I feel awful. I'm such a useless rider.

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Took my lovely ponio clear round this evening

We did 2 rounds higher than I have ever jumped. He was great

I feel awful though cos I jabbed him in the mouth over every jump. And the more I tried not to the worse it got

He is so honest but I worry that he will just stop jumping if I can't fix it

I'm going to get some lessons as soon as I can

I feel awful
 
Everyone messes up, especially when you're jumping higher than you have ever jumped, as you said. Don't get flustered and feel bad - just do it.

Is your horse experienced? Because if he's not the best or most seasoned jumper maybe you could ride a good solid horse to get your position and timing right before working with your horse.

Just imagine what you want to do and take it slow.; We've all got problems. Heck, sometimes I can't believe my horse puts up with me! So don't get too down :)
 
We all have bad days where we don't feel we rode good enough for our horses, none of us are perfect but please stop feeling so awful, at least you are aware you are doing it and willing to take lessons to change!
I'm sure your ponio is more than forgiving of your mistakes :o
 
Dont feel bad at least you can acknowledge it - you see lots of people doing that who believe they are the next big thing.
Go back to basics, smaller fences, grids, poles etc and dont move up till you feel truly balanced and comfortable to.
At what point of the jump are u jabbing ie on landing or actually on take off?
 
At least you know you are doing it which is a good start, and taking lessons.
Maybe go back down a level in the jumping and get your balance again, height is not important at this stage, work on your position
 
Thanks all.

I am doing it on the way down if you know what I mean. From the highest point down to landing.

He is also very green and novice but sooooo honest.
 
I thought I could ride reasonably well and have been having lessons as I just retired the old boy (which I have not had for years). I have every sympathy for the horses I have been put on as they probably dont know if they are coming or going. I feel like I am experimenting on each one! The one today I must have confused him 110% but by the end I did get what I was supposed to be asking him for. They are very forgiving.


So its all experience and I think its good that you realise you need the help but sounds like you can correct as you realise you have not done it right. Good to have someone watching you from the ground. I knew when I had made the mistakes today and not done it properly but by the end I got it!
 
Really dont feel bad, we all have bad days. I was on the mountain for 7 this morning, on my neighbours pony, came home to lunge my youngster, who behaved like he had never been touched, even though he has a load of work done, and has been ridden. First time lungeing him in front of my sister(the better one), and he does that, he actually pi**ed off down the field at one stage, but my sister was the one who insisted lungeing him in the middle of a field!!!! Just because her horse is 14 and lunges in the middle of a field. There are days when i wonder if it's worth all the hassle, especially when things dont go well, but i feel that I love my horse enough to know if he needs someone better. keep the chin up, you'll be fine, i spent 3 years catching them in the mouth at the rs, before figuring out how to give with my hands. Imagine how guilty i feel now!!
 
OK, so you're not a perfect rider. Me neither. None of us are. But you're working on it. We have these amazing horses who try so hard for us and I don't know about you but I have to work so hard to ever stand a chance of being a good enough rider for my horse. Don't get me wrong, she's a kind, tolerant sweetheart. She just deserves someone sensitive and gentle and balanced who helps out a lot more than I do! That's why we have lessons and work on our riding. At least you're feeling inspired. Think of it as a call to excellence rather than getting down about it though.

Why not practise jumping without reins down a grid to avoid catching your horse in the mouth and work on your balance. Or could you try riding bitless for a while? I often ride in a natural hackamore? Maybe it would be worth looking at some types of bitless bridle to see if there is one that suits you and your horse. That way you will feel as though you have 'permission to learn' - if you make a mistake you will be less worried about hurting your horse in his sensitive mouth but at the same time you will have something on his head to communicate with him if you need to.

Good luck!
 
Not a long term solution, but you could try a neckstrap if you are able to not have a contact on the landing..but excercises like grids and things that have already been suggested are best I think for the long term.

Obviously your honest horse has an honest rider!
 
At least you know you are doing it, but for both your sakes go back to basics. He will not stay honest for long if he gets jabbed in the mouth. Stick to tiny jumps and practice, practice, practice. Only raise them when you never jab him in the mouth. Don't be tempted to enter him in higher rounds until you have mastered the lower jumps without jabbing him. You are not an awful rider as you know you are doing it, but if you continue, then you will be. Good luck!
 
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