First canter...Erm....Oh dear

[shirl62]

In both videos you look like you are doing really well. Don't let falling off knock your confidence, it happens to every rider at some point or the other, including myself several times (once when we weren't even moving! ). It is maybe an idea to have some lessons on a lunge doing some trotting with no stirrups, this is a great way to build up your core strength to keep you up and your bum glued to the saddle. After a few years away from riding my first few canters were bouncy and all over the place (I could have cried and given up lol) but a few lunge lessons sorted that and gave me confidence that I wasn't about to fall out the side door. Keep going, your doing fine. Hopefully you'll feel better and be back on board soon.

Also, just to add, I have recently invested in a yoga ball. What an amazing tool to help improve your riding; I can't recommend them enough. They are a great way to practice your techniques if you are unable to ride everyday and practice the more technical aspects of riding when you come to it. I have had and used my yoga ball daily for the last 4 weeks and the difference has been great; before, although I'm relatively fit, my core strength was really poor and struggled to engage my core when needed (and without resulting in tension). That has all changed in a few weeks and my riding, posture, balance etc are all better for it. I only paid £7.99 for my yoga ball from Amazon too, so a very cheap investment for the results. There are some very good videos on Youtube for riding techniques and other excersises if you choose to purchase one.x

Thanks highlandgirl I had been doing trotting without stirrups and felt very stable and could have done it all day..I know my core needs strengthening and did buy a yoga ball to practice balance etc but I have been slacking a bit in that department. As soon as I am able I will definitely get 'back on the ball' . I suppose that I expect way too much of myself and it does take time to put everything together . My dream is for my twin sis and I to have our own horses and to go out and have fun on hacks with a little canter or 2..oh and to retire to my native Scotland....

Shirl

 

[xelliex123x]

Aww I feel your pain, it's always building up to something which makes you more nervous!! I loved the video haha -it really wasn't as bad as you think Hey it's a good thing that you got a video, then you'll have a great comparison for when you're cantering around with no problems at all

 

[shirl62]

Aww I feel your pain, it's always building up to something which makes you more nervous!! I loved the video haha -it really wasn't as bad as you think Hey it's a good thing that you got a video, then you'll have a great comparison for when you're cantering around with no problems at all

Aye...At the moment its hard to imagine cantering carefree..lol but I am sure it will happen I have it in my head what I am supposed to be doing but the body has other ideas...ha ha

Shirl

 

[furryfriendsforlife]

Just seen this thread and your videos and I personally think that you're a legend! Sounds like you're really putting all into this and you look great!

I am the biggest wimp of wimp town and I feel your pain. I got back into riding after a 20yr break and was so scared I took some xanax before the first 5 lessons or so! A year later, now got my own mare and Im much more confident and i agree with what someone else said in this thread, that a lunge lesson will really help. I was pooing my pants literally about doing it at first, but it was awesome and later down the line it gave me the confidence to canter eventually without stirrups for the first time in my life without thinking i would die. haha.

The stress we go through for fun! Keep at it and live what you love.

 

[shirl62]

Thanks for that ..feeling a bit down as can't ride with ribs being so sore and wondering if I will be okay for my riding holiday in Italy which is on the 13th May. I may have to settle for drinking wine and just chilling watching my sis progressing...but I will be still hoping I can ride even if its just at a walking pace..

You are so lucky to have your own horse..I am so jealous...What is she like ? Do you have a picture ? I really enjoy this forum it has so much information and a great bunch of people.

Thank you so much for cheering me up..it has made my day

Shirl

 

[cootuk]

I find cantering in the school completely different to out hacking. The school you have a few strides and are straight into another corner. Out hacking you can get a longer run where you can sit into the rhythym and feel what you should be doing to help the horse.
My biggest fear is psychological - thinking the horse will either try to jump the rails of the school (for the ex-hunter) or slip going round the corner.
Each horse is so different in how it enters canters and how easy it is to maintain. I usually end up being quite vocal shouting for it to maintain canter round the corner and kicking on. More for my benefit than theirs, I think.

 

[shirl62]

Totally agree cootuk. The cantering in the school made me panic more as there was not enough of the 'straight' to give me the feel of the rhythm and sent me into a panic with the corner. I felt better when I went for a lesson at a riding school in Scotland where we went out for a hack and had a very less stress less go at canter which I felt gave me time to think and just go straight without worrying if I was going to end up in a heap at a corner. I am a bit apprehensive to go back on the horse that threw me off during a spook. I know I will be thinking is he going to do it again...I know that he has thrown a 10yr old girl off twice which affected her confidence and she is now riding a different horse. I know these things cannot be helped and horses do spook but it still is scary when you fall and hurt yourself which in turn does affect your confidence to some degree. I just wish my brain would stop working overtime. I will ask if they have another horse suitable for me to regain my confidence.

