Magicmillbrook
Well-Known Member
I had my first lesson on my young pony Flynn on Saturday. I have had him 6 months and have done lots of long reining and leading out, but haven't ridden him much as his diet has meant his saddle keeps needing adjustment. When I do ride him I just don't feel I am helping or improving his way of going at all.
Anyhoo. Started having lessons with a lovely instructor on her horses in Jan, working on position and balance and re establishing a good seat. I felt it was now time to have my 1st lesson on Flynn.
It was amazing how much I was hindering him by trying to help.
- I now have to forget about trying to follow his movement - I was doing it so much I was unbalancing him
- Slow my walk - I was trying to get a nice active walk, nagging him and again unbalancing him, whereas at a slightly slower pace he is over tracking and using himself. Active walk will come later.
- I must only use a slight forwards brush on the hairs of his tummy and ask him to walk on, rather than throwing my reins at him, leaning forwards & jiggling about (did't even realize I was doing it!!). She thinks he hasn't learnt that leg means forwards and had been moving off due to being put out of balance.
- I had done something right and his downwards transition from my seat were good.
- Finally, lots of stepping over poles in hand and ridden to build up his abdominal muscles.
Proof of the pudding today - first solo ride after my lesson and he was so much better, so much more understanding on both sides. My instructor is great and so is my pony.
Anyhoo. Started having lessons with a lovely instructor on her horses in Jan, working on position and balance and re establishing a good seat. I felt it was now time to have my 1st lesson on Flynn.
It was amazing how much I was hindering him by trying to help.
- I now have to forget about trying to follow his movement - I was doing it so much I was unbalancing him
- Slow my walk - I was trying to get a nice active walk, nagging him and again unbalancing him, whereas at a slightly slower pace he is over tracking and using himself. Active walk will come later.
- I must only use a slight forwards brush on the hairs of his tummy and ask him to walk on, rather than throwing my reins at him, leaning forwards & jiggling about (did't even realize I was doing it!!). She thinks he hasn't learnt that leg means forwards and had been moving off due to being put out of balance.
- I had done something right and his downwards transition from my seat were good.
- Finally, lots of stepping over poles in hand and ridden to build up his abdominal muscles.
Proof of the pudding today - first solo ride after my lesson and he was so much better, so much more understanding on both sides. My instructor is great and so is my pony.
