galloping

[laurel]

Im utterly embarrased :o to be saying this but...im scared to gallop. I mean, im not exactly scared. Let me explain. I have galloped, plenty of times but only when doing extentions in the arena or the horse bolting. There is no way I can trot cos not many people go on hacks here, and when we do its through woods and theres nowhere to gallop. Now tomorrow afternoon i am going riding and my teacher and I are going to some fields. My horse is a thoroughbred so i am expecting a v.v.v.v. fast gallop across fields. :eek:
What if I fall off, lose my stirrups, etc. Gallop in the stirrups or just in the saddle. I am more likely to lose my stirrups sitting so please help. I repeat ... i am thoroughly embarrased to say this after riding for as long as i have. Should i wear my bodyprotector? Not many people do in this country and they find it wierd even though its safer. HEEEELP

[Harriet]

Hi Laurel,

Dont worry, you dont have to have a fast gallop, never do anything you dont feel ready to do. Why dont you just canter? not everyone goes flat out all the time.
Tell the person you are riding with you want to take it easy and yes wear your body protector.

Just relax remember you do what you feel is right. For the 1st time galloping on this horse, go on your own then you can get a better feel, occasionally horses can get more excited when with other horses especially at speed.

Hope this helps

Harriet

[floppy]

-wear your body proctector if you have one and feel safer with it

-gallop isnt as scary as it seems

-if you loose your sitrrups shorten them by one hole!

- raise your bum slightly in the air and lean forward

ok, and ehm if your instructor gallops then just let your horse go because pulling your horse back to make him/her go slow may not work and more likely cause the horse to start bucking and getting annoyed. and dotn forget if you feel that the hrose is going wild and you need to slow down brign the horse into a big circle making it smaller as he/she slows down...and dont forget if you are asolutely not enjoying yourself then say louldy HELLOOOO to your instructor or something..dont scream...but say something to your instructor and she will slow down...
my horse is a nutter when galloping with other hroses but as soon as the other horse slows down and my horse realised she is still going really fast but noone is following her she will stop promtly! she what may seem uncontrollable is not so uncontrollable! you might want to try gallop sooner rather than later and really just give the hrose its head...its better if you gallop uphill too because the the hill causes the hrose to slow down/not go so fast comapred if you were ona flat piece of land..i rpefer to gallop uphill...
sorry its soo long but let us know how you get on tomorrow :)

[fionahogg]

Definitely wear your body protector. Much better to look a little weird than to suffer a really bad injury!
When I gallop I feel more secure in jumping position. I shorten my stirrups a couple of holes from my show jumping length as well - this helps me to get my lower leg right forward if the horse decides to spook or something. It sometimes helps to bridge the reins to keep your hands still and this gives a bit better control as well.

Galloping should be fun, so enjoy it!!

Good luck!

Fiona.

[Dizzy]

Laurel, don't feel embarrassed, your certainly not alone. If I was you I'd tell my instructor how you feel, she's there to teach, encourage and understand you. Then if you do feel abit out of control and feel you want to shout up she'll be listening out for you.

Wear your body protector, shorten your stirrups and try to keep relaxed. And remember the best way to pull up is ask, release, ask, release.

Let us know how it goes, good luck and have fun.

Lesley

[laurel]

well, I am vvvvvvvvvvvvvvveeeerrrrryyyyy happy. :). It was really amazing people. There is such a big difference between galloping for 1 second in an arena and galloping in fields. I didnt fall off or even nearly fall off. Thanx 4 the vote of confidence. It was cool. Im cooool!! :cool:

[Murphs]

Glad you enjoyed it - there'll be no stopping you now! It is just such a great feeling isn't it

[floppy]

glad you enjoyed it :)
i had a wicked gallop yesterday with my instructor through the woods...my instructor was on a big islandic and i was on a small icelandic and my little one beat my instructor by miles :D

[Somethingroyal]

The gallop quickly became my fave gait once I started doing it. It is even more fun when you are on a racehorse going 40mph around a track with just a scrap of vynl between you and the horse. Now that is a thrill:)