Looking for advice

[Dust Bunny]

Dust Bunny
New User
Thought I'd sign up and get chatting. Just over a year ago I got back into riding after a 35-year break! I used to have a horse in South Africa and had regular lessons. I enjoyed show jumping and dressage. It took me about a year to really get back in to it, with two lessons a week. I though I was quite fit (up until 2016 I was running half-marathons and running regularly 3 times a week until 2018) However, I find the canter really difficult. The horse that I ride needs a lot of leg and I find it hard to keep her going. I think I need to strengthen my upper back muscles, because I feel a weakness below the shoulder blades. Does anybody have any advice? By the way, I'm 56 .... perhaps this is normal at my age!

 

[stormox]

Try pilates classes they help strengthen core muscles. But maybe its just that the horse isnt schooled, it shouldnt require a lot of continal effort to keep a horse cantering.

 

[Trouper]

Welcome back to horses!!!. At 74 I feel your pain that the body won't do what it used to. It is a couple of years since I last rode but I am still hopeful for 2021!!! I think your upper back may be tension rather than weakness so I would concentrate on strengthening your seat position more - stirrup-less lunge lessons are great for that. Once you have a good deep seat and, as @stormox says some pilates to strengthen your core, I think you will find your upper body relaxes better. Holding your back up and gripping with knees is often the signal to a trained horse to come back from canter so you may be giving mixed messages.

 

[Sir barnaby]

I agree with everything said above about strengthening your body, but maybe also consider using a pair of spurs, used correctly the are a super aid for asking your horse to to move forward from the leg maybe your horse is just a little lazy from the leg anyway.

 

[Dust Bunny]

Try pilates classes they help strengthen core muscles. But maybe its just that the horse isnt schooled, it shouldnt require a lot of continal effort to keep a horse cantering.

Many thanks for the advice. I'll give it a try!

 

[Dust Bunny]

Welcome back to horses!!!. At 74 I feel your pain that the body won't do what it used to. It is a couple of years since I last rode but I am still hopeful for 2021!!! I think your upper back may be tension rather than weakness so I would concentrate on strengthening your seat position more - stirrup-less lunge lessons are great for that. Once you have a good deep seat and, as @stormox says some pilates to strengthen your core, I think you will find your upper body relaxes better. Holding your back up and gripping with knees is often the signal to a trained horse to come back from canter so you may be giving mixed messages.

Hello Trouper,
You may be right with the tension because I'm trying so hard to get it right! It used to be so easy! I have a lunge lesson planned for Friday, but my instructor concentrates on trotting and I haven't cantered on the lunge as yet. So, pilates, lunge lessons and no gripping with the knees - got it Can't wait for it to start working! Thanks for the advice.

 

[Dust Bunny]

I agree with everything said above about strengthening your body, but maybe also consider using a pair of spurs, used correctly the are a super aid for asking your horse to to move forward from the leg maybe your horse is just a little lazy from the leg anyway.

Hello Sir Barnaby, thanks for the advice. I think I'll go with the body-strengthening first and make sure I'm giving the right signals before the spurs ... which I've never used before.

 

[Sir barnaby]

I’m 69 years young so I do often feel very weak in my legs especially my knees-especially when trotting. I have a young girl rides my horse once a week for me, so I cycle with her usually about 4 miles I have found that has strengthened my legs quite a lot.

 

[Shilasdair]

If a horse can feel a fly, it can feel the gentlest of leg aids.

So...get more for the leg you use, rather than using more leg.

 

[Dust Bunny]

If a horse can feel a fly, it can feel the gentlest of leg aids.

So...get more for the leg you use, rather than using more leg.

That's an interesting statement. I never thought of it like that!

 

[Dust Bunny]

I’m 69 years young so I do often feel very weak in my legs especially my knees-especially when trotting. I have a young girl rides my horse once a week for me, so I cycle with her usually about 4 miles I have found that has strengthened my legs quite a lot.

Okay, good advice. I've put my bike away for the winter. Enjoyed cycling to work and back - dare I say only 2.5 miles! Perhaps I should get out of my comfort zone, but it's so cold at quarter to six in the morning!