Do You Ride Horses? V.4

[klahoma]

so im not really active here buttttt,,,
I ride at college and were assigned horses each semester, well I got a more jumper type (im used to hunter and eq horses) and he knocked a lot of my confidence out the window... im taking dressage lessons over the summer right now to try to build some confidence back up is that a good idea? I wanna continue jumping (and maybe even event now that im not a junior) but I felt like I needed a break from jumping as well... idk

i think the dressage lessons are a great idea! whenever you lose confidence in riding for whatever reason, it is imperative that you go back to the basics or at least back to what you know how to do well. this sport can be really tough on our psyches, so never feel bad about stepping down a level or trying something new! once you build up some confidence, start jumping again! remember to take your time and always do what you’re comfortable with. good luck to you! c:

[arcadia bay.]

so im not really active here buttttt,,,
I ride at college and were assigned horses each semester, well I got a more jumper type (im used to hunter and eq horses) and he knocked a lot of my confidence out the window... im taking dressage lessons over the summer right now to try to build some confidence back up is that a good idea? I wanna continue jumping (and maybe even event now that im not a junior) but I felt like I needed a break from jumping as well... idk

i think the dressage lessons are a great idea! whenever you lose confidence in riding for whatever reason, it is imperative that you go back to the basics or at least back to what you know how to do well. this sport can be really tough on our psyches, so never feel bad about stepping down a level or trying something new! once you build up some confidence, start jumping again! remember to take your time and always do what you’re comfortable with. good luck to you! c:

yeah, luckily its my childhood barn too so I know everyone, and its less stress, but idk I just dont really wanna like stop loving jumping

[Verdana]

You won't stop loving jumping! Or you certainly don't have to. I think dressage (especially bend, and being able to collect/extend) is a tool that makes jumping even better. Right now, you've lost your nerve a bit, and this is like when you knock or refuse, and your instructor puts the jump down a bit to help you both regain your confidence. And there's no reason you can't go ahead doing both!

[arcadia bay.]

You won't stop loving jumping! Or you certainly don't have to. I think dressage (especially bend, and being able to collect/extend) is a tool that makes jumping even better. Right now, you've lost your nerve a bit, and this is like when you knock or refuse, and your instructor puts the jump down a bit to help you both regain your confidence. And there's no reason you can't go ahead doing both!

thank you!

[RealCipher]

I went to horse back riding camp this summer twice! I absolutely adored it. There were other animals too we learned about as well.

Horse back riding is definitely a skill to add to my list. ^^

[MoonLesbian]

So I've been leasing a horse and managed to fall off of him twice the other day <3 He's 18.1 hands and it's a long way to the ground so needless to say both falls were pretty bad. Nothing broken but I sprained an ankle and a wrist and messed up my head and neck pretty bad plus lots of general soreness and bruising...probably not going to be riding again this week. But I've never had this much trouble before--I actually just kind of had a breakthrough with cantering and was feeling confident going into the lesson so I'm not really sure what happened that made me lose my balance so badly. The only thing I can think is I just got a new saddle per my lease agreement and it was my first time riding in it. My trainer told me higher stirrups will help me keep my heels down but is it possible they were too high? I'm not very good at judging when things feel different to my body so I probably wouldn't have noticed if the stirrup length was affecting me. I'm not afraid of getting back on once I've healed, I just would rather prevent this from happening again if I can so if it could be something as simple as dropping my stirrups I want to know xD

[Emerald Isle]

So I've been leasing a horse and managed to fall off of him twice the other day <3 He's 18.1 hands and it's a long way to the ground so needless to say both falls were pretty bad. Nothing broken but I sprained an ankle and a wrist and messed up my head and neck pretty bad plus lots of general soreness and bruising...probably not going to be riding again this week. But I've never had this much trouble before--I actually just kind of had a breakthrough with cantering and was feeling confident going into the lesson so I'm not really sure what happened that made me lose my balance so badly. The only thing I can think is I just got a new saddle per my lease agreement and it was my first time riding in it. My trainer told me higher stirrups will help me keep my heels down but is it possible they were too high? I'm not very good at judging when things feel different to my body so I probably wouldn't have noticed if the stirrup length was affecting me. I'm not afraid of getting back on once I've healed, I just would rather prevent this from happening again if I can so if it could be something as simple as dropping my stirrups I want to know xD

If the stirrup length is making you uncomfortable, you should definitely look at adjusting them.

