I need a little help!

[AnnaJ]

Hi

I'm a novice rider who has just bought a super mare who's temperment is fabulous - she is so soft and gentle and is always willing please. I'm still learning on her and have just started to canter but she's got a very, very bouncy canter and after two falls off her (one where I've cracked one of my ribs!) I've become quite nervous of riding her, even in trot.

Can you tell me if I will ever get used to her bouncy canter and start to enjoy riding her as some times I don't ride her due to being nervous about it??

 

[AmyMay]

Do you have a good instructor who can help you / is helping you?? It may be that being lunged on your little horse could be a good option for you. That way all you have to concentrate on is the rhythm of the horse, and not steering etc.

 

[Llwyncwn]

Why dont you just stick with walk and trot until you are confident about cantering. Get yourself a good instructor and explain that you have lost some confidence.

 

[filly190]

I would recommend shortening your stirrups, this will give you a bit more balance and a neck strap. When you ride long and loose your strirrups it is so easy to loose your balance.

Just canter in your menage and perhaps get someone to lunge you, if you start loosing your balance they can slow the horse down for you to right yourself.

We have all been there and it will come right very quickly, so please dont worry too much. You could always be lunged holding your rains and neck strap until you get used to her.

 

[Vicki1986]

Annaboo - ride her just in walk and trot for a little while to get your confidence back, then as suggested get a really good instructor that you have a good rapport with to lunge you on her. its all about balance thats all so dont worry you will get used to it the more you practice. xxx

 

[AnnaJ]

Filly190

Thanks for your advice, I'll defintely try your advice

 

[PoppyPony]

Hiya, i lost my nerve on my old pony, but managed to get it back! It feels so good when you get it back, you feel like you could conquer the world (maybe slight exaggeration)

I would recommend lots of hacking at walk to build the relationship between the two of you and help your balance, also lunging with no stirrups at walk and short bursts of slow trot a few times a week.

As everyone's said, a good instructor makes all the difference.

Good luck!

 

[AnnaJ]

Well, thought I'd let you know! I've managed to get back in the saddle today and it was fantastic!

My aunt, who's an experienced rider made me get back on my horse, Athena and I'm glad she did!

I managed to walk and trot on Athena with and without the lunge line! I even got about half a dozen steps in canter and it felt brilliant.

I am so glad I've managed to get back in the saddle and I can't wait for the next time!

Here's to happy hacking!

Many thanks to everyone who passed advice to me!

Happy New Year

AnnaBoo