HELP!!!

[georgiesparkes]

I NEED HELP!!! I'm hopefully buying my first horse, however I am so used to riding ponies my riding really isn't up to standard! I really need some advice on how to improve certain things:
- my position over a fence - I'm throwing my lower leg back very far, and I'm not folding very well.
- how to improve my canter transition - I'm leaning too far forward and my lower leg is going back too far

If anyone has any advice on how to improve any of these things to improve my position and my confidence, it would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you!

 

[Shay]

Riding as pony well is no different to riding a horse well. The fact you have been riding ponies does not mean you can't ride a horse. There are differences between horses and ponies but riding position isn't one of them!

You need a good instructor - both before you buy and after. Having your own does not free you from the need for lessons I'm afraid! It sounds like your lower leg position is unstable so lots of work without stirrups and standing in your stirrups.

 

[Crackerz]

I NEED HELP!!! I'm hopefully buying my first horse, however I am so used to riding ponies my riding really isn't up to standard!

Thank you!

Riding ponies is not the cause of your position issues! As said, riding a pony well is exactly the same as riding a horse well. Same position, same aids, same everything.

I'd go as far as saying 90% of my adult horse friends are on ponies and are all very good riders!


As Shay says, get some lessons off an instructor, and if you are that worried, book some lessons at a riding school on something bigger.

 

[ycbm]

You need eyes on the ground, but until you get them, you could try shortening your stirrups for flat work and then go up another four holes to jump (I go up eight). It's much easier to keep your legs under you with shorter stirrups.