I need a hug, and a Vallium

[Imzadi83]

I rode a different horse last night. A mare named Sully. She was a little taller then my previous mount Stumpy and unlike Stumpy I could really feel her moving underneath me, even in walk! Stumpy just felt safe whereas Sully was a new thing all together.

She started to follow my RI outside then changed her mind and turned. I had to fight with her to turn her around and get her going outside. Things went down hill from there.

There was a staff member riding in the same arena we went into and she asked if she was a problem and my RI said no. She was because three of us were on new horses and two of us (me most of all) were having problems controling them. And when there are two other arenas available and this is a begining class I think other riders not in the class shouldn't be allowed. :confused: It's just asking for trouble to me. I mean, why make things more difficut.

First time around rising to trot I started to feel ill, kinda light headed. I have a chronic headache and am generally very sensitive. But it coulda been cause I had just eaten, I really don't know though. So I thought ok, you have two choices: get off or stop trotting. Ok I told my RI I don't feel good so I'm just gonna walk and practice turning. "Walk?!" she didn't say no, the tone of my voice said I wouldn't accept it. Maybe she thought I was faking it or trying to twart her athourity or something. Well I wasn't and I don't care if she thought I was. I'm 25 yo not in the best health and have had some near fainting spells before. I wasn't going risk passing out when I was six feet off the ground. Not worth it. I was really scaring my mother apperantly cause she said so and that I was as white as a ghost.

I got off halfway through the class and went to the bathroom. I made my mom hold my horse since my RI perfers you to take it with you. I prob shoulda asked my RI to hold Sully but I felt I'd been enough of a problem/dissapointment at that point. Poor Mom! The horse was nice but kept walking her around and around in the hallway.

Got back out and on with help of the instructer and tried again. Sully still wouldn't turn for me try as I might. RI said I need to work on keeping the opposite rein still and my body still. I thought I was. Sully must be extremely more sensitive then Stumpy. Sully wouldn't stop either. RI said don't squeeze legs. Again thought I wasn't so will work on it.

It was a bad night though and by then end I just wanted to cry. Felt like I was torturing the horse way she was turning her head sideways and fighting the bit. She doesn't like that bit imo no matter what RI said. Lousy thing is since it is a school horse I'm stuck with her having to use that bit. Poor Sully.

I'm a horrible rider apperantly and Sully hated me on her back. RI said all the horses hated her and I wanted to cry right then. I love animals and wanted to have fun and work as a partnership. If horseback riding is only about dominating a horse and forcing it to work. I should just quite now.

Oh RI also said Sully is good for everyone else. :(

I don't understand what I'm doing so wrong. The horses seem to like me on the ground but once on their back they run all over me and hate me. I just wanna cry again.

[horseygal90]

She sounds like she does what my old share horse did - Stuck her head right out to the side to avoid the bit. I was never told how to properly counteract it, just told to yank her head down :rolleyes: which I refused to do. I prefered her going around making an ugly picture to me feeling like I was torturing her. I don't think it is a bit thing - I could be wrong - but there are many other reasons for it. Unfortunatly I don't know what to suggest for you for that part though, sorry. :(

TBH I'd say go to another riding school - You're completly right, good riding is not about dominance, force or belittling other people who are learning or not as good. You're spot on, it's about trust, partnership and fun. It sounds like your current RI is not helping you at all. A good RI will not make their pupils feel like dirt, or like they're useless! I think she's also out of order by not taking your headache seriously (migraine? I go white as a sheet when I get one), it could've been the forerunner something much worse!

Sometimes you've got to get a little tough with the horses, let them know that you're in charge and that when you're on the back, that's the time for work and business. The ground is for cuddles and sweets! I don't mean beat them within an inch of their life, but be assertive, think positively and ask, then tell. Horses are far cleverer than many people give them credit for, especially the RS ones, they can often tell when someone's nervous or not as far along as someone else and take the mick! I think Sully sounds like quite a jump from Stumpy, but at the end of the day it will be worth it, trust me. My RI always says that every time we ride we are progressing, in whatever way it is, it's still a progression. It may just be that you've realised that there's a difference between horses, it may be that you end up jumping massively and winning a class :p Sully's just pushing you out of your comfort zone at the minute, it won't last forever!

P.S I hate people riding in the school when a lesson is taking place if they're not involved, it's just rude IMO, and quite dangerous.

[go max!]

I agree, I would find another RS. A good RI will give you the confidence and the skills to ride well, and while you should occasionally be put on a horse that will challenge your abilites, it should be in order to improve, not to make you feel inadequate!! And I see nothing wrong in spending a lesson in walk - I've been riding for more years than I will admit to in public, but if I am working on something technical or a particular movement, I am quite happy to spend an hour in walk. So dont feel bad if that's what you feel you want to do, just make sure you are still working on something and not just plodding around.

You sound to me like someone who would make an excellent rider given the right environment, so my advice would be to check out some more schools until you find one that suits you better and will bring out your skills.

Good luck!

[dizzybee]

:):)I agree, I would find another RS. A good RI will give you the confidence and the skills to ride well, and while you should occasionally be put on a horse that will challenge your abilites, it should be in order to improve, not to make you feel inadequate!! And I see nothing wrong in spending a lesson in walk - I've been riding for more years than I will admit to in public, but if I am working on something technical or a particular movement, I am quite happy to spend an hour in walk. So dont feel bad if that's what you feel you want to do, just make sure you are still working on something and not just plodding around.

You sound to me like someone who would make an excellent rider given the right environment, so my advice would be to check out some more schools until you find one that suits you better and will bring out your skills.

Good luck!

I totally agree find a new RS big hugs on there way

[horseygal90]

Just so you don't feel too bad - I spent most of my lesson today trying to get my pony to walk, he's the resident sloooooooow coach (SodCob has a bad back :() and although we managed a couple of slow canters he wasn't having none of it! It happens to everyone, not all people get on with all horses.

[Imzadi83]

Thanks all! :) I appericiate the support.

I've never told my RI about my chronic headache. I think she was really just shocked I would say no to anything since I'm usually very willing to try.

I didn't just plod around. I worked on steering which was a huge struggle with Sully. I don't understand why the two horses I've been on will behave for everyone else and not me! It's so frustrating to know I must be doing something wrong and not being able to figure out what it is. *sigh* I just need more practice I know.

I'm already paid up for this summer and can't afford to chalk it. But in the fall I will def go somewhere else.

[BlackBess]

First of all, big hug to you and sorry you had a bad lesson. But, it's done now, dusted and will never come back so just keep looking forward. Most, if not all, horses will test the boundaries with a new rider. If Sully really did want you off their back, they would've got you off. You weren't feeling well and Sully picked up on this - that does not make you a bad rider. Take no notice of whatever people say about certain horses. At my last RS, I was always warned off about two in particular, one was apparently a nutter and the other one a lazy plod. I rode them and they were nothing like described so ignore what people say unless its in the horses or your interest. It is not the job of a RS to make you feel like rubbish, the worst rider in the universe, that other people don't have this problem with this particular horse etc. It is their job to teach you how to ride, be safe and be a better rider. If you're on a new horse, start with some transitions from walk to halt, to get the horse listening to you. You did absolutely the right thing by getting off when you felt ill, you've got great gut instincts and you'll be the better rider because of it.