Riding

[XxTraceyxX]

Hey Guys! :)
I'm just wondering over the summer i haven't done much riding due to not being able to pay for lessons :( I am re-taking my BHS Stage 1 in October/November time at college, and im not that confident riding and i don't know whats stopping me from dfoing the things i love!

Can anyone give me any idea's what i could do to make me more confident or about riding? I will be riding again at college in September but i don't want to go back feeling a nervous wreck!!

XxTJxX

[Sparklie]

do you have any friends with horses who will let you have a few rides? Or check out the local papers (adtrader etc.) sometimes people advertise looking for people to exercise their horses for them

Is there no way that you can afford a couple of lessons? Just to give you a bit of a headstart

[XxTraceyxX]

Hey Sparklie
Yeah im gonna try and get a few lessons paid for in the next few weeks :) Non of my mates are really horsey only a few own horses :o. One girl who i know won't let me ride her horse coz she doesnt think im "experienced" enough. but im gonna ask around and see if anyone has any horses that need riding!

XxTJxX

[Sparklie]

I'd offer Twig's services but he's not always the best at giving confidence...he has quite a few moments when he acts like a prat and forgets what brakes are :rolleyes:

There are bound to be people looking for someone to exercise their horses. Quite a few people on my yard ask other liveries to ride for them, most yards are like that. You could put some adverts out and see how it goes.

ETA: I did my stage one a few years ago. I was advised to ride as many different horses as I could before hand to get ready for it as you never know what you'll get on the day. Good luck with it :D

[Est]

Tracey I'm in the same situation at the moment! Taking Stage 1 for the first time on 6th October but haven't had a regular lesson for ages.
One of my horses has out of work since 2004, my other one is out on loan and money is really tight.
I cadge an occasional ride at my livery yard but mostly they have competition horses that I'd probably ruin :o or retired horses, which doesn't leave much inbetween :p
I know it's not the same as riding, but I've bought a yoga ball (£2 from a car boot) and have been using it to do exercises to help my balance. Also found a pilates website here (http://www.horsemagazine.com/CLINIC/Fitness/fitnessindex.html) which is fantastic and the exercises have really improved my balance/stability.
Once you get back to college you'll soon get back into the riding - keep yourself supple and fit in the meantime. Perhaps try a Bach Flower Remedy to assist with the confidence and self belief - there's a list here (http://www.bachcentre.com/centre/remedies.htm) - I use several of the remedies and they really do make a difference to how you feel.
And remember - all the other students will have been eating chips and drinking too much all through the summer holidays! They'll be unfit and aching when they go back. If you keep in shape through the summer your riding will look great compared ;) :D

[XxTraceyxX]

Thanks for the tips Est! I will look into them! :) :D
I dunno what i get so nervous for despite the fact i know what im doing!
XxTJxX

[XxTraceyxX]

The pilates website looks really good! Only one snag though, i've got scliosis )Curveture of the spine) Which has made my body uneven, the left handside of my body is more in perpotion than my right :o. also my shoulders are slightly uneven so if someone were to look at me sat on a horse from the back it would look as if my right shoulder is dropping! but the doctors said if i have an operation on my spine to straighten it, i wouldn't be able to ride for Two years! :(:( or i could even Die! :(

XxTJxX

[booboo]

:eek: sorry to hear about your illness dont like saying it like that!!!:eek:
erm id say the bets option was to get some lessons at a good riding school where your confidence can come back.did you loose your confidence at college?

[XxTraceyxX]

Hey BooBoo yeah i has a really bad fall at college last year and it really shook me up really bad :o. I want to get my confidence back and im gonna try, im gonna talk to my dad today and ask about having a few lessons in the next few weeks :).

XxTJxX

[kirstie]

Well you know you can always ride amba again! She went ok for you last time. She'll be lazy or forward going for you she doesn't mind, she will get some of your confidence up! :D

[BeachRiding]

I would see if you could help out with people's horses on the ground to gain confidence, or ride amba!