Operation: Learn To Ride

[oldie48]

Looking back I have spent too much time having lessons with trainers who pretty much ride the horse for me and then when I'm on my own and don't have a constant flow of instructions coming at me, I am a bit lost and I think it's more difficult to develop "feel". I'm sure I'm not the only one who has fallen down this particular hole! I do wonder if this is why the UKCC approach is focused differently. I think it's so much better to have a supervised schooling session as long as there's a good "pair of eyes" on the ground who will ask you questions when they can see something needs addressing rather than just telling the rider what to do. Ingestre sounds great, wish it was closer to me!

 

[Ambers Echo]

Schooling session of 2 halves today. Lottie started feeling AMAZING. The nicest canter work I've ever had from her. Not falling in and not rushing. If only I had left it at that! Though we were only 20 minutes in by then so it did not really feel time to stop. But as soon as she has cantered once, she starts to take over more. So I re-established the trot than decided to run through the test I'm doing next weekend.

The canter in the test practice was AWFUL. Falling in and as soon as I put my inside leg on, running off in response to it. I'm sure it's an evasion. She does know what the inside leg is for. She moves off it nicely plenty of times. So maybe she was just getting a bit tired and for her it is hard staying balanced, engaged, round and upright in canter? So she falls in and instead of moving out in repsonse to the inside leg she runs from it. Anyway she was blowing through the aids so I did a few of those half halt and then straight to rein back if she ignores me exercises in repsonse to her ignoring the half halt. But she got upset. So the half halt which was her 'come back to me now' cue became a cue for her to run off. I guess out of anxiety. Great I managed to train my horse to RUN AWAY FROM a half halt. Argghhhh. So I needed to stop, regroup, go back to basics with halt/walk/halt/walk/trot/walk/trot/canter/trot etc Making sure she was always calm, obedient and listening. Finished with a nice controlled canter not worrying roo much about the falling in - just getting the control back.

I am really trying to 'ride what I feel' after all those supervised schooling sesisons at Ingestre where I am encouraged to assess what is happening then correct it using my own initiative to come up with a plan. But then I have a day like today where I mess it all up and come away thinking I have de-trained my horse, made her anxious and made everything worse. Which is why I rely so heavily on lessons and set homework tasks. I have had some lessons that feel pretty awful too, but I feel less guilty that way.

Oh well, tomorow is another day.

 

[Roxylola]

They don't learn anything in one session, even unwanted behaviours.
You win or you learn, today you learned - when it's good it's fine to finish early ?

 

[Ambers Echo]

They don't learn anything in one session, even unwanted behaviours.
You win or you learn, today you learned - when it's good it's fine to finish early ?

Thanks that is a very encouraging way to look at it! x

 

[palo1]

Thanks that is a very encouraging way to look at it! x

Everybody has bad days but they are never wholly bad - as Roxylola says, you learnt today. Hopefully you won't need what you learnt today next weekend but if you do, you will be glad of that opportunity!! Lottie has clearly learnt this previously so it is very unlikely that you have taught her something horrible today lol. Norty!!

 

[Ambers Echo]

Resurrecting this thread…. I loved my ‘supervised schooling’ sessions at Ingestre but could not justify the ongoing cost. So I’ve just been riding Lottie for a year or so. It doesn’t feel enough saddle time to make much progress. So - encouraged by a friend - I’ve offered to school/exercise horses on my yard for free. (I’m insured as I need insurance as an instructor for my confidence work, and have included riding client’s horses in the policy so I can hop on to show riders their horses are sane and fine).

I was worried that people would have no interest in using an average rider like me. But within a day I got 3 horses to ride! Rode the first 1 today whose owner is scared because horse naps and is spooky. Was a bit nappy at first but it was no problem to address. Spooks were half hearted and also stopped when I got the horse more focused on me. Owner delighted with how well horse went after some brief protests - and I enjoyed the session too.

Next non Lottie ride tomorrow. And later in the week,I am riding an experienced eventer whose owner has lost confidence after health issues have led to a long gap. So I’m getting horse going again then owner will take over.

Free riding! Hurrah!!

 

[Pinkvboots]

Resurrecting this thread…. I loved my ‘supervised schooling’ sessions at Ingestre but could not justify the ongoing cost. So I’ve just been riding Lottie for a year or so. It doesn’t feel enough saddle time to make much progress. So - encouraged by a friend - I’ve offered to school/exercise horses on my yard for free. (I’m insured as I need insurance as an instructor for my confidence work, and have included riding client’s horses in the policy so I can hop on to show riders their horses are sane and fine).

