Good morning all,
My balance in the saddle is definitely improving, and I now only rarely lose a stirrup, but I am struggling more with trot to canter transitions.
It is partly due to the fact that I am now riding a different horse and had only cantered two of the ones I used to ride a lot in lessons before now. I know that riding different horses will make me a better rider in the long run and that I need to keep learning to use my legs effectively, so I am fine with riding a different horse. However, not having had the time to bond with this one does make me more nervous.
It is probably also due to inconsistent contact through the reins, as I am always worried about potentially hurting the horse’s mouth to such an extent that my hands, rather than being “light”, could probably be made to drop completely by a passing gnat.
Any tips? The more apprehensive I get about the trot to canter transition, the less it actually happens. I’m fine out on hacks where the horse generally wants to join the others anyway, but am struggling on my current mount for my private lessons.
Thanks very much in advance!
My balance in the saddle is definitely improving, and I now only rarely lose a stirrup, but I am struggling more with trot to canter transitions.
It is partly due to the fact that I am now riding a different horse and had only cantered two of the ones I used to ride a lot in lessons before now. I know that riding different horses will make me a better rider in the long run and that I need to keep learning to use my legs effectively, so I am fine with riding a different horse. However, not having had the time to bond with this one does make me more nervous.
It is probably also due to inconsistent contact through the reins, as I am always worried about potentially hurting the horse’s mouth to such an extent that my hands, rather than being “light”, could probably be made to drop completely by a passing gnat.
Any tips? The more apprehensive I get about the trot to canter transition, the less it actually happens. I’m fine out on hacks where the horse generally wants to join the others anyway, but am struggling on my current mount for my private lessons.
Thanks very much in advance!