Yippee! I cantered...........

LyndaB

LyndaB

Member
Jul 1, 2017
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South Australia
Well after 12 lessons, learning to ride on both Buddy and Fanta. Today I was on Buddy, had asks to change back as didn't feel as settled and safe on Fanta - nice horse, but I just couldn't get the trot on her. Maybe one day I will. I felt pleased to be back with Buddy.
But todays lesson was great, Rebecca (RI) was awesome and so encouraging. First day back on Buddy, trotting and then eventually cantered. (maybe not the greatest form but.....) Awesome feeling being able to achieve this. Have another lesson on Buddy next week with Rebecca, no doubt we will be working on this again.
We also worked on trotting around arena, and doing "serpentine" across the arena. I wasn't very good at that,
Buddy kept going where he wanted, think he took advantage of me today. :)
Rebecca said I did very well, was so encouraging. I have a few photos, and Rebecca video'd this, will try to share same. My facebook page has the video, here is the link if it will work: https://www.facebook.com/lynda.barn...15089767435/10213115085327324/?type=3&theater
Tried to add some photos but it wont let me. Sorry. There is a cute photo with Buddy and myself, such a character with his tongue poking out.

One very happy camper tonight, that's for sure.
 
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Hello, thank you all. Yes I had a smile all day, it was amazing.
The video on my status is set to public, was hoping that you would be able to see it. Will have to find out how to link video here, site wouldn't let me put up pictures in media either - will try again today. (might have been internet connection here)
Now I have been able to achieve this on Buddy, why cant I do this on Fanta? She is smaller and quicker, any ideas how I can eventually accomplish this on her? Want to feel comfortable on both of them, but have to admit I feel more comfortable and safer on Buddy.

Actually RI that I had on Saturday did say that Fantas canter, let alone her trot is faster and wasn't sure if I would be able to canter on her just yet. (she wasn't discouraging), but this made me think back to the first lesson on her with different instructor who expected me to trot, canter and jump on Fanta! What was she thinking? Just cos the other two youngsters in class could do it, I should too?

Think I will stick with Buddy for few weeks then give Fanta another try.
Any suggestions? Cheers.
 
Well done :D I think the littler horses can feel so whizzy it can make you feel rushed to do every thing too fast, you'll probably find as your muscle memory builds and things become more second nature (in that you're not trying to think about everything at once) that a whizzy horse will be much easier to get on with :)
 
Thanks @ Jessey yes Fanta does feel whizzy, but will get there one day. Love riding Buddy and it felt great to be able to achieve this. Someone suggested I sing to him when trying to canter to get the rhythm (not sure he will like my singing), so will have to think of a song, rhyme or something. Am looking forward to next sundays lesson, more trotting and cantering, need to work on keeping my seat. :)
 
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Lynda - You mention the two RIs having different ideas of what was right for you. I guess it can be hard for RIs to assess how much experience an older rider actually had as a child.

I started aged 62 so much like you and I had the same problem. I was handed to an excellent advanced student for a lesson during which the pony pulled away from her lunge line to have a go at or race another horse circling in the school in the other simultaneous lessons.
I had no idea how to steer or stop a horse. They said they had imagined I knew more. I was taken away from the student and taught by their embittered professional who believed it was unrealistic to expect to be able to learn to ride at my age.

The point is that new older students are rarely asked what exactly they did as children, and, even if we remember, we may not be able to explain in adult equestrian language.
So the teacher who asked too much of you may not have been a bad teacher - just assessed you wrongly.

Even after years of riding, I still have to say if I do or dont want to do something. If one is scared to do something, the instinct is usually right - it is too risky.
 
Thanks @Skib. That sounds like a terrible start for learning. Yes the other RI is younger, not bad one, I didnt mean that. When I had her for private lesson was ok. It was group with younger more experienced riders. I have learnt to say no or not yet. That's why i have gone back to Buddy. Will try Fanta later, she is quicker and will take me some time to grasp her trot. Canter can come later.
Learning to ride at 61 is a challenge and loving it. Wish I could ride more than onc e a week....one day. I certainly could feel muscles used after that lesson, in a good way.
 
My OH who started aged 67 only rode one hour a week. His original aim was to be able to sit a horse to trail ride on holiday in the USA - but he ended up cantering very happilly. And then he got rising trot! After about a year he had it all sorted.
He doesnt ride any more - his very old favourite horse got too old to canter. But he did ride very contentedly for about 9 years.

You may be made to feel that 61 is too late and there isnt much time.
But you may have many years of good riding ahead of you - so can be patient. I have good health at 77 and am still riding.

The thing about riding, even just once a week, is that it seems to keep one fit and flexible and well balanced. So it is the riding itself that keeps one fit to ride.
 
Hello @Skib thats great your still riding at 77, thats my aim too, keep riding while I can.
I am currently still working full time, do gym at least four times a week, as well as 5klm fun runs/walks. You got to keep moving or you lose it so they say. I am fairly flexible too which is a help, and I have found that since riding have become more fitter - working on core strength at moment, with program doing set activities 3 times week.
Most people I know and instructors have been very encouraging, including when I have been to gymkana events with friends. In fact the last event I went to watch their was a lady who was 61 and she won her class. woo hoo, good on her.
As weather warms up here in South Australia I am going to try and get a few more trail rides in too.
Thanks for your encouragement. :)
 
Taffie said:
This ^^. Cantering is just so exhilarating :D
Click to expand...
yeah it sure is, cant wait to get better at this. Be able to canter without holding onto saddle, need to relax. You gotta laugh, the only tune that comes into my head when cantering (someone told me sing!) is "Hi Ho, Hi Ho, its of to work we go" ..... the dwarfs singing from Snow White. Yeah us aussies are weird. :)
 
LyndaB said:
yeah it sure is, cant wait to get better at this. Be able to canter without holding onto saddle, need to relax. You gotta laugh, the only tune that comes into my head when cantering (someone told me sing!) is "Hi Ho, Hi Ho, its of to work we go" ..... the dwarfs singing from Snow White. Yeah us aussies are weird. :)
Click to expand...
LyndaB I sing 'Nellie the Elephant ' !!
 
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Thanks @Taffie and @Jane&Ziggy yes Buddys expression is great, he is such a character, he may be the school horse, but I love him. He is so good to learn on, eventually will learn to ride others but one step at a time.
Hmmm Nellie the elephant, will have to look up that song - vaguely remember it.
Have a great day. :)
 
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