Some help with horse riding?

Question

I've asked a lot of questions about horses before, but I'll make this one more detailed. I know it's long, but please read it all.

I started riding lessons in first grade. Before that, it was just me loving horses. I went to the zoo and rode ponies in a circle, I went trail riding at state parks. But in first grade, My dad found a place for me to start. The horse I rode was a chestnut Quarter Horse gelding. (I rode only western at this stable. The instructor never told me she taught English) But his gait was as smooth as it gets. I was loping by the second lesson. (Of course at the zoo and state park I'm only allowed to walk the horse, not trot. So I didn't know that this 26 year old gelding was one of the only horses that is never temperamental, and has an extremely smooth gait.) This stable never taught me to groom the horse, only to ride. At the time I didn't think I needed to. I was only seven or eight. I was one of the most advanced riders there by third grade. Eventually, my dad decided that it was way to far away. So I waited. I learned as much as I could about riding. I discovered that there was English riding at the end of third grade. That may sound funny to you, but living where I do, a lot of kids only know about western. I waited some more. Towards the end of fifth grade, sometime in February, I couldn't take it anymore. I got online and started to search and search until I found a stable close to home. It took a few weeks, but by March, I found one. We took a tour there and the instructor told me what I could learn. Way more than at my old stable. I was so excited and by the end of March 2010, I had taken my first lesson. (Something I forgot to add: at my old stable, I took a riding lesson every week on a Saturday. But over a few years, our money situation changed. I can only have a lesson every 10-13 days.) But now it's November. Months have passed and I haven't even mastered the trot. The horses here have bumpier gaits by far. I've fallen off twice. I ride a different horse every lesson. I ride English now, in my small hope to jump someday, but judging by where I am now, that will be years. My dad says maybe the horses are just having a bad day the days that I don't do well. But that seems to be every lesson except for three. I can never stay balanced. And here, you have to talk to the horse for everything you do. That wouldn't be bad, actually, if there weren't people watching me. One of the thing I feel I /really/ can't do is talk. And that's one thing he highlights. But when I'm trotting, I try to keep my heels down, but the horse is so bumpy I lose my stirrups! Sorry if it sounds like I'm blaming the horse, I'm not. I've had people say that this is "real riding" and my old stable wasn't. But every person I ask has said that they've cantered by now. Is it just the stable? I've read books, and they've said you shouldn't constantly talk to your horse because it distracts them. My instructor doesn't want me to talk to the horse sometimes, but all the time. That's how you get most of the horses to go. I'm an immensely shy person, and I hate talking. But whenever I do badly in a lesson, I get discouraged. It's because at my old stable, I was one of the best. And whenever I go home, I try to learn everything I can. Like, how to stay balanced, how to move with the horse, etc. But I think every time I get more determined, saying I'll do better in the next lesson, I get worse. And I get more disappointed because I plan that I'll trot well so by sometime in December or January, I'll canter. But I trot the same or worse. I don't think anyone will fully understand my situation. But I have to at least try and get help. How do I stay balanced? Every time I start to feel like I'm doing well and the horse goes a little faster, I feel like falling off. I know about posting, but my instructor hasn't taught me yet. I get frustrated whenever I'm stuck at the walk and he never tells me what to do. He's usually doing something else. In those moments when the focus is on me, I mess up. Every time. Everyone says my upper body posture is really good. But then I think about my lower body and how that's not good. I can never stay seated in the saddle. I ride in jeans and cowboy boots. Please think about my whole riding career. I started on a really easy horse and learned on that one horse. Here, the horses are more difficult and I ride a different horse every time. What will help? I know: practice. But the thing is, I can't. We simply can't afford it and that's that. So if you say that's the only thing that can help me, don't post. Maybe some tricks to help me stay seated? Anything, I'm desperate. My whole life revolves on getting better at horse riding. In school, I think about it. At home, I research how to get better and watch vid

Answer 1

Oh, try not not to get discouraged! I think the riding only 2 or 3 times a month is probably your biggest hindrance. You aren't riding enough to build up the muscles you need physically, and probably not often enough to stay relaxed mentally. Maybe you can try an experiment to see if that is your problem. Talk to your dad and see if he would let you ride once a week for a month, and then take a month off from riding (yeah, that is no fun, but sometimes we must make sacrifices). If after 4 weekly lessons you are doing better, it is time to get creative. Talk with your instructor. Can you do chores for a lesson a month? Learn how to clean tack really well. Can you come and groom horses, muck stalls, clean water buckets, wash his car? If your instructor is willing to do this, don't blow the opportunity. Take pride in your work, doing the best job you can. Don't complain that it is too much work. Don't goof off with friends when you are supposed to be working. Horses are expensive. Your instructor has to make money in order to keep them. He is sacrificing income for someone to work off their rides. If you really want to ride, be the motivated kid that goes above and beyond. I now it is hard when you are shy, but you can do it. Good luck!

Answer 2

I rode a fantastic quarter horse when I first took lessons, and that really spoils you unfortunately. That was western as well, and the only place around that taught western. I went to a different stable for english riding and it is alot harder I think than western, but I wanted to jump.



