Help! Especially small people who ride big ponies

[Annette4]

I'm quite small (5ft4) and I'm riding a 17.2hh shire mare for someone. She's coming back from injury so we're just walking out. As far as I know she's only hacked in company since she's been with current owner and was ridden by a man before me. I'm having to ride alone as I don't know anyone on the yard to ride with and her owners other horse is out of action until farrier comes out.

She leans on me, even in company although I've been giving and retaking the reins alternatly and it does help but when we're alone the second I let go of my right rein she tried to spin round and go home and it finding any excuse to spook and spin round (in company she's unflappable). She's a big girl and has really hurt my shoulder doing it

and everything I try normally isn't working. I'm on the roads so I can't afford to have her in the middle of the road as the roads road here aren't visable due to very high hedges.

I'm at a bit of a loss as I can't school her just gentle walking in a straight line. I was doing lots of transitions and leg yeilding to keep her occupied and try not to get into a pulling match but safety has to come first and her turning round in the midle of the road is scary and dangerous and hurting my shoulder pulling her back

Am begining to loose my nerve a bit doing it

 

[BigRed]

This is quite easy to answer. It's too big for you, and it's not your horse, so why risk yourself and your nerve on someone else's horse ?

Tell them to get someone else to ride it.

 

[lucie1984]

As a little person 5"2 i have been in your situation before..I think depending on the horse yes you can get along with them when they are too big for you..But if she is making you loose your nerve then i would speak to her owner and then if nothing can be done i would stop riding her.. sorry!

 

[RunToEarth]

I ride big horses, but my main problem is not being able to get enough leg on in the dressage- I'm always feeling 100% on the roads... This horse sounds too big for you and you're putting yourself and other roadusers at risk by taking it out.

 

[Annette4]

The other one I'm riding for her too and I get on brill with her and I have schooled her before inc jumping and hacking with no problems it's only been since she had a month off work.

I agree with you all but at the same time I loose my nerve not riding at all (would be believe it I used to ride a mental pony and reschooled a 15hh horse at the start of the year but not ridden much since easter) so I don't know how much of it is me not riding enough to keep my nerve and how much is her....I really want to keep riding (had to give up loaning for various reasons but mostly money) as I know I'll just not get back on if I don't ride for 9 months. I don't think I'm a bad rider (cosmo_sam is going to come shout at me in a min for being negative) and when I'm riding reguarly nothing bothers me and I sat all sorts from Misty but I've probably ridden 7 times since Easter and had a nasty run in with a riding school which has me convinced I can't ride etc. Theres lots going on elsewhere in real life too which I don't think helps my nerve either....gah!

 

[pelly]

My sisters 5'2 and rides a 18hh dutch warmblood. shes been lunging him before riding out and his mellowing. I go out on my Ex show hack as companion.

 

[kerilli]

this has nothing to do with her size really, she's being bloody naughty! longer legs would probably help, i know, but i would try:
if you're brave and determined, take a long schooling whip (or two, one on each side) and use that as a back-up to your leg aid.
use your voice, a very determined loud "WALK ON" can do wonders to convince a wobbly coward of a horse..! it makes you sound brave and determined, which can be enough.
how old is she? if she's young and frightened, i'd give her a bit more of the benefit of the doubt tbh.
i would prob put her in a full-cheek waterford or similar for now and then keep a firm light contact all the time, so that she knows you are always there holding her straight. she may be the sort who doesn't like the feeling of "going it alone" when you have a lighter contact or drop the contact on one side. think of channelling her from 2 legs into 2 hands all the time, as if you're making your aids a tunnel for her to go down, until she finds it easy and natural to stay straight and keep going forwards.
good luck!

 

[chaffinch]

I agree ( haven't read all the posts) that it's not always the size but training etc. I am 5ft 4 and my mare is 17.3 and I event and hunt with her/showjump/dressage etc no problem!

 

[Annette4]

She's about 14yo and if she was jittery in company like the other girl (who can be spooky but it's 'genuine' spooking not trying to spin round) I don't think I'd be so worried. Will definatly ask her owner for a full cheek (I know she has one somewhere)

kerilli...now you mention it....I lost my temper a bit and shouted at her (would never hit something or use my spurs in temper but I do swear a bit) and she was fine for quite a while after that (then she realised we were nearly home) so think it might well be a case of me being firm a few times and not letting everything else convince me I'm useless. I'm trying to convince my brother to walk with us on foot but he's being an arse.

 

[hellybelly6]

I think she is trying you out from your last post.

I am 5 6 and ride a 16.3 Clydesdale X Highland - doesnt sound like much of a difference, but a 6 foot man rode him and looked small on him.

At first my huge big giant highland did similar.

Try to be firm with her and shout if need be (seems to have worked last time) and try the full cheeked bit and see if somebody will walk with you.

A lot of it is making her think you are dominant to her. I bet she is a dominant personality.