Trotting poles, keeping the rhythm going - lesson update

[kiwigirl]

Well my lesson yesterday involved trying to keep a nice rhythmic trot whilst going over 3 seperate sets of trotting poles in a large circle.

Firstly it was boiling hot so felt knackerd constantly squeezing the horse on in the heat - does anyone else have days like this when they sometimes just don't have the energy for it? Luckily the horse is quite responsive.

Then going over the poles was fine, although it feels alot more bouncier and was wondering how you are supposed to rise when going over? I just stayed in my normal rhythm. Also the instructor got me to shout out horse, pig, cow duck as I went over each one as a means of trying to keep the rhythm and to distract me so I relax more.

I am told alot I look tense at times. Anyone else have this issue? I don't really realise I do but I know I do concentrate very hard and do want to stay on the horse!

So did many rounds of this and there were times where Suzie would duck out of going over them so had to focus on putting on more leg to keep her straight.

Should you squeeze more with your calves of tap with your leg to keep the horse straight when going over poles? For example if the horse starts to veer left to avoid them should you use your left leg to bring her back squeeze or tap?

Also did some work on speeding up the trot and slowing down by rising faster or slower. Anyone done this?

Finally I can't believe how much there is to learn and practice! Seems like I am never going to do a perfect trot!

[danielle:>]

It sounds like you are making progress in your lessons, so well done! It does take time to get everything perfect, I'm guessing you're quite new to riding? Don't worry, there will be a time when everything clicks and you wonder what you found so hard before!

About the squeezing or tapping questions, I do both actually. In an ideal world, your horse would respond to the slightest aid so you would only need a little squeeze. However, RS horses are usually quite lazy and not very responsive to very slight aids (just generalizing here obviously, you do get some RS horses which are very sensitive to you aids, but the majority aren't). Therefore, you will probably need to tap with you leg to get the horse to move over.

Anyway, good luck with your lessons, and keep us updated on how you are getting on!

Danielle
xxx

[kiwigirl]

Thanks Danielle. I am up to about my 14th lesson so yes new to riding but had expectations I would be brilliant by now! But looking back I am probably heaps more improved. Just don't want to plateau at this point. Has that happened to anyone and definitely don't want to regress!

[Nazdaq]

Kiwigirl, I plateaued a while back because my nerves were holding me back, I had a lesson with a different RI and now my nerves are alot less and I am able to canter! I am progressing so fast now its unbelievable! :D I was progressing slower then normal before, and now I'm progressing faster then normal I would say (should be caught up with the rest of the girls in the group I ride in within a matter of weeks!) :p :)