I just..er..need help!

[iWuvHorses]

Ya see,im 14 years old and just LOVE horses,and when i was younger (around 10 or 11)i didnt have a horse then but i rode my mom's friend's horse,one day i was just riding him around a pasture when he started bucking and i fell off...i was shaken and it scared me..and i didnt ride him again untill my mom's friend offerd to take me to a horse show with her(wich was 2 weeks later) and let me ride him there...i was nervous at first but determined so i went..i got on him and was riding him around the arena just for some practice when he took off and started bucking and i fell off(it was so embarrassing! -_-)..and now ever since then,i have had a fear that it would happen to me again! ::shudders:: i have my own horse now (i have ony had him 3 monts)..and yes,i ride him...but theres still that bit o' fear...and if it does hapen again i dont wanna fall...! Any help? PLEASE!
Thankies everyone! ^_^!!!

[virtuallyhorses]

Is it possible to get some lessons? or at least have an experienced person watch you ride for a while?

The bucking thing seems to be a common theme, so perhaps something about your riding is setting them off (which I presume is what you're concerned about) - a leg too far back, or thumping into the saddle.... some experienced help or lessons will identify this and\or give you some much needed confidence :)

[kedwards]

Embarrassment is the least of the worries about falling off. Believe me, if you ride, own, or otherwise deal with horses for any length of time, you'll have plenty of great opportunities to look silly... it just goes with the territory.

Now, safety is another issue entirely. Nobody here can promise you that your horse won't spook, bolt, or buck. Nor that you won't fall off. A certain level of risk goes along with the activity. That said, there are things you can do to minimize the risk.

If you aren't in lessons, I would definitely recommend that. The more you learn about riding, the better position you will be in to teach your new horse and to avoid his learning bad habits. Obviously, always ride with your helmet and make sure there is someone around when you are riding.

Welcome to the board. You will find this is a very friendly and helpful place.

[iWuvHorses]

I cant afford lessons... ;_;
Or well...is there anyone out there from St.lucie county Florida and knows where theres a place where i can get cheap lessons?o.o;;

Thankies everyone!

[maverick927]

I couldn't afford lessons when I got my pony and I was incredible nervous. Although i didn't have the probel mabout worrying about getting bucked off. I just fell off.

A few tips.

1) When you fall off laugh, it makes an amzing difference
2) Start slowly when you ride, don't go fast if you don't want to and do it in an enclosed space when you do go faster. At least you'll know that you won't end up in the middle of no where.
3) Start saving or if you're old enough get a job so that you can have lessons.

GOOD LUCK

[iWuvHorses]

Thanks for the tips! ^.^

Theres a place around where i live that has lessons for $20.00 a day...im gonna start savng up and maybe get to go twice a week...but thats a big MAYBE.

Thankies! ^_^!!!

[FreedomStar]

Another tip, try to control that little bit of fear. It could be that when you rode your friends horse, you were nervous, or excited, or something, and you communicated that emotion to the horse. The horse may have just been reacting to that.

[HorseDancer]

If you can't have lessons then try to find some websites or books that have details of beginner riding and even better some pics that show you how to's. Then go and practice getting it right. One thing you can start right away practising is sitting up straight and tall and keeping your legs under body with your heels down and your toes pointed partially forward. This position is every rider's basic position and also helps to keep you in the saddle should bucking or other happenings occur. Try not to use your legs for "grip" because if you become scared or tense and grip harder then your horse is thinking go, go, go. Go to the library for books and also check out old book stores where you might get them cheap. At least you will get an idea of riding skills this way and then maybe when you can afford it, get lessons and improve on what you've practised on your own.

[Shmon]

Go to the library and get some books on riding!! I bought George Morris' Hunter Seat Equitation , and I've already read it 3 times in the month since I got it. I do take lessons, but it helps a TON to read it when I'm not riding. I learn more from it every time I read it. Also, I've heard Sally Swift's Centered Riding is really good, although I haven't read it. A lot of these books have some example exercises you can practice on your own, too.

Keep practicing! The more you ride, the more confident you'll get.

[iWuvHorses]

Ok,thanks guys..i'll try and get some books like that..but does anyone know of any websites that have some info? i'd be realy thankful if you did. ^_^

(This message board just keeps gettin better and better.)

[Dressage_Luvr]

hi,

lol,

when im upset about something, like today, the saddle i had didnt fit me, but its the only one that fit the horse i was riding, so i had to deal,
plus the stirrups were way too short, but it was as long as they went,

lol, ok, im a person who loves to laugh, so i just thought about how dumb i looked sitting there pouting, with my knees up at my chin.

lol,
might now work for you, but i try to think of the funny side of things!

[B W]

The barn where I keep my horse lets young people do work around the barn (muck stalls etc) in exchange for board or riding lessons. Check with the barn you spoke of and see if that would be an option. I'm much much older than you and have a 9 yr old QH that I just love. He's a nice horse but there are times when he gets excited and once or twice he has reared and once he bucked. I will not accept that and we've spent much time in the round pen working on respect from the ground. I believe in my heart it has carried over into the saddle. And remember, a little fear is a good thing. After all, we are on some large animals that may seem gentle but can become really big all of a sudden. Get to know your horse. The horse you rode sounds like one I would not want to have. You may have a horse that will not buck or rear. Find out the worse thing your horse does so you will know what you are dealing with. Good luck.

[Mary Ann Bright]

What about a local pony club or riding club? At the pony club i used to go to we had whole days of lessons twice a month for 8 months of the year (not summer- too hot;) ) for just a $40 membership and insurance. Sometimes a different instructor would give a clinic, that would cost extra, but pony cllub is a great way to learn and have fun with your horse!:D

[kedwards]

Have you checked out the tips on this website? If you haven't yet, go to the home page of the NewRider site and find the link to "the kinder way to ride" section by Heather Moffet.

Books are great, and there are many I'd recommend. But remember that your horse is still learning too (a three year old has a lots to still learn). There's nothing like having someone there, in person, to check up on both of your progress. Even taking lessons twice a month would be a start. Your instructor could give you some ideas for what to work on in-between lessons, including riding exercises or even lunging.

I'd also second the recommendation to check into whether there is a local Pony Club.

Here is a link to a list of Pony Clubs in Florida:
http://www.ericsdomain.net/USPC/uspc.asp?regionnum=200

[iWuvHorses]

THANKS! The pony club thing sounds like a good idea...but...i have to bring my own horse to ride at the pony club...or do i ride one of their's?

[Mary Ann Bright]

You bring your own horse to pony club. Some clubs do have a 'riders without horses' scheme where you can borrow a horse, though. POny club would be a good experiance for a young horse to get used to a different environment as well :)