I was worried that people would have no interest in using an average rider like me. But within a day I got 3 horses to ride! Rode the first 1 today whose owner is scared because horse naps and is spooky. Was a bit nappy at first but it was no problem to address. Spooks were half hearted and also stopped when I got the horse more focused on me. Owner delighted with how well horse went after some brief protests - and I enjoyed the session too.

Next non Lottie ride tomorrow. And later in the week,I am riding an experienced eventer whose owner has lost confidence after health issues have led to a long gap. So I’m getting horse going again then owner will take over.

Free riding! Hurrah!!

I have got a few people similar to yourself to ride mine when i had confidence issues it's a great idea and everyone benefits I know I did definitely.

 

[Caol Ila]

I love riding other people's horses. I don't have time now and no one ask (thankfully) because it looks like I don't have time.

I wish you were here, though, so you could ride mine should I go out of town. I trust so few people with them unsupervised. The one friend I would trust (who owns Hermosa's son) now lives in Germany. A bit far.

 

[Ambers Echo]

Resurrecting this thread yet again. I rode the nappy horse for a few weeks but then the owner got sharer. I went to jump the eventer once but she was lame - owner said she'd get horse sorted and then let me know. But that horse has not been ridden since and seems to be a field companion now. And horse 3 fizzled out.

By then I was out compting Lottie, having lots of lessons with Joe and everything felt reasonably ok. Till Lottie was retired which has left me massively down on riding hours.

So just before Christmas I started riding lessons again - at Lodge Farm once a week. I might add a 2nd in and I might revisit Ingestre but it's a long way away and the cost is too high every week.

Today I went for a simulated lesson at Racewood Limited. It was fabulous! I had a mechanical horse lessons once years go but that felt pretty useless and I did not learned anything. Then tried again at Kelsall and it was ok but the advice was very hard to put into practice. This time it was AMAZING. There was a big computer screen showing weight distribution side to side and front to back, sensors on horses side, in the reins etc. So ALL of my faults were clear to see on the screen, and the instructor gave such clear advice on what I needed to do to change it - with instant on-screen feedback when i was getting more even and balanced Then she's turn the screen off to, see if I could recrate it, and give me little exercises to do to correct things.

The horse also jumps! So I worked my way down an endless grid set at cross poles, then upprights, then oxers working on the fold and my balance over a jump.

Super impressed. Will deffo be going back.

 

[Kunoichi73]

Resurrecting this thread yet again. I rode the nappy horse for a few weeks but then the owner got sharer. I went to jump the eventer once but she was lame - owner said she'd get horse sorted and then let me know. But that horse has not been ridden since and seems to be a field companion now. And horse 3 fizzled out.

By then I was out compting Lottie, having lots of lessons with Joe and everything felt reasonably ok. Till Lottie was retired which has left me massively down on riding hours.

So just before Christmas I started riding lessons again - at Lodge Farm once a week. I might add a 2nd in and I might revisit Ingestre but it's a long way away and the cost is too high every week.

Today I went for a simulated lesson at Racewood Limited. It was fabulous! I had a mechanical horse lessons once years go but that felt pretty useless and I did not learned anything. Then tried again at Kelsall and it was ok but the advice was very hard to put into practice. This time it was AMAZING. There was a big computer screen showing weight distribution side to side and front to back, sensors on horses side, in the reins etc. So ALL of my faults were clear to see on the screen, and the instructor gave such clear advice on what I needed to do to change it - with instant on-screen feedback when i was getting more even and balanced Then she's turn the screen off to, see if I could recrate it, and give me little exercises to do to correct things.

The horse also jumps! So I worked my way down an endless grid set at cross poles, then upprights, then oxers working on the fold and my balance over a jump.

Super impressed. Will deffo be going back.

That's really interesting about the mechanical horse. I'm going to have a few lessons as soon as my shoulder is happy enough for me to drive over to Racewood. I'm hoping it'll highlight things to work on when I can get back on a real horse.

 

[Fieldlife]

Resurrecting this thread yet again. I rode the nappy horse for a few weeks but then the owner got sharer. I went to jump the eventer once but she was lame - owner said she'd get horse sorted and then let me know. But that horse has not been ridden since and seems to be a field companion now. And horse 3 fizzled out.

