Since May I have been between horses so whilst I am looking I having one lesson a week and riding a friends' cob once or twice a week (though due to saddle issues only in walk and trot)
My riding feels like it is drastically going downhill and I am especially concerned about jumping as I dont have the opportunity to do so in my group lesson or on friends cob, so the only time I jump is when I am trying out horses. How long does it take if you dont practice for riding to go downhill?
I tried out a pony at the weekend and I could not get it to canter, it was very depressing as the owner had no problem. This has happened with two of the six ponies I have viewed to date. I was thinking part of the problem might be as I am used to riding forward going horses where you just sit and give them a nudge and they are off in canter or it could be because I am loosing my riding ability through lack of practice. With the non cantering ponies I felt my legs and arms were all over the place when I was trying to get them going when they did not go forward from my original ask. It was very hard to try and maintain a good position and ask them to go forward as well.
It is making me feel like a beginner all over again and like a fake as I tell people when I come and see the ponies that I am not a novice but feel like I am riding like one.
Having ridden the same horse for three and half years and not having any problems I am wondering if I am the sort of person that needs to have a bond with the horse to be able to ride well.
I realise now it is going to take a long time to find a pony I like and I am now a bit worried that when I do the owner will think I am not a good enough rider to have it.
My riding feels like it is drastically going downhill and I am especially concerned about jumping as I dont have the opportunity to do so in my group lesson or on friends cob, so the only time I jump is when I am trying out horses. How long does it take if you dont practice for riding to go downhill?
I tried out a pony at the weekend and I could not get it to canter, it was very depressing as the owner had no problem. This has happened with two of the six ponies I have viewed to date. I was thinking part of the problem might be as I am used to riding forward going horses where you just sit and give them a nudge and they are off in canter or it could be because I am loosing my riding ability through lack of practice. With the non cantering ponies I felt my legs and arms were all over the place when I was trying to get them going when they did not go forward from my original ask. It was very hard to try and maintain a good position and ask them to go forward as well.
It is making me feel like a beginner all over again and like a fake as I tell people when I come and see the ponies that I am not a novice but feel like I am riding like one.
Having ridden the same horse for three and half years and not having any problems I am wondering if I am the sort of person that needs to have a bond with the horse to be able to ride well.
I realise now it is going to take a long time to find a pony I like and I am now a bit worried that when I do the owner will think I am not a good enough rider to have it.