But, ultimately, just stay calm and focus on your core. I find that big horses, while mostly gentle giants, are a knock to anyone's confidence--especially when adding new things to the equation. When I first started riding taller horses (my horse is around the 17hh range and the other horse I ride is a "small" Belgian), I know my balance took a hit first.

Practice stretching your heels down at home, work on sucking in your gut at random intervals and learning to just pull it in. That will help train your abdominal muscles. Maybe even try dropping your stirrups and riding without them at a walk/trot. Two-point with no-stirrups is also a good way to build muscle.

As someone who has been there (and falling off big horses HURTS) I promise you it will get better; having two falls will be painful (take some painkiller like Advil and make sure you rest appropriately), but it's not necessarily a reflection on the progress you've made. Sometimes you fall just because it's an inevitable part of doing more than what you're used to. But just remain confident and keep working on your balance.

And maybe have someone take a picture of you in the saddle and look at it for yourself. Do you notice anything about how it sets your posture? One of my saddles is like a couch; I have to work extra hard to keep my legs underneath me, even when they feel like they are just because of how it makes me sit. And look at the stirrup leathers, too. Do they look too long to you relative to how you feel?

Either way, good luck! And here's to hoping the horse stays between you and the ground these next few rides. And, if not, that you get up, dust off, and keep going xx

[MoonLesbian]

If the stirrup length is making you uncomfortable, you should definitely look at adjusting them.

But, ultimately, just stay calm and focus on your core. I find that big horses, while mostly gentle giants, are a knock to anyone's confidence--especially when adding new things to the equation. When I first started riding taller horses (my horse is around the 17hh range and the other horse I ride is a "small" Belgian), I know my balance took a hit first.

Practice stretching your heels down at home, work on sucking in your gut at random intervals and learning to just pull it in. That will help train your abdominal muscles. Maybe even try dropping your stirrups and riding without them at a walk/trot. Two-point with no-stirrups is also a good way to build muscle.

As someone who has been there (and falling off big horses HURTS) I promise you it will get better; having two falls will be painful (take some painkiller like Advil and make sure you rest appropriately), but it's not necessarily a reflection on the progress you've made. Sometimes you fall just because it's an inevitable part of doing more than what you're used to. But just remain confident and keep working on your balance.

And maybe have someone take a picture of you in the saddle and look at it for yourself. Do you notice anything about how it sets your posture? One of my saddles is like a couch; I have to work extra hard to keep my legs underneath me, even when they feel like they are just because of how it makes me sit. And look at the stirrup leathers, too. Do they look too long to you relative to how you feel?

Either way, good luck! And here's to hoping the horse stays between you and the ground these next few rides. And, if not, that you get up, dust off, and keep going xx

Thanks for the advice! He certainly is a gentle giant, just much more intimidating than the pony I was riding before lol! Kept booping me with his nose while I was hosing him off because I was crying from the pain (very unusual for me, I have a high pain tolerance), he's such a sweetie. I'll definitely pay more attention to how my body sits next time I ride in this saddle and hopefully that'll be sometime this week just to walk around so it's not so long before I get back on, just gotta be careful with my ankle. I work at a barn too so I couldn't work today either

[alfiq]

^ i'd also rec getting someone to take a picture of you in the saddle! some saddles can put you in a bad position where you really have to work to sit correctly if the saddle just doesnt fit the rider.

still workin' on her football skills
yea shes pretty fat and is in the process of slimming down, had too much pasture time this year yowch

[minimire]

hey everyone! what are some of your thoughts on the recent modern pentathlon?