Shirl

 

[shirl62]

Totally agree cootuk. The cantering in the school made me panic more as there was not enough of the 'straight' to give me the feel of the rhythm and sent me into a panic with the corner. I felt better when I went for a lesson at a riding school in Scotland where we went out for a hack and had a very less stress less go at canter which I felt gave me time to think and just go straight without worrying if I was going to end up in a heap at a corner. I am a bit apprehensive to go back on the horse that threw me off during a spook. I know I will be thinking is he going to do it again...I know that he has thrown a 10yr old girl off twice which affected her confidence and she is now riding a different horse. I know these things cannot be helped and horses do spook but it still is scary when you fall and hurt yourself which in turn does affect your confidence to some degree. I just wish my brain would stop working overtime. I will ask if they have another horse suitable for me to regain my confidence.

Shirl

 

[cootuk]

I have an arrangement where I tell them before the lesson that if they don't kill me, they'll get some treats after

I have the best canter on the first horse that threw me. When the instructor reads out who's on which horse, then you can hear a sigh of relief from some people who maybe aren't as stubborn as me. I think it does teach you to look for the signs that they're jittery about something, and to ride them through it. I don't believe any horse is bombproof, and sometimes you do need the challenge of making a horse listen. You can't always be on a plod. You also learn the line of when the horse isn't going to listen. Turns out this mare probably has an allergy to the schooling material, so could have been psyching herself up too knowing she was going in for a lesson and would pain/itchy afterwards.

 

[furryfriendsforlife]

Thanks for that ..feeling a bit down as can't ride with ribs being so sore and wondering if I will be okay for my riding holiday in Italy which is on the 13th May. I may have to settle for drinking wine and just chilling watching my sis progressing...but I will be still hoping I can ride even if its just at a walking pace..

You are so lucky to have your own horse..I am so jealous...What is she like ? Do you have a picture ? I really enjoy this forum it has so much information and a great bunch of people.

Thank you so much for cheering me up..it has made my day

Shirl

You're so welcome. I know the stress you're feeling well! It's like we are so addicted, but it stresses us, but we cant help but comes back for more!

Well i shall cross everything for you that you are ready to ride in time for your holiday. Worst case, hopefully you can learn lots of useful info on stable management, care and feeding.

I totally agree with you too. Loving this forum, for the support and help. I've had a steep learning curve, but all of these lovely people have really helped me.

Re getting back on the naughty horse, maybe ask for a different one until you've your confidence back. Spooking at wind is a bit annoying. From the video it looks as though he is looking at something, maybe something moving. If you could go for a more chilled horse for the next few lessons and then get back on him.

My girl is lovely, although a proper monkey at times and lots of bad habits to work on. She's 8 in May and I got her a couple of months ago after getting back into riding after a 20yr break last March and loving it more now than when i was a kid. I couldn't settle for riding once or twice a week and really wanted to care more a horse and for it to be treated in the way that I wanted. So I originally went looking to loan a horse in Jan and by end Feb stumbled upon my girl who I just couldn't turn down. She's a Franche Montagne/Freiberger, a Swiss mountain horse, like a Quarter horse in some ways. She's 15.2 and a real brute when she doesnt want to do something. Not agreessive, just lazy and fights me with the reigns! But I can honestly say that it was the best decision I have made.

I have no idea how to attach a photo on here.... I will have a read up and try and send you one.

 

[furryfriendsforlife]

Thanks for that ..feeling a bit down as can't ride with ribs being so sore and wondering if I will be okay for my riding holiday in Italy which is on the 13th May. I may have to settle for drinking wine and just chilling watching my sis progressing...but I will be still hoping I can ride even if its just at a walking pace..

You are so lucky to have your own horse..I am so jealous...What is she like ? Do you have a picture ? I really enjoy this forum it has so much information and a great bunch of people.

Thank you so much for cheering me up..it has made my day

Shirl

You're so welcome. I know the stress you're feeling well! It's like we are so addicted, but it stresses us, but we cant help but comes back for more!

Well i shall cross everything for you that you are ready to ride in time for your holiday. Worst case, hopefully you can learn lots of useful info on stable management, care and feeding.

I totally agree with you too. Loving this forum, for the support and help. I've had a steep learning curve, but all of these lovely people have really helped me.

Re getting back on the naughty horse, maybe ask for a different one until you've your confidence back. Spooking at wind is a bit annoying. From the video it looks as though he is looking at something, maybe something moving. If you could go for a more chilled horse for the next few lessons and then get back on him.

My girl is lovely, although a proper monkey at times and lots of bad habits to work on. She's 8 in May and I got her a couple of months ago after getting back into riding after a 20yr break last March and loving it more now than when i was a kid. I couldn't settle for riding once or twice a week and really wanted to care more a horse and for it to be treated in the way that I wanted. So I originally went looking to loan a horse in Jan and by end Feb stumbled upon my girl who I just couldn't turn down. She's a Franche Montagne/Freiberger, a Swiss mountain horse, like a Quarter horse in some ways. She's 15.2 and a real brute when she doesnt want to do something. Not agreessive, just lazy and fights me with the reigns! But I can honestly say that it was the best decision I have made.

