Bunch of problems-- confidence slipping!

[Damascus]

Okay, I've been riding for five years. I was very very confident in the saddle, and I could hop on just about any horse without fear. But then I tried a new instructor, and she completely shot me down-- comparing me to the other riders in the ring and things just got worse and worse, until I couldn't even turn the horse.

For some reason, I could do all of this when I was confident without thinking about it, but now I can't. My problems are keeping my leg directly in line with my body(I tend to have a "couch seat" position), and opening up my hip for turns-- turning in the opposite direction of the turn. For some reason, it's just incredibly hard to do.. some days, when everything is going right I'll be able to do it, but most days I can't.

Please give me some tips! It's what I love to do and I really do believe my future lies in horses, but this is so frustrating. It's like being a beginner again.

[NoviceNic]

Sounds to me you should be considering a new instructor first. ;)

A god instructor should always praise the postives and enhance/improve the negatives with the minimul of fuss. :) None of us like to be told we are crap. :mad:

[Damascus]

Oh, no, I haven't been back to this instructor. I've been sticking with my first one.

I figured even though she was a fabulous instructor, it wasn't worth it if I dreaded getting on the horse.

[LongShot]

Boy have I been in your possition before! I ride with 2 instructors and the one I started with use to yell at me ALL the time and compair me and get so mad she'd call me 'F'ing stupid and all, but I found that's just how she was and didn't mean it personally, she'd appolagize after every lesson too abd told me good job. (I love riding with her still!)

Some Instructors get there points across differently and I think it's good to learn how some people teach because if you ever want to become a RI this can be helpful.

As far as your riding problems~don't worry so much it's because you're thinking too much of it probably. Take your time, step by step, start back at basics if you need to! Enjoy your horse and some riders have times like this were it feels like nothing's right, I've went threw it before so my RI put me back to basics, jumping a cross rail in a perfect possition thinking out everystep the horse took for weeks xP I was upset everyone was moving on and jumping higher, but now thanks to that I can jump without my leg swinging back! Little accomplishments like that can go a long way with confidence when you try the basics again to secure your confidence!

[LongShot]

Oh Yeah!

P.S. -
Remember if you ever get too fustrated to the point you think you can't do it. Just stop what you're doing, take a deeeeeeep breath, pet your horse, and pick up your reins and try again! ;)

[leviskipperette]

Ive been there. Ive been riding 10 years and just picked up dressage with a woman to help her to train a horse. Some things are very basic and quite similar to western, which is what Im used to. I had a hard time with filling out my lower back, as she says, and I need to flex my elbows more when I post.

The most frustrating thing for me though is getting the correct amount of bend in the horse and getting him to flex more at the poll. Probably doesnt help that both me and the horse are new to this, but oh well, Im patient and persistent and hes coming along nicely.

[xtremehorseyfan]

I would really think about changing instructors, failing that change riding schools. The point of the instructor is to teach you to ride and feel confident on a horse, not put you down. Do not let him/her critize you at all, instead of critizing you should ask him/her what to do. I would also think about making a complaint because he/she could damage someone else's confidence if they carry on.

[jenmac_85]

Have you spoken to your instructor about this. By highlighting the problems you are having she might be able to focus and adjust the lesson to help.

As said before if you find you are getting frustrated and wound up about not getting something right, stop, take deep breaths (as I say to patients ''in through the nose, out through the mouth'' lol - gives you something else to focus on :D). Then walk yourself through it in you head. I do it quite often if I am going over things prior to a lesson and end up nearly flying above the seat I am that tense.

I hope things get better for you. Having your confidence ruined is a horrible thing

[slimjim]

Have u tried just riding a few times without an instructor and "not thinking" about what you are doing? You might find it comes back to you better if you let your body just get on with it

[crazyhorsegrl22]

I found my leg did that because my stirrups were to short..
but i dont know like some ppl said
take your time and work on it step by step:)
Good luck:)

[xhorseygirl13x]

dont get worked up about riding instructors,try and go back to your original instructor and take things 1 step at a time. i came off a horse a few years back and then i was so nervous u wouldnt believe it. it would take me about half an hour to even lean over the horse let alone put my leg over.. so *** i did was book a lesson every week and the first thing i did was just lean over the horse ,then the second lesson i leant over with my foot in the stirrup ,then as the lessons went on i gradually got on a just sat there..

i sat there for a whole lesson just playing with the horses main and my stirrups and stuff ,then i started walking again but as i was so nervous i became very unbalanced and dizzy but then i started turning and going thru cones and obstacles.... i did this on a lead rein until i felt balanced and more confident again .... my sister is a nervous rider but now i am fine and will ride most horses ,you must never be embarrassed because most people wouldnt even consider riding a horse so you are doing very well ! ...x

[Damascus]

Thanks everyone for your good advice!

I've never gone back to that one awful instructor, and instead I've stuck with the one that taught me to ride, who has been wonderfully patient with me. I've never been scared to get on a horse, but my confidence in what I could do was shaken bad. Thanks to my(kind of, anyway, I used to lease him) wonderful pony and the instructor I'm getting much more confident. I've also been doing alot more natural horsemanship.

I still have the problem with my hip, though.. When I want to turn across the ring, I can do it half the time, the other half, I can't get my hip right to do it, and my horse doesn't turn unless he likes the way my hip is sitting. I really need advice on how to fix this problem... Any exercises, suggestions, etc?

[Joyscarer]

My suggestion is that now you are back with your trusted instructor you trust in her to bring you on.

Make sure you tell her exactly what you are feeling about things.

A good riding instructor not only is good and getting you technically better but will also have a bit of the physcologist about them too :)

Help her to help you by being straight about your doubts ;)