Just started horseback riding lessons and need help with balance and overcoming fear of injury?
February 28th, 2010
I am in my late 40’s and I have ridden horses throughout the years with no formal lessons. My experience has been only trail riding where the horses just follow one another. I have decided to formally take lessons with my eight year old and I am having trouble with balance, leaning forward, and hugging the horse too much with my thighs and calves. If I try and relax and give the horse a kick to trot I get nervous and loose my sense of balance. Anyone out there who can offer some suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
don’t be afraid the horse can sence your fear. I know how u feel I was there once but if you know the horse is safe then don’t worry you’ll be o.k.
February 28th, 2010 at 3:36 pm
don’t be afraid the horse can sence your fear. I know how u feel I was there once but if you know the horse is safe then don’t worry you’ll be o.k.
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February 28th, 2010 at 4:09 pm
I ride but only western so if you are riding western the secret is the way you sit….sit up straight don’t lean. Once the horse goes into a trot or gallop use your hips to go with the flow of the horse….I am not sure how to put this without sounding riskay so please excuse me when I say this but when I mean go with the horse I mean act like you are on top if you know what I mean. If not please email me and I will try to explain it better. If you are learning english good luck…..I never liked it this why I road western guess I am a cowgirl at heart. Good Luck.
Heather
SUZANNE Charter Consultant ID #1245
http://www.suzanne24.com/hlmorris
mrshlmorris@yahoo.com
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February 28th, 2010 at 4:15 pm
Hi,
Balance… riding bareback (have someone lead you) arms out straight, head back….walking….that is how I started out.
Not sure why your leaning forward…you should not unless you are jumping..What discipline are you taking lessons for?
Fear….riding more….takes time….don’t trot until you feel comfortable…and can keep balance w/o having to think about keeping it.
Just keep riding and balance and no fear will come naturally eventually. Good luck to you:)
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18+ years rding…beginner instructor.
February 28th, 2010 at 4:39 pm
I have been riding my whole life, my mom was a trainer when I was little and she is now taking lessons and going in shows…she is almost 60. She has gone through the same things you have even though she has been around and riding horses since she was 21…age is a factor.
You have to trust your horse, trust that they want to have fun and they will keep you safe. I used to lay on my horse to get comfortable with him, lay forward and backward. When you get comfortable with laying flopsy on him have someone lead you around. You wont fall off but you wont be holding on either so you have to trust the horse and move with them. Moveing with your horse and feeling them under you will help you keep balance. Also you can do balancing skills while someone leads you….arms out….posting…etc, your instructor should be helping you. Trotting is not a comfortable gate and not very easy to stay on….but the easiest thing I have found is to feel the horse under you and make sure you are posting. Post with the horse and hold on to the saddle.
Also, dont be worried about keeping up with everyone else, if you need to wonder around a few times in order to get more comfortable then do so. This is something new for your horse too, since they are used to trail rides. He will be just as scared as you are so you have to help each other. As for falling, it happens and it never seesm to get better.
Good luck and good job on moving forward. You will get the hang of it and you will have so much fun.
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