How do I become a stronger rider?

[Whizza]

Evening all.

I'm just after a little advise please.

I'm a novice rider, coming back to riding after 12 or so years off. I've had my mare 8 weeks now. We have a lesson each week by a bhs instructor and things are ticking along nicely. Gabby is learning to trust me and I can now walk her in hand anywhere and she trusts me.
My problem is that sometimes whilst out riding, if she is unsure of anything she will stop and start walking backwards and wanting to turn around. On some of these occasions ( it's not loads ) I can't get her going forward again, if we are with anyone else they will go in front and she will carry on again. Today we went out on a hack that we don't usually do. She was fine for the most part but she did refuse to go at one point and I had to get off and walk her past a tree that was threatening to eat her! I can't get back on from the ground as she's too big.

How can I be a stronger rider, is it just a matter of her still learning to trust me? Or will it eventually come as I get better and more confident in my own riding ability? Or something else?

She isn't a perticulary spooky horse, she has the odd jump but generally that's it. She may have a little trot past things she doesn't like (like cows) also.

Please please help

 

[alainax]

You will never win a battle of strength with a horse, they must learn to listen to your aids. Do you ride with a stick? What do you do when she wont pass the tree?

 

[Whizza]

I do carry a stick yes and I do give her a little tap on occasion to get her focus back to me. I use my leg and seat aids mostly. I try and kick her on as well as talking to her.

Never had to explain it before, it's hard to put it into words. Lol

On this occasion I did get off as traffic was queuing to get past us on. Single track road. Traffic doesn't generally faze her though. I walked her past the trees and got back on when I could about 10 mins later.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

The way to become a stronger rider is to ride more and develop your muscles. It sounds as if you made the correct choice to lead her past the tree because you were holding up the traffic. The way to become a more determined rider, which might be what you need to become, is to realise that there is no reason why the horse won't pass the tree, if she will do it in hand, she can do it with you on board. If at all possible, next time lead her past, take her back, remount then ride her past. You will both know that she passed it without problem in hand, so she will go past with you riding. The more times you deal with 'scary' things in this way, the more confidence you will both develop, in each other.

 

[Whizza]

Thank you.

It's a bit of a viscous circle isn't it. When she's nervous of something it in turn makes me nervous of her being nervous. Although she has never done anything silly with me. More positive riding needed!

I don't mind getting off of her to walk her past things, I just can't get back on off the ground as she's a big girl, 16.1 and I'm quite small and not very agile!

I think your right, I just need to ride more, be confident and forward thinking.

 

[el_Snowflakes]

Confidence, core strength & commitment!

(As well as adding more tools to your box to you know exactly what to do & can maintain the above when the **** hits the fan)