HELP!!!!!!!!

C

Chailin

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I have a cross country competition in about six weeks and I have only been riding for about four months!The only problem is the pony tanks about the cross country course with me and he's so strong.When I dismount I feel like my arms are going to fall off!!!He puts his nose on the ground and canters around the feild.He loves jumping and being ridden.Please help me.He wears a snaffle bit.If that helps!
 
I agree, some horses find cross country incredibly exicting, and can quickly get caught in the moment. I have to ride my mare in a pelham a cross country, otherwise i'll lose the feeling in my arms;)
 
So you are a fully grown adult, who has been riding where exactly? as I imagine an 11-12hh pony to be a bit small for you unlessyou are seriously vertically challanged.

Interestingly putting a stronger bit in a pony can often reduce soreness in the mouth, as the rider does not have to tug/ fight so much.

I think the most sensible suggestion is to withdraw from the competition, until you feel able to control the pony in open spaces.
 
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If he gets a sore mouth, mabe that could be the problem, if not then you could try one of these.
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Do you mean that you have been riding this pony for four months (and that you therefore having been riding for longer than that), or that you have only been riding for four months?
 
That seems very soon to be going x-country to me, especially if you are having control issues. You need good balance and control, and to be able to lengthen and shorten stride to do x-country, which takes time and experience to learn. I would support the person that said withdraw this time and get some more lessons and practice in, so that your first competition is a positive experience. There is no rush, you have your whole life to compete, so you might as well take the time to get it right first time:)
 
I have a cross country competition in about six weeks and I have only been riding for about four months!
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:eek::eek::eek:

You sound as though you're quite young. If you have only been riding for 4 months it probably wouldn't be a very good idea entering this competition.

I've been riding on and off for years and have owned my horse for 18 months and I have no intention of entering a XC comp before next year.

You or the pony could end up badly injured or worse. What about a dressage comp instead?
 
Saucisson said:
:eek::eek::eek:

You sound as though you're quite young. If you have only been riding for 4 months it probably wouldn't be a very good idea entering this competition.

I've been riding on and off for years and have owned my horse for 18 months and I have no intention of entering a XC comp before next year.

You or the pony could end up badly injured or worse. What about a dressage comp instead?
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Read the profile, married with kids apparently!!! :D
 
If you've only been riding him for four months, i suggest you have some lessons with the pony, going croos country requires a good partnership, that only develops over time, so if something goes wrong your pony can trust you to help him out. That could be the reason he tanks off, some ponies charge around looking like they are having a great time, but in fact they are terrified. He might like jumping but In this case, he dosen't know you well enough for you to guide him round safely.
 
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Have you been without lessons or is that your mum?

Seriously - withdraw. I don't know who's told you it's a good idea to enter - and in fairness, I can only go on what you tell me - but I'm a bit shocked. XC shouldn't be on your radar right now. You sound like you need to go back and get some lessons - certainly both because of how long you've (not) been riding and how long you've had the pony.

XC is not for going into with something you already know you can't control. It is a different ballgame and *dangerous.* Withdraw, get regular lessons and good luck.
 
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i dont get proper lessons only practise with the yard owner whos my comp partner as well i jump in the arena and on the course i can get him 2 jump when he goes up 2 it i hack him out and canter him through huge feilds plus i ride my youngh thorobred horse
 
I don't want to scare you in any way, but please think seriously about withdrawing from this competition. If you were one of my pupils I wouldn't let you near a cross country course for at least a year - and even then it would be in a lesson, on a pony you felt entirely comfortable on, and over fences of no more than about 1'.

If you don't know what you're doing you can get seriously hurt, and I would hate for that to happen and put you off riding altogether. There's no rush - you have plenty of time to get better and more confident before enterting any sort of competition.

I had a very, very nasty cross country accident and will have to live with the results, and without my darling Cadbury, for the rest of my life. Please don't do something silly.
 
Chailin said:
i dont get proper lessons only practise with the yard owner whos my comp partner as well i jump in the arena and on the course i can get him 2 jump when he goes up 2 it i hack him out and canter him through huge feilds plus i ride my youngh thorobred horse
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Being able to ride him at home is one thing, but at shows ponies get very excited and the fact you don't have brakes at home suggests to me that cross country is defo NOT a good thing to do, your more liky to be tanked off with, which might put you off.
 
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I really want to do the competition.Can you give me advice instead of telling me to quit im not one for quiting i fell off my youngster and badly sprained my arm but i got back on and when i had a different pony on loan i fell off loads of times jumping and those jumps were bigger then the ones i jump now i can do it if i set my mind to it which i have
 
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Chailin said:
i really want to do the competition can you give me advice instead of telling me to quit im not one for quiting i feel off my youngster and badly sprained my arm but i got back on and when i had a different pony on loan i feel off loads of times jumping and those jumps were bigger then the ones i jump now i can do it if i set my mind to it which i have
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If you've fallen off loads of times jumping, then clearly need to do more work on your jumping. Cross country requires a partnership between horse and rider that you do not have yet, crosscoutry can be very dangerous especaily without brakes.
 
Mnuuuuurgh, I just can't help myself...

Look. Advice is precisely what you are getting - what it ISN'T is just what you wanted to hear. People are giving you advice based on what you yourself have said and I'm sorry, I do feel a need to point out that a) Spudlet's right, it's not quitting - you aren't giving up - and b) there is a heck of a difference between 'falling off loads of times' and 'spraining your arm' and the potential for what can happen when someone who is - and there is no other way of putting it, it's fact - so inexperienced is let loose on an XC course, *and* in comp conditions, *and* on something they themselves do not feel in control of. Get lessons and take your time! You're 13, you've had the thing two months - go and get to know each other and build your own knowledge and experience.

ETA to concur with Spudlet :)
 
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