By then I was out compting Lottie, having lots of lessons with Joe and everything felt reasonably ok. Till Lottie was retired which has left me massively down on riding hours.

So just before Christmas I started riding lessons again - at Lodge Farm once a week. I might add a 2nd in and I might revisit Ingestre but it's a long way away and the cost is too high every week.

Today I went for a simulated lesson at Racewood Limited. It was fabulous! I had a mechanical horse lessons once years go but that felt pretty useless and I did not learned anything. Then tried again at Kelsall and it was ok but the advice was very hard to put into practice. This time it was AMAZING. There was a big computer screen showing weight distribution side to side and front to back, sensors on horses side, in the reins etc. So ALL of my faults were clear to see on the screen, and the instructor gave such clear advice on what I needed to do to change it - with instant on-screen feedback when i was getting more even and balanced Then she's turn the screen off to, see if I could recrate it, and give me little exercises to do to correct things.

The horse also jumps! So I worked my way down an endless grid set at cross poles, then upprights, then oxers working on the fold and my balance over a jump.

Super impressed. Will deffo be going back.

eek re jumping. So could you fall off too, or are jumps smaller?

 

[Tiddlypom]

Thanks for the update! I’m booked in for a session on the eventer simulator at Racewood in three days time! That’ll be my first visit to Racewood, it looks very swish.

My session is with the human physio Pegasus Physiotherapy - I’m recovering from a knee injury. What with that and long Covid from Covid bout 4 I’ve not been on an actual horse since July, in fact your lovely Lottie was one of the last horses that I rode.

I’ve previously been on one of the earlier Racewood simulators without a computer screen to look at, that one was based at Kelsall. The computer feedback looks fascinating.

 

[Ambers Echo]

Oooh enjoy! I am looking forward to my next one x

 

[Kunoichi73]

Thanks for the update! I’m booked in for a session on the eventer simulator at Racewood in three days time! That’ll be my first visit to Racewood, it looks very swish.

My session is with the human physio Pegasus Physiotherapy - I’m recovering from a knee injury. What with that and long Covid from Covid bout 4 I’ve not been on an actual horse since July, in fact your lovely Lottie was one of the last horses that I rode.

I’ve previously been on one of the earlier Racewood simulators without a computer screen to look at, that one was based at Kelsall. The computer feedback looks fascinating.

Can you give us a report on how it went please. I'm interested to see how different instructors do. Pegasus physio has apparently been working with some horse archers on their riding.

 

[Cragrat]

Resurrecting this thread yet again. I rode the nappy horse for a few weeks but then the owner got sharer. I went to jump the eventer once but she was lame - owner said she'd get horse sorted and then let me know. But that horse has not been ridden since and seems to be a field companion now. And horse 3 fizzled out.

By then I was out compting Lottie, having lots of lessons with Joe and everything felt reasonably ok. Till Lottie was retired which has left me massively down on riding hours.

So just before Christmas I started riding lessons again - at Lodge Farm once a week. I might add a 2nd in and I might revisit Ingestre but it's a long way away and the cost is too high every week.

Today I went for a simulated lesson at Racewood Limited. It was fabulous! I had a mechanical horse lessons once years go but that felt pretty useless and I did not learned anything. Then tried again at Kelsall and it was ok but the advice was very hard to put into practice. This time it was AMAZING. There was a big computer screen showing weight distribution side to side and front to back, sensors on horses side, in the reins etc. So ALL of my faults were clear to see on the screen, and the instructor gave such clear advice on what I needed to do to change it - with instant on-screen feedback when i was getting more even and balanced Then she's turn the screen off to, see if I could recrate it, and give me little exercises to do to correct things.

The horse also jumps! So I worked my way down an endless grid set at cross poles, then upprights, then oxers working on the fold and my balance over a jump.

Super impressed. Will deffo be going back.

Which instructor did you have?

 

[Ambers Echo]

Nicky Caden x

 

[Ambers Echo]

Had a lesson at Lodge Farm tonight. Impressed with the quality of horse I rode. A TB who I was doing walk-canter and medium trot on. That was fun! I do feel I need to ride more than once a week though.....

