Ouch my back!

[Retty]

Hi,
Have been reading threads on cantering which is very encouraging and loads of good advice. However, I have been cantering on the lunge over the past couple of days and now my lower back is aching! I know this is probably due to tension when riding but try as I might it's so hard to relax when you are feeling nervous! I feel ok when I'm actually in the canter, it's the aprehension of going into the canter that makes me nervous! I have a friend whom I trust on the ground and holding the lunge line so I know I only have to concentrate on myself, any top tips for relaxing lower back (have been doing breathing and singing!), also can only seem to let go of the saddle with the outside rein at the moment, anyone else had this problem?

Also any tips for back ache cures?
Thanks

[anuvb]

By the sounds of it you're doing okay - don't be too hard on yourself!

Try doing some back stretches (just gentle ones, side to side, forwards and backwards to start with) before you start riding to loosen up your back muscles before you get on. Also try doing some walk without stirrups. Once you have established a better seat in the slower paces (but be warned sit-in-trot is bouncy when you first start and you may jusy want to stick with walk fo rthe time being) then you'll find it easier in canter.

A lot of your tension will dissipate ( :) ?sp) with practice. Have you tried cantering off the lunge yet? If you feel reasonably secure on your horse, then I would try off the lunge on both reins and then go back to the lunge afterwards - you'll be amazed at how much your confidence increases just by knowing you've done it wihtout help so to speak, which might enable you to relax more on the lunge with help.

I wouldn't worry too much either about holding on to the saddle, we all do it when we first start. You'll know yourself when you feel ready to let go with both hands. Trust your instincts and just work on that breathing!

[Retty]

Thanks, I will do some streches tommorrow before I try cantering again. I have cantered before off of the lunge but completely lost control and panicked, leant forwards, legs came back and lost the reins! I was so frightened as we were out on a hack and I had no idea where I was and couldn't stop! My horse left all the other horses and we were off on our own:rolleyes: Ever since then I have had a "phobia" about cantering and associate it with losing control and coming off etc... Hence being on the lunge line, but maybe I would be ok in the arena to come off the lunge line if my friend ran along with me or something? I find it really hard to get balanced going round in circles but at least I know there is someone holding my horse! It's a devil-deep-blue-sea kinda moment! Circles and harder to balance or straighter lines and noone holding my horse :( I will just have to keep trying and keep breathing!

[AmIafriendorFoe]

Many people have lower back problems due to weak abs. I suggest strengthing your abs and just relaxing. I used to have a simliar problem when I was tense when the exracehorse I jump would canter, since he was a very fast canter. I relaxed after awhile because I learned to trust him.

[horsemad]

Well I think you are doing pretty well, cantering on the lunge - even if you do have to hold on to the saddle! It is more difficult to keep your balance cantering on a circle, so you will probably find it easier once you can canter in a straight line.

Having said that, I do understand your fear of being out of control in the canter (have experienced similar feelings myself!) and it is very difficult to relax and go with the movement when you are feeling nervous.

Do you have an enclosed arena where you could try a canter off the lunge? If you could even try a few strides of canter, down the long side of an arena, that might boost your confidence.

[mikka]

When people have a bad cantering experience, the fear stays longer than with problems in other gaits. It's natural.

Cantering on the lunge is a good way of getting back your confidence...BUT, cantering in circles is much more challenging than cantering large.

I'd suggest that you canter on circles, on the lunge, until you feel you've gained some good balance - however long it takes. Once you feel confident and blase about it, you could then try to canter large. It'll be much easier.

It all takes time. You've just got to get to that place where the motion feels natural and friendly and unthreatening. It only comes with practice. You just have to do it, and do it and do it.