On or off?

[Jo]

I'm a very laid back person and tend to communicate this to all the horses I ride. The thing is that I have difficulty motivating the average lazy mare and even had problems with a feisty gelding today. For eveyone else he is off at a canter at the least bidding but me - well, I had trouble trotting. I was very depressed after my lesson although my instructor said I did well to switch him off. The thing is, I didn't mean to switch him off! I like a horse with a bit of spirit! How can I get my horse going? I've tried gentle - and more persistent - tap, tap, taps and I would have used the whip but it had been taken away from me because the horse is usually so fast! It worries me because i was beginning to lose my cool with him - to no avail!

[Heather]

Read the new pages on rising trot, Jo- horses are usually lazy because of something you are doing to them, mostly impeding their natural movement. Hope the new pages help.

Heather

[Jo]

Got it! Thanks, Heather! I'm all over the place on a horse, sometimes. I'm not a very balanced person and I know I keep tilting forward. my instructor is always telling me to sit up and explaines why. I guess my horse didn't trot because my position was all wrong. Back to the dining chair!