need to learn how to ride so we dont cause our horses harm but i for one think i over analyse everything and its spoilng my enjoyment.
I sometimes think i read too many forums, too much advice and then am like a robot!!!
If horse is healthy, tack fits well etc - how much do you need to worry - especially if you only want to happy hack out

Thoughts - because personally im beginning to think im reading far much into it ie the correct way to ride, position etc ????
 
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i totally agree! i think for certain types of riding such as jumping etc, you need to be in the right position but im a leisure rider & i do the standard back straight, shoulder, knee & toe in line etc but im not religious about it! ive been riding since i was 5/6 and had a 2 year gap from when i was 11 and then had lessons to freshen up/ gain back my confidence but i couldn't be doing with getting told off because my hands were an inch too high up!
 
Absolutely... I think you can get stuck up your own backside about riding, bitting, saddlery and wotnot and yes riding is all about enjoying... if you're a pleasure rider.

Different kettle of fish if your main income is from horses I guess...

I like to pretend I'm stuck up my backside.... but I know jacksh....
 
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Kick back, relax and sit like a sack of spuds! That is what I tell everyone that comes to ride out the racehorses for the first time just to get them to realise that they aren't psychos and they don't need held and gripped onto for grim death. I try and get them to drop their feet out of their irons as well for a bit. No need for all this sit up straight, heels down, eyes forward, hands down malarky when you are toddling round the countryside.
 
EKW said:
Kick back, relax and sit like a sack of spuds! That is what I tell everyone that comes to ride out the racehorses for the first time just to get them to realise that they aren't psychos and they don't need held and gripped onto for grim death. I try and get them to drop their feet out of their irons as well for a bit. No need for all this sit up straight, heels down, eyes forward, hands down malarky when you are toddling round the countryside.
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lol really ????
or u taking mick?
See - i really dont know, all i do know is i want to enjoy my horse toddling around our countryside without killing him or hurting him

Thing is now - i dont know if your serious and im talking daft or yur being serious and im not????

No offence intended honestly - im genuineley confused xxxx
 
re read and i think your taking mick - what im asking is if i have my seat and really dont ever want to compete or do dressage - just hack out with my lad, if i have balance so im not leanign on his reins or jiggling about on his back does it really matter?
 
darkhorse123 said:
re read and i think your taking mick - what im asking is if i have my seat and really dont ever want to compete or do dressage - just hack out with my lad, if i have balance so im not leanign on his reins or jiggling about on his back does it really matter?
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HAHA I really think you over analysed that reply!! As long as you're not interfering with the horse, and not bouncing around , then course it doesn't matter! If you are balanced and moving with the horse thats fine, ppl definately get hung up far too much in here and everyone always assumes its teeth or back too, ok it often is, but it seems to be the answer to everything. Sometimes horses need to be horses and riders need to be just that
 
No, in all honesty I am not taking the mick! I ride National Hunt racehorses and they are the sanest things on the planet! Well ours our anyway and the best way to get new people to realise that they aren't the psychos that they thought them to be before they got on is really to just kick back and let them plod along! Relaxed rider = relaxed horse = just what we want when out doing road work. I rarely hack out with my feet in the irons, buckle end of the reins tootling along gossiping to whoever I am hacking out with. Yes there are some I wouldn't do that on but 95% of them I would.

The more tense and uptight you are on a racehorse the more buzzed up they get, the more bouncy then you get more tense put some leg contact on, pick up your reins and horse gets more wound up - so they all get told from the start - long stirrups, buckle end of the rein and ignore the horse. Works pretty much most of the time!
 
I think we can end up analysing too much BUT I would also be careful of a few basics :)

I'm like you and a leisure rider and have been hacking my pony for a couple of years. Now starting to do low-key competitions and also schooling. I've been going on the same diagonal for trot - it appears - so she's not stepping under with one of her hind-legs fully (due to an old injury) and I'm having to ensure I get her supple and now go on both diagonals when hacking.

I've also found she doesn't bend her neck turning - why not? Hacking is straight. I'm now doing lots of circles etc as she tilts her head but is hard work to bend her neck.

Little things that can make a difference in life later. :)
 
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