First ride!

Sarah W

Sarah W

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31 August 2010
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Tomar, Portugal
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My new, first, horse arrived on Monday so he's had a few days to settle into his home (which he's done, very successfully). So tomorrow I'm going to ride him around the school and I'm a bit scared! Not because of him, he's lovely, old (25!) and very gentle but it's a combination of me being nervous, him in new surroundings and just...er...nerves! The yard manager said best thing is to sit like a bag of spuds on a long rein (so he will feel responsible for a learner) and let him just snuffle around. Does this sound like a good plan?

(p.s. instructor will be on hand....gah....I am such a wimp!!)
 
you sound just like me!!!
Long story but i had fallen in love wiht my daughters horse when she got bored so i had ot learn to ride - me, who is so scared of heights lol
Ive been havign lessons a couple of months now and the difference is amazing - be honest with yur instructor (tell her hwo nervoous you are) then trust her, if she is as fab as mine she will push you that little bit further each time - not too much but just enough to halp you progress.
Very soon you will be loving riding, i used to dread my lessons - now i love them and am so happyt o ride him alone inbetween.
- also, another tip - bhalms rescue remedy is fabulous!
Good luck and enjoy!!!xxx
 
I think it's completely normal to feel a bit nervous. Is there someone (your instructor?) who could walk round with you for a lap or two just until you feel your feet? I'm sure you'll be fine but do whatever it takes to feel safe, you will only get this one chance to ride him for the 'first' time! Even if you think it makes you look daft I would still rather feel safe than not. Good luck and will be looking out for the happy post tomorrow :)
 
Just having your instructor there should keep you calm and make sure everything goes well.

When I got my girl 10 months ago (first horse, 1 year riding school experience), I was so novicey I didn't know anything about letting her settle in. She arrived Friday and on Saturday I tacked her up and thought - here we go. Being 17 she was very patient, but she did shuffle backwards, which totally surprised me - I didn't know what the problem was.

Luckily, on the yard was an instructor who immediately took me under her wing and helped me get on and then gave me a lesson - for the first few rides the instructor was on hand - and it really helped my confidence.

We now hack out by ourselves and have a great time, there's so much to be said for the 'oldies' :) We even did a 20 mile endurance ride in the summer.

Good luck and let us know how you get on.
 
Not sure about a sack of spuds and long rein! Sit lightly with a light contact -if something did happen you wouldn't have to gather your reins up...

Bet you're not really nervous, I bet its excitement - they feel quite similar sometimes. Enjoy yourself.x
 
Thanks all! Found out today that he was a bit of a star in his harness trotting days 20 years ago in Holland when he won the equilavent of €75,000 in prize money....I am humbled :)
 
Just back from the yard and can't stop smiling! I was very nervous so the YO/RI rode him round for a few minutes to let him have a look at everything and calm down then she handed him over to me....and he was lovely :D His trot is very bouncy but I soon got used to it and he is so responsive, a tweak on the reins and he stops! The yard manager also had a quick ride and loved him! He's so alert and, I think, happy to be ridden again after a long lay off.

Very, very happy :D
 
Bless you

I think the best bet would be to have someone on the ground who can just help you out if things get a bit hairy, just try and stay calm and he will too!

Good luck and just have fun!!
 
Aww, how exciting! I'm glad the first ride went so well (by the sounds of it both you, RI and the horse enjoyed it): I'm sure it's just the start of a beautiful relationship together 80) So.... any photos?
 
Sarah W said:
Just back from the yard and can't stop smiling! I was very nervous so the YO/RI rode him round for a few minutes to let him have a look at everything and calm down then she handed him over to me....and he was lovely :D His trot is very bouncy but I soon got used to it and he is so responsive, a tweak on the reins and he stops! The yard manager also had a quick ride and loved him! He's so alert and, I think, happy to be ridden again after a long lay off.

Very, very happy :D
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Lovely, lovely news :D
 
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