 

[ihatework]

I did loads on a simulator that sounds very similar AE when I first got my dressage schoolmistress and my slightly rudimentary seat was offending her! The visual feedback from the sensors combined with good instruction is a real game changer to reprogram your body. I was a real convert.
I also tried the Mary wanless RWYM one which was dismal in comparison

 

[Ambers Echo]

eek re jumping. So could you fall off too, or are jumps smaller?

The horse jumps up to 120 and yes I lost balance slightly on occasion. I felt nowhere near falling but I imagine some riders might.

 

[Ambers Echo]

@ihatework the one at Kelsall was 'Rocky' and was with a RWYM instructor. It did nothing for me. Phrases lke 'cat flap bum' etc left me confused and clueless. The horse may have been fine, I'm not sure, but the screen and sensors offered instant feedback which was so valuable. I've re-booked and will aim to go fairly regularly now. I think it will be super helpful.

 

[teapot]

Some physios have ‘saddle’ stools that can offer some of seat pressure/weight/balance metrics - another option to possibly explore?

I really enjoyed it, and also quite hard having to move a virtual ball about with your seat bones

 

[Tiddlypom]

Can you give us a report on how it went please. I'm interested to see how different instructors do. Pegasus physio has apparently been working with some horse archers on their riding.

AE, I hope that you don’t mind me piggy backing on your thread, but as you’ve already reported on your visit to Racewood, I’ll add my visit yesterday.

Fab. Fab. Fab. Did I say fab ?

My hour long session was with Jen, the fully qualified human physio @ Pegasus Physio. I’ve been out of the saddle for the last 7 months, firstly with Covid/Long Covid then 9 weeks ago I injured my knee with a suspected minor medial collateral ligament injury along with a minor medial meniscal injury.

My stated aims for the hour long session were to discover whether I could sit comfortably in the saddle, and to reliably be able to mount and dismount without aggravating my knee.

I first spent about 20 mins on her portable physio treatment table being prodded and poked. Jen soon established that I have in fact injured my hamstring, which has been causing the pain.

Then much practice and helpful advice with mounting and dismounting using the mounting block alongside the eventer simulator. I was making the mistake of trying to raise my knee over the saddle but I need to think of raising my whole leg over it. Then some practice in wtc including cantering in two point with my hands on my head without my bum landing back in the saddle.

Altogether brilliant and transformative. I highly recommend this to anyone whether they are coming back from injury or not. I’m a bit portly still after my time out of the saddle, but I am well under the max limit for the simulator.

I’m back again in just over a week. I am going to be so much better prepared to ride an actual horse again in the near future.

I’d sent Jen this pic of me from last year to evaluate. Whilst it’s a lovely pic of the horse, and I’m not hanging on her mouth, it does reveal a number of issues re my riding balance . Plenty more to work on here

 

[SEL]

Very interested to know what she said about your balance in that photo - because it looks pretty good to me.

Always happy to learn something new.

 

[Tiddlypom]

I was tipped too forward, my lower leg was not secure, and I was resting my hands down. I would not have been very secure if anything untoward had happened.

I got sent a lot of feedback after the session.

Me sitting normally for me. The comment was ‘How you want to hang your leg - knee rolled in and foot turned out - which then when you put your leg on means that you twist and activates hamstring which then causes you discomfort at the moment.



Then after she’d corrected my position.

‘Versus whole leg out by opening hip and relaxing it (knee and foot face in same direction).’



Subtle, isn’t it?

Lots for me to mentally process, but I’m buzzing with it.

Btw that’s the dressage simulator in the background.

 

[CanteringCarrot]

I soo wish we had something like that here! Sounds amazing!

 

[SEL]

Really interesting because I suspect I'm much the same. My jumping position is shocking - I get away with it 80% of the time, but the 20% gets messy (painful!)

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

Thank you @Tiddlypom for sharing!

There's a riding centre down this way I think has a Racewood simulator which I'm thinking of checking out. Will look more into it now!

Previous experience of simulator riding was a bit underwhelming but I think if you pair with proper physio/biomechanics and/or the feedback screen it's probably a lot better.

 

[teapot]

Thanks for posting @Tiddlypom - wish there was similar down south! Not sure what happened to the one at Quob.

 

[Kunoichi73]

Thank you for the report. It sounds really useful. I think I'll book a session with her at some point.

 

[Trot_on]

This sounds amazing - love that it jumps too.