"Really riding"

[laura jeanne]

In my lesson last night, I concentrated on turning out my toes more and keeping my lower leg against my horse and altho I didn't ride the horse that was so wide, she was still 16.1 hh.

I'm thinking this had a good effect because for about the first time, I felt like I was controling my horse while cantering. Twice I had to canter through and around some others in the arena and whereas before I would have kind of pulled up and tried to get out of their way, this time I was able to actually steer my horse while cantering instead of just kind of being along for the ride.

My instructor called out, "You're really riding her!"

(Slipping into study at 5:20 a.m., I'm typing this instead of getting ready for work.)

[galadriel]

Congratulations!

[laura jeanne]

Thanks, I was very happy about it.

[kedwards]

Well done! I used to love the "now your really riding" comments from my instructor when I was starting. Unfortunately, in my case, they always seemed to come when the horse was acting up. Perhaps those were the only times I stopped trying to over-intellectualize things and just did what I needed to do.

[laura jeanne]

Thanks Kedwards, it was great to feel her responding to my aids.

[KarinUS]

Awesome. I love those lightbulb moments... :D

[FreedomStar]

That's awesome! These moments where it all just clicks is the best.

[SwiftwindSpirit]

Well done! :D Those moments are definately one of the greatest!

[laura jeanne]

Thanks everyone who answered. The last few lessons since I first posted this I have been still working on this. In my lesson this week my instructor spent a lot of time helping me (just OH and I have been in the lessons).

We worked on my outside aids which for some reason I have been just ignoring as there seem to be so many other things to think about. She had me trotting and cantering in a sort of rectangle so that I would go straight on the sides and then deep into the corners. I was not keeping contact on the outside rein and my outside leg was just doing nothing! Also, I need to keep my hands higher, my riens shorter, and use an indirect rein on the corners.

The really discouraging thing is that quiet old OH is just riding around doing all this naturally while I am struggling with it. :P

[kedwards]

The really discouraging thing is that quiet old OH is just riding around doing all this naturally while I am struggling with it. :P

Maybe he's just not letting on when he struggles.

But, from your description, it sounds like things are coming along very well for both of you.