Those days when it feels like you can't ride?

[Pigeon]

Okay, weird question, but sometimes I can get on my horse and sit like a decent rider, deep seat with soft still hands etc etc etc, and other times I get on and it just feels like I'm flailing all over the place, tipping forwards and other nasty habits. I'm aware I'm doing it but not sure how to stop!! I ride well when my instructor is there, even if she's not giving me direct tuition, but revert back to flaily rider when I have lessons with other people

Does anyone have the same problem? Or any tips about how to help? I think it's a state of mind, because I ride worse if it's windy or freezing (pretty much all the time then ) - but how do I change this mindset!!

 

[Obilicious]

I have the same problem!!!
Some days i will get on put enough weight into my heels, sit up straight , have good hands etc and other days i will get on and it will be the complete opposite and i feel / and look like a complete sack of potatoes!!
I have no idea why but interested to see other replies!

 

[BBP]

Definitely. On those days I now change whatever my plan was, so I'll forget about the horse and think about 1 aspect of my riding, or i'll put up some jumps or Trec obstacles, or practice neck reining. Or if I'm feeling really rubbish I'll get off rather than annoy my horse and will do groundwork or loose school or lunge. That way I don't dwell on it and get mad at myself and make it worse, my horse isn't affected, and I get on the next time and start fresh! Might be avoiding the issue but it works for me!

 

[Iberian girl]

Oh yes, definitely have those days! Today, kept losing my left stirrup for no apparent reason. Last week, accused people of borrowing my stirrup leathers and stretching them, next day on same hole they felt fine again! Like you, it also seems to happen when I'm not being taught by my usual trainer and so I feel a bit at a loss how to fix myself or whether I'm imagining the issues.

I think we all have days when we're more flexible/less stiff (mentally and physically). You can have tricks up your sleeve - today I abandoned the increasingly annoying "slippy" stirrups and worked without them for 20 mins. Made me feel virtuous if nothing else! But ultimately I wouldn't beat yourself up about the off days. If you're worried you have a consistent problem though, ask your trainer to keep an eye on it as maybe they've become blasé to it too. I like having the odd lesson with the yard owner when my trainer's on holiday as she tends to pick me up on my bad habits of looking down and not keeping my shoulders back whereas my usual trainer, like me, is more focused on how my horse is progressing in our sessions.

 

[teabiscuit]

I feel like that when I'm getting a migraine, my RI said I looked no different even though I felt like a bag of spanners!

 

[SadKen]

I had a lovely trot today working from behind, still hands, no bouncing... Then I asked for canter and I wobbled, jerked, put my legs up by his tail, stuck my arms out straight, and leaned forward until I was almost flat on his neck. We did get canter but I'm still laughing about it now. Instructor says it wasn't this bad, but it sure felt like it. I think it's because you flatten on the tank of a motorbike when you open the throttle hard, and I've ridden two wheels more than four legs in recent years. It's definitely not just you!

 

[pogface]

All. The. Time.

No one is perfect for every ride.

All sorts of things put me off, I didn't ride well today, compared to how I rode earlier in the week. I get frustrated and down about it, but all it takes is for me to go on a hack and remind myself why I put myself through it!
I always feel like hacking restores my faith in a lot of things. I suppose it's what I feel most confident doing. Jumping is my nemesis... Today I felt like I my horse down. (She's a share but a very special one) that's what makes me feel the worst, that I've not held it together for her. But I'll ride her tomorrow, put today behind me and hope for better things.

Knowing that it can be better, because we've performed better before also gives me confidence. If we've done it once well... Surely we must be able to do it again!

You just have to take a breath - relax and focus on the next thing. Whether its a jump, or a movement or a stretch of road. Do something you know you can do well, then start again.

 

[Pigeon]

I feel like that when I'm getting a migraine, my RI said I looked no different even though I felt like a bag of spanners!

lol I get migraines too, probably doesn't help with the elegant riding haha.

I think you guys are right about not pushing the issue, just a pain when those kinda days happen to fall on the day of a lesson or show