I have no idea how to attach a photo on here.... I will have a read up and try and send you one.

 

[shirl62]

I won't be riding until our holiday and after hopefully a week of riding my confidence will be better than ever ( I hope ! lol ) The horses Maremma and Maremma x which I believe are native to the area of Italy where we are going to . I am so looking forward to a week of sunshine and lessons too with a few hacks. I do regret not taking up riding again sooner as the clock is ticking way too fast now!..lol

Your girl is really lovely and you must have great fun together.

Sometimes you just have to follow your dreams and go for it .....

Shirl

 

[teacups]

The holiday sounds amazing.
Will cross fingers for you that your ribs will allow for riding. How many weeks post-fall will that be?

 

[shirl62]

Will be 4 1/2 weeks at start of holiday so probably should be ok...Getting better already and pain is managed with paracetemol and brufen. I am so looking forward to it...Spending a lot of time on here reading through all the posts.

Thanks for asking x

Shirl

 

[_GG_]

The horse was a bit unhelpful tugging you forwards like that, but you coped. It does get easier (and less scary) with practice.

This with bells on, but I do like the look of the horse.

You coped very well and got yourself sorted again quickly.

All good from what I can see. None of us are perfect when we first start something. In fact...none of us are perfect ever, lol

 

[shirl62]

This with bells on, but I do like the look of the horse.

You coped very well and got yourself sorted again quickly.

All good from what I can see. None of us are perfect when we first start something. In fact...none of us are perfect ever, lol

All I will settle for at my age is to be a safe and fairly competent rider and have fun on our 4 legged friends . Anything else will be a bonus...lol

The encouragement received on here is amazing..

Shirl

 

[highlandponygirl]

How did the riding holiday go Shirl? Have you managed to get back in the saddle yet?

 

[shirl62]

How did the riding holiday go Shirl? Have you managed to get back in the saddle yet?

Just got back today...Holiday was fantastic...The riding was a bit tough on the old bones..lol, but great . Did a lot of hiking up some tough terrain which was great . The horses were fab and all so beautiful . They were a lot bigger than I expected but we soon got used them. We managed on average 3 hours riding a day which was pretty hard going at times . I kind of chicken out of doing a canter as I didn't feel ready but did a fair amount of fast trotting which progressed into a very short canter a couple of times. I really do feel that the experience has helped me .I had one little moment when the horse I was on met another group of riders and he decided that he wanted to go with them...it took quite a bit of persuading him that he could not go with them..Such a great place with well looked after horses...I shall need another holiday for my body to recover!..lol

Shirl

 

[shirl62]

Tuscany Italy

 

[highlandponygirl]

Your holiday sounded fab and he looks like a big, solid boy. I would love to do something similar.

 

[shirl62]

Your holiday sounded fab and he looks like a big, solid boy. I would love to do something similar.

He was the smallest they had!..lol...Mind you I am only 4'10'' so probably appears bigger.

We booked it through Unicorn trails but we can book it direct if we go again which would be a bit cheaper. I will put some more pics on

 

[shirl62]

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=30148&d=1495388783
http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=30149&d=1495388786

View from our room, with stables in back ground

 

[maggie62]

gorgeous horses...........so well kept too

 

[teacups]

It sounds fantastic! Very impressive that you managed so much riding after the rib injury, too. Thanks for the photos, too: was curious to see what the Maremma horse looked like.

Have you noticed a difference in your riding lessons? Won't ask if you've cantered :biggrin3:

 

[shirl62]

It sounds fantastic! Very impressive that you managed so much riding after the rib injury, too. Thanks for the photos, too: was curious to see what the Maremma horse looked like.

Have you noticed a difference in your riding lessons? Won't ask if you've cantered :biggrin3:

I have not worked so hard in all my life! It was a bit scary to start with not being used to the horses being so big!..lol..Just going to have my first lesson since back from holiday on Sunday ( on the same horse that caused my injury! ) Have to put my big girl pants on...and yes you know the answer 'have I cantered'...erm no but the horse was going into canter and I chickened out...Its my head that's messing with me I know but its so hard to keep the fear away even though I talk it all through with myself to relax and not be silly. I really know that I am making it a big deal for myself letting my mind get the better of me. I could understand it if I had fallen off in a canter but it was in trot so I can't understand why I am so scared...I am such a woose...

Shirl

 

[Meredith]

Shirl you can do it. Try not to think about the canter, concentrate on the trot, sing to yourself, out loud if necessary to take your mind off it and I think the canter will just happen. My instructor keeps telling me "don't overthink it, just do it".
Best of luck.

 

[shirl62]

Thanks Meredith...You are right of course I think about it too much...Going for a lesson tomorrow so I shall just concentrate on my trot and sing ! lol Even getting back on the old boy who decanted me some weeks ago..

Shirl

 

[Meredith]

Best of luck. He won't remember the tumble so why should you?