Canter...

[Goldie'sGirl]

Hi
I'm having a few problems with canter. The time before last that I cantered was like 6 months ago, and I fell off and broke my arm and dislocated my shoulder. :(
Then, in my lesson yesterday, I was asked if I would like to try canter, if they put on a neeck strap, and my RI ran with me. I said yes because even though I was scared, I was determined to canter again, and if I did I would be able to pass my progressive riding test. So, we got to the corner and my RI asked the horse to canter, and..he bucked and bucked and bucked. She said he wasn't being naughty, he was just excited as he hadn't cantered for ages. So we got to the next corner and asked for canter and he just carried on repeatedly bucking. We tried it about 4 or 5 times but he just kept bucking. My RI asked if I wanted to carry on and even though I was scared, I sadi yes, because I was determined. Then I started crying and my RI said she wasn't going to cary on because I was too nervous. In the few strides that he did canter (like 10), I knew I wasn't sitting to it right, but I just couldn't. But I want to canter again?!:eek: Even though I'm so scared.
I don't even know why I'm writing this, I just kept thinking that I'll have to tell all you guys on NR and see what you say.
Sorry it's so long
~GG~

[stormchaser]

Goldie... first of all, you were really brave to be so determined to try cantering again after a fall, and after having to sit through a few bucks!

Hope your RI can arrange to get a calmer horse with an uphill, 'rocking horse' canter for your to gain confidence back. Or perhaps she can lunge or ride the horse (not with you on it) before putting you on it to get those bucks out (of course if he had back pain or something then it's another matter altogether)?

Keep trying, and wear a body protector! I would if I was going to be that nervous. Horses can sense nerves too well.

All the best.

[joe21]

Goldie,

I commend you for your bravery, but there is no way your RI should have let you ride in those circumstances.

You are coming off an injury and need to build your confidence and comfort level before attempting to ride a bucking horse. The RI should have rode him until he "got it out of his system," put you on another horse or simply postponed the canter until another lesson.

The instructor should have known better. You should just be dealing with a canter now. Once you have that "down" then you can work on cantering a bucking horse.

[holiday]

Il agree whole heartedly with the above comments, thats terrible if your RI knew you were nervous that could have put you off for ever....
Same as above you need a dead quiet horse that knows the job inside out so you just have to get your confidence and not worry about anything else. Well done for continuing that was really brave.
Good luck for next time.

[Rips]

Your RI should not have you on a horse that bucks! I remember being in tears learning to canter ( I was 7/8 :o) and the pony I rode was a sweetheart. Thats very bad form of your RI and you were very brave to persevere like you did. Don't worry once you get the hang of it, canter will be your favourite :)

Was it at this same RS you fell? I don't know the story but if it was under similar circumstances I'd move! :mad:

[Laurence E. B-B]

I find it appalling that your RI allowed the lesson to continue with the horse behaving in that manner.
Previous posters have said it all.

BUT!!! I wholeheartedly commend your spirit.
The canter ridden correctly is the "waltz" of paces.
I know that you will keep going, and persever with you lessons, as there will come a time when you know that all those hours of most often-times, very hard slog, have made it all worth-while.

And I say again; Well done!