Why Can't I Ride All of a Sudden?!!

LittleSoph

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Aaargh! I'm getting SO frustrated with myself!

I sold my last pony two years ago last May. So from that time until the time I bought Freddie, which was in April, I rode occaisionally for friends or on borrowed ponies.

Before this break I'd ridden regularly (daily or weekly at minimum) since the age of three and it seems the break has done me no good whatsoever!!!

I can not seem to stop tipping forward when I rise. I'm finding it hard to keep my heel down, bend my elbows, keep my hands still.... it just seems to have completely gone to pot and I'm getting so frustrated and frankly embaressed to ride in front of anyone! lol!

I feel sorry for Freddie, who's had very little ridden experience and has me faffing about like a sack of spuds on him.

But the main thing, that I think if I can correct will help all the other things improve, is this tipping forward habit!! How can I stop it? He just seems to bounce me right out of the saddle and forwards in trot. Any tips??!
 
Relax, you can ride!
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I think it's probably a case of getting used to this pony. Try to sit up, even back a little, and open your knees, it helps to balance and keep you from using your hands to pull forward.

You can do it, and don't be embarrassed, everyone gets a little rusty now and again. If you feel you're getting no where, book a few lessons.

Don't give up!! You'll be fine
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You may have tightened up through your hip and pelvis region due to not riding regularly. This would cause you to rotate forward and grip with the knee more than you recall from last time you rode regularly.

Just keep going and in a couple of weeks your muscles will loosen up again. Stretches as you would do on the lunge can also really help.
 
Hun, I had over a year off when I had small person....when I started sharing the boys I was rustier than a rusty thing on national rusty day
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Now ive been back in the saddle over a year now and Im better than I was before I had my munchkin
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( well I like to think so)

It will come...Time and patience and no stirrup work will do you wonders!!!
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Is it the ponio in your siggy? Looks like you ride him fine to me! Perhaps you think its worse than it is. Have you tried having a lesson or two to see what someone objective thinks. They might be able to put your mind at rest
 
Lol, guys, thanks. Perhaps I am a tad impatient. Ok very impatient.
I just didn't expect to be so out of practice when I got back in the saddle. I have been ticking over on friends' ponies but tisn't the same as riding your own daily is it?!

Oh hellooo there nic!

Jess, yes it's the coblet in my sig. Thank you
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I do need lessons, just trying to get my finances sorted after choking on buying the pony and everything that goes with him, lol. But I will invest in a good instructor over summer, definately.
 
Hi Hunny, don't worry, it will come back to you.
You look a little tense to me in the top photo.
Maybe you are trying too hard? It could also be the saddle is pitching you forward. (maybe try bareback for a bit and see how that feels. if you feel safe with that idea?)
What a lovely wee cob though! he looks super!
 
I had this problem also but was brave enough to go and have some lessons, and now feel so more confident as RI said I looked scary when she first saw me ride
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Are you sure it is not your saddle that is a little perched and making your rise forward when riding?

Are you doing it when your ride other horses?

Are you breathing correctly when riding, have you tried riding without stirrups to help?

Main thing is don't beat yourself up about it, it will all come together in time.
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I'm a big offender and do the same as you from time to time and I just have to remind myself every so often, but sometimes you think your doing it when actually your not doing as much as you think (if that maks sense).
 
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