I feel like such a Cr@p rider......

3Beasties

3Beasties

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I have always thought of myself as a fairly good rider, not great but good. Now though I feel totally cr@p!

I have always struggled to get Charlie to go in a nice outline but early last year we made a break through with this and he started going really well, now though he goes round like a Giraffe 100% of the time. He has gone incredibly spooky, is unbalanced and has started Napping when Hacking alone (something we have always done without a problem)
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He has had all the usual checks done and no problems where found so obviously that must mean it is something I am doing.

As a rider I also feel very unbalanced (obviously this isn't going to help the horse) and my lower leg position is awful. I am a lot weaker on one side then the other which is something I have only notices over the last few months, but it is affecting Charlie's Straightness.

I have had some photo's taken of me this week and I am totally ashamed of how I look on him, I wish I hadn't seen them! I am over 6'0 tall and look quite out of proportion on him which really doesn't help.
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At the moment my Stickabilty is around 8/10, style is about 2/10!

I tried jumping him tonight and he was strong, kept cat leaping and knocking poles. I know we are going to have to go right back to the beginning (yet again!) but at the moment I just feel like I should just give up trying to get him to go 'properly' and just let the pair of us go round looking like Cr@p together!

Lessons aren't really an option so I'm not really sure what to do. I though about getting someone in to school him but at the moment could do without the extra expense - especially if I am going to get on and ruin him again!



Not really sure why I posted this but I guess I just had to get it out!
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Why aren't lessons an option? I'm sure things ren't that bad. Try not to be hard on yourself.

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I would have to find an instructor to come out to me but Charlie is on a yard in the middle of nowhere so I think that would be quite difficult. I could also do without the extra expense as I am not sure if I will have a job from one week to the next!
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Expense aside. Ring around instructors say around 20 miles away from you. I think you'd be surprised how far some are willing to travel!h
 
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How big is he? As a tall person, I find myself feeling very at odds with my body on a small horse!

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He's about 16.2hh but does have very high withers so he doesn't even ride that big. I don't FEEL big on him but I look ridiculous in the pictures
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I have had him for 5 years though so it's not like I'm not used to his size, but something just isn't right at the moment!
 
Can you ask a friend to give you a 'lesson' on him? They can suggest movements and give instant feedback, reminders about position etc. My sister and I do this for each other quite often. We find it really helps to have someone on the ground who can see exactly what is happening. I also like to have a lesson on a mechanical horse every now and again, so that I can concentrate just on my position without worrying about what he horse is doing.
Another thought, does your saddle need to be reflocked? This can really affect your position.
 
Has he been getting a lot of grass lately? My TB carrys on as though on red bull when he gets the spring grass with his head out like a girrafe. I find taking him a hack before I attempt schooling. We all have bad days you will prob find so much better in a week or so
 
right kick up the bum time my dear
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you are feeling generally down about your riding at the moment (possibly as a result of seeing piccies) and the problem is that now everytime you ride you are going into it negatively and so as soon as something feels slightly wrong you are probs panicking and thinking "oh my god i'm crap" and then it really does go wrong- whereas in reality we all know that you have to take a patient, calm and an "i know what i'm doing approach". so you need something to break the cycle and IME lessons are what you need- even if its one every 2 weeks to give you some confidence and something to work towards. does nobody else on yard have lessons that you could pair up with?
oh, and FWIW, we all have periods of feeling like this. i do all the time...its my trainers who get me back on track
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[ QUOTE ]
Can you ask a friend to give you a 'lesson' on him? They can suggest movements and give instant feedback, reminders about position etc. My sister and I do this for each other quite often. We find it really helps to have someone on the ground who can see exactly what is happening. I also like to have a lesson on a mechanical horse every now and again, so that I can concentrate just on my position without worrying about what he horse is doing.
Another thought, does your saddle need to be reflocked? This can really affect your position.

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That is what I need, some one watching and nagging me all the time! I can look at the pictures and see what I am doing wrong but I just can't seem to put it right!

I got a new saddle last year and although it was checked every couple of months I have come to the conclusion that it just doesn't suit me or Charlie. This week I have gone back to my old synthetic one to see if that would help and I do feel better in it. Charlie also seems more forward in it so I will stick with it for a while.
 
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Has he been getting a lot of grass lately? My TB carrys on as though on red bull when he gets the spring grass with his head out like a girrafe. I find taking him a hack before I attempt schooling. We all have bad days you will prob find so much better in a week or so

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He is on pretty good grazing and at the moment he is still getting one feed a day just to use the feed up. I think this is why he is 'fresh' but don't think this is the cause of the problems.
 
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right kick up the bum time my dear
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you are feeling generally down about your riding at the moment (possibly as a result of seeing piccies) and the problem is that now everytime you ride you are going into it negatively and so as soon as something feels slightly wrong you are probs panicking and thinking "oh my god i'm crap" and then it really does go wrong- whereas in reality we all know that you have to take a patient, calm and an "i know what i'm doing approach". so you need something to break the cycle and IME lessons are what you need- even if its one every 2 weeks to give you some confidence and something to work towards. does nobody else on yard have lessons that you could pair up with?
oh, and FWIW, we all have periods of feeling like this. i do all the time...its my trainers who get me back on track
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Thanks, a good kick up the back side was definitely what I needed!
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What you said does make sense, I think I was in a negative frame of mind before I even saw the photo's. He has not long been back in work after having a month off (and not long before that he also had time of whilst I was waiting for the EDT) as I thought his back was bad, he had it checked and they didn't find much wrong with him so my theory for why he was being and @rse was blown out of the window.

I was hoping for a miraculous recovery after he had his back done but because there wasn't much wrong with him in the first place there was no difference when I got back on him.

I think what I am trying to say is that I gave him an easy time as I thought he was in pain when really I should have just got on with it and worked at making him go better, I was making excuses for him for too long, blaming his age or 'injury' for our problems.

Now I need to work on myself as well as him to get us both better.

Thanks for making me realise that!

No one at the yard has lessons as it is not a livery yard. I keep him at the yard where I work so I can ride with the two children that I look after, there dad doesn't ride, it's just the children and I.

I will look into having lesson though!
 
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where abouts do you live if you are close to me i will come and help you i am sure its not as bad as you think

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Thank you, that's a very kind offer but I think I am a bit to far away from you. We are on the welsh borders.
 
As Pearlsasingers sister
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I can confirm that having a body on the ground is incredibly helpful. It saves you having to think about everything at once, she can shout 'go to c and turn left etc' and also' sit down' 'think heavy thoughts' etc. It is very helpful, so if I were you I would try and persuade a knowledgeable friend to come over and do the same and then you can return the favour at some other time.
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