You really are not riding often enough to even get a real chance. You are old enough that maybe you could babysit or do something to earn money so you can go more often. If you can, see how that goes for you, and try to stick with it for awhile. But it also sounds like your instructor is not very dedicated, and if you are not progressing much if you do get to ride more often, you just need to find a different place, as difficult as that can be. I went through 3 stables before I finally found the one instructor who really taught me to sit a horse; I'll be forever grateful to her. My parents couldn't afford much either and I went through times when I didn't get to ride much.



Pursue your education and get a degree and a good job so you can ride as you want and maybe one day have your own horse. Once you know how to ride well you mostly just need the experience of riding on your own because you will get experience you'll never learn in lessons.

Answer 3

I can ride Western but I prefer English. I've been riding a few years and when I started we learned to post the trot first, not sit. I'm a bit confused about your instructors teaching if he/she is not teaching you to post first because it's alot smoother for you and alot more comfortable for the horse than you bouncing up and down on his back if you can't sit the trot. Learn to post. Your balance will improve because you are moving with the horse. Ask you instructor to give you some lunge lessons. You ride the horse without reins. Your instructor has control of the horse on a 20 foot lunge line. This will teach you how to balance with your body and not use your hands to balance. By the way, it's perfectly OK to grab a little mane when you are first learning how to trot. Doing so will help quiet your hands and you won't bump the horses mouth so much. Work on lots of transitions between walk and trot. Don't try to just keep on when you feel like you are losing your seat (falling apart). Bring the horse back down to walk , get your self together, and try again. Most important...relax. When you are tense it makes your body stiff. Once you relax your horse will relax. Try singing. You don't have to sing loud enough for anyone else to hear but it will keep you from holding your breathe which you are probably doing if you are nervous and that too is making you stiff.



By the way, I think it's a good idea to ride as many different horses as you can. Riding one horse may raise your comfort level but riding many different horses will make you a better rider.



If your instructor is not willing to teach you to post or work with you on a lunge line then it's time to start looking for a different instructor. And by the way, voice is one aid. It should be used along with legs and seat, not by itself. As your ridng improves, you will use voice as an aid less and less.



Ridng a horse is harder than it looks. You are going to have to be super patient with yourself if you can ride only once every other week. don't worry about when you will canter or jump...it will come. Just focus on here right now. You need to have a talk with your instructor and tell them how you feel. If they dismiss your feelings, find a new instructor!

Answer 4

When trotting, think 2 1. Sit in the saddle for two, then rise on one. When rising, use your abs. Even if its a bumpy trot, you'll look amazing if you post. Look between your horses ears. Make sure there is no slack in the rein and it is straight. Keep your heels down. Even if it is bumpy. Make sure.

Keep your hands on the horse's neck. Stay focused. Try purchasing breeches.

When holding your reins, keep your thumbs up. Have your ring, middle, and pointer finger on the top, with your pinky on the bottom. Your thumb should also be on top. Turn your hand so your thumbs are pointing up, but still holding the reins.



You don't have to scream at the horse. Just talk to it. say, TROT firmly.

Purchase a pair of English riding boots. They are much better. The western boots are too big. Remember to keep your back straight and shoulders back.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yb5HorXDsjk That is a video on posting

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tgyabc_7qwQ&feature=channel that is about holding the reins



I hope this helped. If you get stuck at the walk, firmly say trot and urge the horse with your ankles. For a brisk walk, squeeze with alternating legs.

Answer 5

I don't know if this well help but ask if you can hold on to the saddle and think 'im doing it right' its ok that your having a heard time in one thing. I know it Sounds stupid but i have a heard time steering the horse at a walk. Every thing else isn't that heard to me but ya. English boots might be a little easier to. And sometimes different horses can help. English ridding pants might help you i know after i got my ridding pants my jeans didn't get in my way and my teacher could tell if i had my calf's tight enough. good luck, hope it gets better soon. But its ok by the sound of it your just were a little better at the western saddle. I know you problem don't want to hear it but try to see if you can put in some more practice. oh ya maybe counting 12 12 or 1234 1234 might help with the post trot

Answer 6

You sound so determined! I know that you feel like you have ridden alot in your life, but honestly you haven't. And also, waiting that long between times that you ride can really hurt how much you have learned so far. I condone your patience, and I know that you are feeling discouraged, but don't give up.



I would recommend that you ask your instructor to teach you posting. Especially on english horses, in english, most people post the trott. This will actually help you, and the horse, because if it hurts you then imagine how it hurts the horse's back. When done right, posting can really help your balance. I know that my current student found posting a world better for her balance.



Also, I know that it is hard to keep balance with your heels down, but especially when you start posting, heels down will flex the appropriate muscles in your legs to help you stay on.



When you get nervous, remember not to tighten your muscles, but loosen them a bit. If you tighten your muscles the horse will move faster, and most likely make your situation worse. If you are still set on sitting the trott, try to use your upper body torso as a mechanism to absorb shock. It will still be bouncy, but done right, your bottom shouldn't leave the saddle.



