One of those days when I'm convinced I can't ride...

[Pippity]

I wish I could afford to have my instructor there every time I ride, because it's the only time I feel even vaguely capable!

Last night, I just could not get B. to pay attention and work. I see how well he goes with his owner riding him, and how he goes with me riding him, and feel like I should be booted back to riding school plods.

It probably doesn't help my confidence that, while I was between horses, I had a couple of lessons with a different instructor, who spent the whole time telling me what I was doing wrong, rather than what I should be doing.

I'm just telling myself it's only my fourth time riding him, and the first time riding him without my instructor, and it will get better.

 

[Mrs B]

Don't worry - we all get those! (I get rather a lot )

Keep at it with your instructor and ask him/her to give you a coupe of bits of 'homework' to concentrate on when they're not around: if you try to remember everything all at once, chances are it'll all go to pot (I know, because it happens to me and I've been riding for *coughs* about *mumbles* 45 plus years ...)

Good luck and keep us posted

 

[Princess Rosie]

Totally agree with Mrs B's post, ive got 36yrs under my belt and I still have times like this (anyone that says they don't is fibbing!) find yourself a decent instructor and definitely get them to give you homework to do between lessons. Never compare yourself to anyone else (ie the owner), everyone rides differently and you have to develop confidence in your own abilities. Do you have a trusted friend on your yard who would act as eyes on the ground for you (but not be too critical of you) so they can offer you some pointers while you are in the saddle?

It is very early days riding the horse and it does take time to get used to a horse and them get used to you.

 

[Pippity]

Totally agree with Mrs B's post, ive got 36yrs under my belt and I still have times like this (anyone that says they don't is fibbing!) find yourself a decent instructor and definitely get them to give you homework to do between lessons. Never compare yourself to anyone else (ie the owner), everyone rides differently and you have to develop confidence in your own abilities. Do you have a trusted friend on your yard who would act as eyes on the ground for you (but not be too critical of you) so they can offer you some pointers while you are in the saddle?

It is very early days riding the horse and it does take time to get used to a horse and them get used to you.

Unfortunately, I'm very new to the yard and, as B.'s on full livery, I don't have the opportunity to get to know people while doing chores. (It's very weird, but I actually miss mucking out!)

Thankfully, my regular instructor is fanastic, and she does give me 'homework' and pointers on how to school effectively when she isn't there. It's just that B. was completely switched off and I couldn't figure out how to get him switched on. I think he was possibly too focused on being brave and looking after me, which is not his normal mindset! No doubt he'll be back to his normal spooky self when he's used to me riding him without a familiar face being present. (My instructor's been working with B. and his owner for years, so he knows her well.)

He's such a good, smart, willing boy that I'm sure I'll crack it eventually!

 

[Steorra]

Don't be hard on yourself - I think we all have those days! If it helps at all, my most frustrating times with riding have always come just before a breakthrough!

What is the tone of your lessons like? I ask because I’ve had lessons where the instructor was almost riding the horse from the ground, giving me lots of instructions, and however good the result on the day I wasn’t actually learning how to achieve the same thing independently. There are times when this can be helpful – to give the rider a feel of what they are aiming for – but ideally the instructor should be giving you tools and the knowledge of when to apply them too.

If you aren’t already, find time in your lessons where your instructor observes quietly as you perform an exercise, then discuss how you feel it went together afterwards. When your instructor asks “how does that feel,” don’t just say good/better/rushed/hollow. Think about what could be improved and how to do it, then share your ideas with your instructor to see whether you are on the right lines. Eg: “The rhythm feels more even now but he is still dropping his inside shoulder – should I work some shoulder-fore then try again?”

Once you are used to thinking in this way it becomes much easier to find the right exercise/method/solution when you are schooling on your own.

 

[Pippity]

If you aren’t already, find time in your lessons where your instructor observes quietly as you perform an exercise, then discuss how you feel it went together afterwards. When your instructor asks “how does that feel,” don’t just say good/better/rushed/hollow. Think about what could be improved and how to do it, then share your ideas with your instructor to see whether you are on the right lines. Eg: “The rhythm feels more even now but he is still dropping his inside shoulder – should I work some shoulder-fore then try again?”

Once you are used to thinking in this way it becomes much easier to find the right exercise/method/solution when you are schooling on your own.

That's great advice, thank you! I've got a lesson at the weekend, so I'll try to put it into practice then.

 

[Steorra]

Glad I was helpful *proud*. Have a good one!