First-Time Rider Beginner Lessons

[Palomino13]

Hi! I just started riding and have really enjoyed it! I have a question, though...why do so many people say that a canter is so scary and hard to hang on? I ave only had 3 lessons, gone on 4 trail rides, and have been stepped on by a Thoroughbred, the same horse I first cantered on. The only times I have ever cantered were on Belle, the horse that my foot got in the way of and it was bareback with a halter on and a lead rope as reins...all I can say is that cantering is a blast! I just dug my hands into her mane and flew with her. Is it easier to canter bareback than with a saddle? I have never cantered with a saddle and bridle, so please help me. Thank you! :)

[Moonlightrider]

Personally, I do think it's easier to canter bareback... the saddle can be slippery and you can't wrap your legs around to hold on - the saddle's in the way and you'll lose your stirrups - not fun. There's something about your balance that changes, too, although I don't know what. Another thing about riding in a halter - you can use your hands for balance. All I can recomend is don't canter in a halter on a horse that doesn't like slowing down... I've fallen off a few to many times because of that!:D

[Palomino13]

Okay, thanks! Yeah, Belle is one of those horses that doesn't like to slow down until she's back in her stall. But, she cares about who's riding her and makes sure they're holding on tight before she goes screaming into the barn. Being an ex-racer, she still feels a little frisky at times, and she shows it by bucking and kicking out her back legs in the paddock. I am very glad for my helmet, though, as Belle still isn't able to determine how tall her rider is as she canters under a few low hanging branches. :p I'm not sure if anyone knew, I think I typed it in my last post that Belle also was the one who accidentally stepped on me and finally, after being away from Belle and my school mount, Tiffany, I am finally able to get back in the saddle! Thanks again for your help!:D
I was just wondering if cantering was a bad idea with another equine, in this case, a pony, in the same field. Thanks!

[Palomino13]

Yesterday, I went riding and I have only had 4 lessons so far. since it was so hot, we went trail riding through the woods and some fields. I have never cantered before fully tacked up, but I did yesterday! We ( my instructor and her daughter) went through some fields and my instructor had her horse at a fast trot and her daughter's pony at a canter. So, since I was last, I decided to move into a trot, and then I became brave and tried a canter......and it worked! So, I was happily cantering along when my instructor turned around and was like..Did you just canter back there? I was too happy to respond! Well, instead of hopping around, I'll relive my lesson for you.....

[Palomino13]

Ok...my ride!:

Well, i caught Tiffany and put her halter on and rode her bareback up the field and we trotted up to the barn. Then, I gave Tiff a well-deserved grooming and tacked up all by myself! lol, "mommy, wow! I'm a big kid, now!" lol Then, I mounted and rode out through the gate to the trail. Then, my instructor and her daughter came and we started down the trail. We went through water, tall grasses, trees, ditches, rocks, etc. and we passed geese and deer, too!We only had about an hour to ride before a big storm came, so we trotted along. Then, we came across a ditch filled with water and the pony in front of us jumped it, so Tiff did too. And I stayed on!! :D That was the first time I ever jumped anything that big....well, anything at all! It was fun, too! Stevie...you can tell me all about it, now.lol So, we cut through the woods and came up into a field and I cantered........with a saddle and bridle! As I already said, cantering is the best! So, we were trotting along the road when it started to thunder and rain. We had to trot quickly home and then we dismounted and untacked the horses in their stalls cause it was pouring down rain! I had so much fun and Tiff taught me a lot! I can't wait to go again and jump and canter some more! I'll keep ya posted! Please reply!

[skewbald]

i've never cantered bareback but with saddle etc its great its the best pace i find it so relaxing!!!!!

[horsemad]

Well I have to say that cantering bareback sounds a bit scary to me - you must be much braver than me Palomino13!! I have mixed feelings about cantering - I used to panic every time it came to cantering, but I think that was because my first experiences of canter were not pleasant. The first time I cantered, the pony I was on took off at a fast pace and I fell off going round the corner! Then a couple of weeks later, I fell off 3 times :eek: in one lesson because my pony kept kept racing off and I just didn't have a good enough seat to stay on! So I got it into my head that canter = falling off.

Luckily, my riding must have improved since then because I no longer fall off every time I canter :) But cantering bareback? Er, think I'll pass on that one.......I'll leave that to the fearless ones like Palomino.....

[Palomino13]

Thanks for the comliment, horsemad! i find it easier to canter bareback,but i guess it's different for everyone. Thanks for replying! Anyone got any tips for a beginner learning to jump a creek on the trail?

Thanks again!

[Moonlightrider]

The first time I cantered bareback I was scared to death. I let my horse race my friend's (they're friends and have never kicked each other, so it was easier that way) at a trot until they both broke into a canter. Since I was perched up holding on to the mane for dear life, it didn't feel like much. But after that, they got it into their heads that being together=racing, and I had to learn to keep contact and stuff even at a walk bareback when we rode together. I got run away with a few too many times. And now I can canter double on a really bumpy horse! After you get the hang of it, it's easy, since you don't have to keep a good position. You can just wrap your legs around the horse~

[Palomino13]

That sounds scary, Moonlightrider! Racing sounds like a lot of fun...but bareback? No, not even I am ready for that, lol! My first canter scared me so I let out a small scream and Belle slowed to a trot for me, but I regained confidence and decided that cantering is great fun, and just feel the horse and go with her...so I did and it was amazing! Riding double? Is that hard? Also, can anyone help with my jumping question?! lol...thanks, guys!

[DizzyBlonde2007]

I find it a lot easier to canter bareback than with a saddle but when you are coming back to trot it is more comforting to have a saddle!

Dizzy x :)

[horse__obsessed]

saddles are slippery???...

horse hair is more slippery :D:D:D

I dont canter bareback much but thats cause I hate coming back to trot :o