I tell my students to imagine that your butt is glued to the saddle seat, and to just focus on keeping your bottom stuck to the saddle. This helps alot believe it or not!



I hope I have helped, and I wish you luck!

-Stevie

Answer 7

Find another instructor! Unfortunately it's only going to be practice that helps, and it you find a better instructor who can help you with your balance you will improve.



I would stop completely focusing on holding your heals down, that should begin to come naturally anyway. When I was a kid I had dragon instructors who would simply bellow across the arena "HEELS DOWN!" without actually bothering to explain that if you're sat in the right position with your stirrups the right length they'll go down naturally anyway!!



You need to learn to RELAX you will be losing your balance because you're anticipating falling off and tense up, as soon as you tense up you start to grip with the wrong things, bunch up and then you're likely to topple! Chances are, when you tense up, you squeeze, the horse takes that as "oh I should go faster now" and there lies your problem! A half halt will help there (look on youtube for videos on how to do a half halt).



When you sit on the horse take a big deep breath, roll your shoulders back, stretch your legs down and then place your feet in the stirrups. Always make sure they're the right length, the bottom of the stirrup should be level with your ankle.



Your instructor should be teaching you some of this, and getting you to trot around standing in the stirrups, getting your muscles used to standing up like that. A lesson on a lunge rein would help here!



Find a better instructor, have a lesson on a lunge, and learn to RELAX! Your hips should be supple and be able to move with the horse, if you feel yourself tensing up, pause, deep breath, and off you go. Maybe taking up yoga would help here? That would help with relaxation and breathing properly (when you tense up your breathing changes, which just makes you more tense!).

Answer 8

I know how you feel, trust me. It's real frustrating when you want to get better immediately and can't. It will take a little bit of time, but you'll get there. For trotting help, I'd say sink your weight in your heels. Heels down is always key if you want to go on to jumping or even cantering. Sitting trot can be rough especially if you're on a bumpy horse and you feel like you're being tossed around a lot. Squeeze with even pressure from your thigh, knee, and calf muscles. Never press on the horse with your ankle unless you're telling him to get up/extend his trot. When you get to posting, remember keep them heels down and when you rise- your heels go further down. To be on the correct diagonal, just think of this, rise & fall with the leg on the wall/the horse's outside shoulder. Once you get to cantering, if you're on a horse you feel is too rough ask your instructor if you can ride half-seat (when you're partially up out of the saddle and leaning somewhat forward, not as much as two point though), it helps; believe me I ride a Thoroughbred with a really bumpy canter/trot.

With your instructor situation, if he continues to go off and do his own thing; have your dad talk to him. You're paying him for riding assistance not to sit there and watch him work!

You follow these tips and you'll be there in no time!

Answer 9

You need a private lesson on the lounge. Your instructior can take you through the walk trot and canter and you just have to sit there and think about your balance, and getting a feel for it. The insturctor has control of the horse so you don't have to worry about it, and you can build your confidence in becomeing familiar with the gaits.

Answer 10

you dont want to hear it but the best thing is to practice. and this next bit sounds even worse. just focus on staying on the horse, dont worry about positioning, just focus on staying on and working with the horse. after you can do that, then try and do it keeping your heels down. and once you do that, try and fix anything else. thats how my instuctor taught me to ride, and it really helped. when i cantered and tried to keep my heels down for the first few times, i fell off as my legs were too loose. but when i just focused on staying on it was a lot easier. so just try that. maybe ask your instructor if you can ride the same horse for a couple of weeks so that you can get used to his gait? email me if you want any tips or advice or anything :) xx

Answer 11

You should tell your instructor what you feel you are ready for. If he isn't helping you get to the level you want to be at, then you need to find someone else. I've experienced the same exact thing, and as soon as I switched to a different stable, I was having a blast and getting really good at it! And also, if you're looking to buy, then you should focus on riding one horse during your lessons. GOOD LUCK!

Answer 12

dont worry, i see hope in you. ask ur trainer if u could hold on to the saddle. or tell ur trainer that you want an easy horse to practice on. i realized that u dont have enough money so just some days go down and after your lesson and create relationships with the horse u rode. and ive been riding for 8 years now ive been jumping a cross rail for a long time and had thought it was rediculas. but i realized that its practice and if i believe in it, i can get better so i have gotten much better. people told me. so dont worry, i have faith in you. :)

Answer 13

your riding english now? it sounds like me when i first started (english) on my new pony, i had been riding before that, but it was my first horse, she had a really bumpy trot and it tookk me about two months to master it, just be patiant and dont give up, try asking your instructer to put you on a lunge, so you can focus on your position. i bought my horse and she was unschooled so that made it even harder. you arent a bad rider, its just you have gotten used to the horse you used to ride and now keep comparing them. all horses are different, different sizes, different strides. Practice makes Perfect :) xx

Answer 14

It honestly sounds like you need to shorten your stirrups and put more of your weight in your legs. 80% of your weight should be in the stirrups, you should never just sit there. Focusing on keeping your weight in your stirrups and a lot more will come together.



When adjusting your stirrups, you should put your fingertips to the stirrup keepers and the bottom of the stirrups should barely touch your armpits.