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Hi im Nicola, im 27 years old. Have only started horse riding, had weekly riding lessons for 6 weeks now. I tried horse riding when i was younger and i just could control my nerves.

I have always been interested in horses, been jealous when i seen people out on their horse. I finally took the plunge 6 weeks ago, booked a 30 minute private lesson.

Have to say the first lesson was more a confidence thing, the instructor trying her best to get me in the saddle lol. I was led around with me clutching the saddle for grime death. The 2nd lesson was better, only took me 10 minutes to get in the saddle and i managed to hold the reins.

Now im getting up with little worry, im walking about myself, ive tried trotting, ive tried doing the rising trot but i cant grasp it. Any suggestions?
 
Hi Nicola - I'm sure you'll get to grips with the rising eventually but for now ask your instructor to teach you to do a good sitting trot - will stand you in great stead later on.

Whereabouts are you based?
 
Hello and welcome *waves*

I only started riding when I was 27 too
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(although had been on and off as a kid just hacking around), infact there are a few late starters on here i believe.
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Im in northern ireland, i did trot without stirrups yesterday, was really chuffed with myself. The instructor had me singing and it really helped me from bouncing about.

With stirrups i manage to get a few strides then seem to lose my balance.

To be honest i dont like my instructor but being an adult, there are very few places that will teach me
 
Try to rise up and down at halt to find the point of balance ,then in walk and thenthe instructor should be able to ask the horse to trot and keep the rhythm for you calling it out. You will soon get the hang of it..Try to land softly and not go too high.
Good luck and welcome
 
Hi Nicola!! Welcome to HHO!!
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I've been riding since I was 4 and still panic! But find a good instructor and a steady horse and you'll be fine! Your instuctor would never put you on anything silly, so trust her
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And besides from riding there's lots of other things you can do. Grooming, walking out, in-hand showing, it's all part of the fun! Kep us up to date with how you go, I'm sure you'll be having your first trot in no time. Enjoy!
 
Ive a sore back and ive held onto the neck strap and try my rising trot that way, instructor was shocked that i wanted to try it, and to be honest, so was I!

My friends have horses but they are all mental, they do let me groom them, and to be honest, im more confident on the ground working with them, than in the saddle, with the riding schools plod.

The thought of cantering is filling me with fear, can anyone tell me what its like?
 
Cantering is MUCH more comfy, once you get the hang of it. To start with you'll bounce, but you really have to try and relax and go with the movement. It's more of a rolling movement.
 
My friend said that its near impossible to fall off at a canter cause of the movement, made me feel a bit better, but think she just told me that to stop the dread lol.

She said its like the hobby horses lol
 
I've never fallen off at canter. I've lost my stirrups in trot, I've ven fallen off at trot, but never canter.

You have to think, in a school, what is the worst thing that could happen? falling off? It doesnt hurt! You'll land on the soft sand and wouldnt get trodden on. Really, there IS nothing to worry about. Not much help I know, but it's mind over matter.

Can your instructor give you some lunge lessons?
 
She suggested lunge lessons but i broke in cold sweat! I have problems with corners, for some reason i think im going to come off.

I think that is my biggest fear, falling off. My friends think if i have a fall it will boost my confidence
 
Throw yourself off
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Luneging isnt like cornering, nothing like it. But it will teach you to balance better, and you'll not have to control the horse at all, as your instuctor will do all that.
 
I think too much on the what ifs, the horse i ride is a gem.

I enjoy trotting on the straights, but the minute i get to a corner i panic and slow down.

I reallybeat myself up, i sit and think why i do it as when i am going home i cry and think i could have done better.
 
Hi I had a break from riding for a long time and was worried about falling off, would I bounce, would it hurt etc etc. Well I did fall off and stood up shouted YES. It didnt hurt and my pride wasnt even dented. But it did stop me worrying about falling off again
 
I've been riding for 30 years and still worry about falling off, but in time the fun and love of doing it will outweigh any fears you have! Of course the adrenalin rush is part of why riding is so addictive!
 
I think you need to fall off
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not hurt yourself of course but just fall off and you won't fear it then and you'l be able to relax.
I've been teaching friend who has been riding a while but really didn't canter. Anyway one lesson her hubby chucked her onto her 17.1hh IDx and off the other side. She fell on her back and didn't hurt herself at all and thought nothing of it (other than threatening to beat hubby with a big stick
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). When she cantered though she was so much more relaxed she was able to sit in the saddle whereas before she had been so tense she just bounced. Since then she has gone from strength to strength and even has little canters out on hack now
 
Try some rescue rememdy! Just a few drops about 20 mins before you ride - it has helped me in the past!

I think everybody struggles with confidence form time to time and I'm about as nervous a rider as it's possible to be. Last time I hacked my previous horse out I got 200 metres down the road and had to get off in tears because I was so scared, even though he wasn't doing anything naughty - it was all in my head!

With my new pony I am taking baby steps, and giving myself a pat on the back for each tiny little new thing. Maybe you should have a few lessons in walk, doing circles, figures of eight etc all off the lunge, to prove to yourself that you have control. Then when you feel ready you could have a little trot on a nice riding school plod, it doesn't matter if you don't rise at first, or if you hang onto the neck strap. You can feel good because you asked for trot, the horse trotted and you stayed on. Gradually you'll get so used to the rythym of trotting that rising will come a lot more naturally.

Sometimes when your nerves get really bad, pushing yourself out of your comfort zone doesn't help, it just makes the situation worse. You'll get there - and cantering is great, just drop all your weight into your heels, you'll feel much more secure than you do in trot.
 
Hi and welcome - the confidence will come with practise!

Practise rising first at halt then walk. When doing sitting trot, try to feel the rhythm of the trot underneath you, and count out loud 1-2-1-2-1-2-1. At first it will seem bumpy and jolty, but you will find that the more you do it, the more natural it feels.

Have fun!
 
Thank you everyone. I just feel let down by myself at times. I went for an extra lesson on saturday, i am getting into it in a big way lol.

Anyway, i was trotting without stirrups, and i was loving it. My instructor said i should be pleased with myself as the horse im riding has a very bouncy trot.
 
Thank you everyone. I just feel let down by myself at times. I went for an extra lesson on saturday, i am getting into it in a big way lol.

Anyway, i was trotting without stirrups, and i was loving it. My instructor said i should be pleased with myself as the horse im riding has a very bouncy trot.

Oh meant to say that i embarassed myself by shouting "This is bloody brillant, i dont want to stop" lol
 
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