First lesson this afternoon - Page 2

GeorgeyPudding · #21 5th Jul 2012, 05:07 PM

hi all!

had my second lesson today, well sort of!

My friend got stuck in traffic and arrived 5 mins after the lesson was supposed to start (and we're supposed to arrive 10mins early!) so we just did a little hack type thing.

I rode a different horse today, not as keen on him as I am on Bob. His name is Bubbles, hes a 13.2hh 7year old. Liked his height better but didnt feel as comfy on him. He kept tossing his head aswell (is there a technical term for this?) which unnerved me a bit, and I was slightly concerened he might do a dog shake and wobble me off

his trot isnt as comfy as Bob's either, I guess because he is smaller?

We did a short walk, then trotted up and down a bridle path past some sheeps and then walked home again. I wasnt being led either which was a bit worrying (as I didnt know the horse) but awesome at the same time

Back again on the 19th

Wiz201 · #22 5th Jul 2012, 06:53 PM

Tossing head isn't a problem, but the fact that you didn't have anyone walking with you is worrying. Pony's trot is always going to feel bouncier than a bigger horse's trot.

GeorgeyPudding · #23 5th Jul 2012, 07:20 PM

ah thats alright then. I've never been led on a hack before as such, but last time she was directly next to me. Doesnt bother me really

just because I didnt know the horse, this time she was slightly ahead of me with the other rider who has never ridden before

mistymoon · #24 10th Jul 2012, 11:02 AM

Hi there!

It looks like we go to the same riding school! Lovely pictures!

Glad you are enjoying it. I moved to this school and find it much more accommodating to my needs as a beginner. Bob is gorgeous, i agree.

i haven't ridden any other horses yet.

Maybe see you at the summer show!

MM xx

GeorgeyPudding · #25 10th Jul 2012, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mistymoon

Hi there!

It looks like we go to the same riding school! Lovely pictures!

Glad you are enjoying it. I moved to this school and find it much more accommodating to my needs as a beginner. Bob is gorgeous, i agree.

i haven't ridden any other horses yet.

Maybe see you at the summer show!

MM xx

Hi MM,

Nice to meet a fellow rider

Its very nice isnt it? I quite enjoy the wee hack out to the school each time

I havent heard anything about the summer show and cant see on the website, when and where is it?

Georgey x

mistymoon · #26 11th Jul 2012, 07:37 AM

Hi Georgey

Summer show is due on Mon 30th July (weather permitting!).

If you check out the home page on the website, the details are on there.

Yes, its good to have a little walk before a lesson to 'warm up' both horse and rider I think. It is a lovely village and stables

MMxx

GeorgeyPudding · #27 11th Jul 2012, 08:31 AM

Doh, Im busy then! Would have been nice to meet you, prehaps another time

It really is a lovely village

wish I could live there, and the dog at the stables is wonderful isnt he! So well behaved

mistymoon · #28 14th Jul 2012, 09:58 AM

Hi Georgey

Never mind. Maybe see you another time

And yes, the little dog is so sweet and love it when he comes to greet me before my ride!

Enjoy your riding!

MMxx

GeorgeyPudding · #29 21st Jul 2012, 09:21 AM

I discovered the doggy is called Freddie

Had another lesson yesterday, this one didnt go so well

Bob had the wind up his tail and wanted to GO GO GO!

We did lots of trotting yesterday, which I think if my stirrups hadn't been too long to start with would have gone really well, but I kept loosing my stirrup and having a wobble, and then confusing Bob/not being forceful enough so he wouldnt stop!
So we came into the middle, shortened my stirrups and went off again, but by now I'd lost a little confidence and Bob knew this so was thinking "Well, I can just keep going and play up a little"

This week I learnt that,
I need to be forceful it wont hurt the horsey
Use my legs carefully, if I can just squeeze him/use my voice then do it!
Make sure that your stirrups are just right, if it feels wrong it probably is!
Be confident! They pick up on nerves and sometimes use them against you

Im going to fall off at some point, it happens to everyone

If hes going to fast, dont get scared. Sit tight and get the horse to do what YOU want.

I've now not got a lesson until the 9th. I'd like to get on sooner than that if possible so I'll have to go without my friend (shes away for 2 weeks hence the long break) maybe just a hack rather than a lesson

mistymoon · #30 25th Jul 2012, 12:13 PM

Aw, sorry to hear your lesson didn't go so well.

I am trying to get the steering right at the moment! Bob is certainly responsive but that is a good thing in my opinion. I have learned on not so willing school horses which you have had to squeeze on quite a lot for them to trot and it does get frustrating at times.

Please don't be disheartened. It sounds as though your balance wasn't quite right which made him go quicker or panic a little when you wobbled. Maybe they can sort a lunge lesson for you for your balance? I found lunge lessons to be very useful in my first few lessons and I didn't have to think about the horse, just my position and balance (although I am still working on it!).

MM xx

mistymoon · #31 25th Jul 2012, 12:18 PM

I also found that having someone with me wasn't actually a good idea in the end. I concentrated much better when someone wasn't watching me but that's just from my point of view!

Maybe do a walk/trot hack on your own with the instructor and when your confidence improves, do a lesson?

MMxx

GeorgeyPudding · #32 26th Jul 2012, 09:49 PM

cant afford to do single lessons too often which is really annoying! I'd love to have an hour lesson by myself but Im not sure I'd be able to drive home afterwards

I think a lunge lesson will definatly be helpful, I know my balance is off (hypermobile hips, curved spine and the general balance of a pigeon on a pogo stick!) so Im not surprised really

Will have to see if I have any spare cash for a lesson next week

mistymoon · #33 28th Jul 2012, 04:15 PM

Hi Georgey

Yep agreed. I would like more lessons too, although an hour lesson seems a lot longer I do tend to want to do more these days and the half an hour is going very quickly when I have a lesson, so maybe one day soon.

Hope you are able to book another one soon.

Have fun

MMxx