My Second Lesson

[bobbo]

Had my second lesson, and it was a much better riding school. It was very much more professional and I felt that I learnt a lot more. I had a lovely horse called Scallywag, who had some serious wind problems! I had never felt a horses tummy rumble until yesterday.

I learnt to stand up so that I could begin to start a rising trot, a bit more practice at that required!

I also made a good job of mounting to, which amazed me.

I did struggle this time though, when trotting, my feet kept falling out of the stirrups and I lost my balance several times. The stirrups were the right length, it may have been my posture or my boots.

Any tips?

[Mark]

Hi bobbo

I'm not much further down the road than you so I can't offer any expert advice although I can at least relate to the difficulties.

I found a couple of lung lessons improved my balance a lot although your instructor would suggest it if she felt it necessary. As it was arguably your first 'proper' lesson sounds as though it went pretty well.

[Wally]

It's all a matter of balance and practice, Feet coming out of the stirrups will soon stop once you've mastered balance. Sound like you're doing well, keep up the good work.

[FRED]

Hi bobbo, looks to me like you are doing ok. Remember that it will take a while just getting used to being on a horse and going from walk to trott, its a odd feeling at 1st, bump bump, You may find that after 5 or 6 lessons your confidence and balance will be much better. If not, your trainer should work out what is the best course of action.
In time you develop what is called 'a good seat' and better balance, now you start to feel as one with the horse, but oh if it were that easy, you will manage to keep your feet in the stirrups too. Hopefully your trainer will guide you through these important early stages.When your confidence builds you will find you can take in so much more from your trainer,my advise would be to go steady and always be determined. Keep us up to date ,as its great to compare and see how all are doing. I'm in to my 8th month and have no regrets at all, although I have done things very different to the established way of learning at times.
Good luck bobbo,with your future lessons.
Fred

[Emmaa]

Hello Bobbo!
I love hearning of new people getting into riding. It's so great. Sounds like your doing fine for it being your second lesson! I had some trot troubles when I first began too. It does feel abit awkward, but it'll get better. Maybe to help you learn to do a rise and trot your instructor could use the lunge, so you don't have to worry about directing your horse, just going up and down comfortably. Just a thought about your feet coming out of the stirrups-think about dropping your leg weight into your heals, and sitting into the saddle. I know this helped me.
Well good luck with everything! :)
Emmaa :D

[Serita]

You can't beat lunge lessons - either for beginners or more experienced riders. Whenever you ride, if you can afford it, have a lunge lesson first- it makes a word of difference!

[belle]

It sounds to me like you are doing great!it just takes time to get the balance needed to keep your feet in the stirrups. after a couple more lessons you will be doing rising trot really well!:)

[bobbo]

doing much better. Got some better boots and my own hat. I feel a lot more relaxed around the horses now, and have managed a quite successful rising trot.

I have had one or two more hairy moments, I haven't fallen off (yet) but had a hangy-on-the-necky type incident a couple of lessons ago, once I had stopped laughing I was fine!

Love horses, just love em, so even if I never improve I am still going to stick at it just to be around them.

My last horse at the stables was a different one, who almost canters when I take her into a trot, a little bit scary but I feel a lot better than I did a few weeks ago.

thanks for your encouragement, I will keep you all updated.

[Mark]

Good to hear from you!

I have to say I did wonder what had happened to you. Glad things are going well.

Once you're hooked there's no hope for you!!! Life will never be the same again.

Mark

[Moonlightrider]

It's all about time. Everyone looses stirrups - but later you can keep posting, get them back, and still do okay in shows (I lost both of mine over fences and the judge didn't notice! I got second even though I did a full line without stirrups... praise judges with bad eyesight!). Lunge lessons are good, too. Expect the moment of terror when your horse starts cantering before you've learned how... somehow, all the horses canter wit beginners at my barn 2 lessons before we'd let them... are the horses on their own agenda?