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The tack room

Discuss horse riding and ownership on our Horse forum.

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Original poster

My PFB has fallen twice this week....

14 replies

Poledra · 31/08/2011 14:56

...and she's only been riding for a couple of months! Poor DD1 - she started with walk-outs for a a few weeks, then has been having private lessons during the holidays to bring her up to a standard where she can join a class. In her last two lessons, she's fallen off both times. The first time was with a pony who just got bored, spooked and dumped her. She was OK, got straight back on (she was on a lunge rein) then 10 minutes later he did it again! Fortunately, DD managed to stay on this time, and her instructor was lavish in his praise for her. Next time (this Tuesday), she was again on a lunge rein, someone was bringing in 2 horses from the field, one got loose and came charging down into the yard, spooking DD's pony (different pony from before) who again dumped her, this time more dramatically (mouthful of sand, anyone?). Her instructor then took her for a short walk rather than trying any more work in the menage.

I do have a question (bear with me!) - her instructor has said he will lead her on her next lesson, as he really does not want her confidence to be dented so early on. He says she's done nothing wrong, and it's just been bad luck. I do trust him (I ride there too) but is there anything else h should be doing with her? I only started to ride as an adult, so didn't go through leading/lunging or anything like that, so am not sure what stages she should be going through. I'd like her to get into a lesson as I think she'll find it more fun with other children, but want to make sure we're doing it 'right'.

Thanks

OP posts:

Butkin · 31/08/2011 16:26

How old is your DD and what size ponies are they putting her on?

Saggyoldclothcatpuss · 31/08/2011 16:34

What Butkin said!
FWIW, Ive fallen off in every way possible! I think its pretty par for the course!

Saggyoldclothcatpuss · 31/08/2011 16:36

also, why does she not have group lessons? They usually start from complete beginner upwards.

Original poster

Poledra · 31/08/2011 16:46

She's 7, and they're putting her on fairly small ponies, so not too far to fall! I don't know their height in hands, but their saddle is at about hip height to me and I'm 5'10''.

Saggy, the problem is there aren't any other complete beginners ATM, and the instructor doesn't want to put her into a class which is too advanced (I think the least experienced class have all been riding for >6 months).

OP posts:

Mirage · 31/08/2011 21:33

My dds regard dramatic falls as badges of honour-dd2 showed the grazes on her chin from being thrown to everyone she could.I just tell them that when I was little,I was told that it took 7 falls to make a rider and it is bound to happen.

Mine never went on lead reins at all during beginners lessons,and never on a lunge rein until last week at home,so can't advise on that I'm afraid.If you can find a beginner's class somewhere,or even another child to share a lesson,it is more fun and they are keener to try things if they see another child doing it too.

She sounds a brave little girl.

kayb123 · 01/09/2011 09:57

i think your instructor sounds great, doing everything at your daughter level and not forcing her to join a advance groups which again could have an imput on her confidence (i.e. not being able to ride like the others etc..) and helping her to keep her confidence after all those falls with a break from the school area with walks.

I think the lunge works is about helping your daughter balance and seat when i learnt to ride (many years ago) as a child i also had upteen lesson on lunge and many without sturrips for this reason, as a child we dont have that slightly better seat/balance as adults, you will see many children riding to one side but they feel there are in the centre and balanced (ish).

Original poster

Poledra · 05/09/2011 10:31

Thanks, everyone, for your replies. We went riding on Sunday, and there are two new children just starting at the yard, so she's been put into a 30 min lesson with them starting next week. And she also went out on one of the ponies she'd fallen off from and had a great time, so that's really helped her confidence.

Mirage. I told her the '7 falls to make a rider thing', and the badge of honour bit too - in the end, she was dying to get to the yard yesterday so she could tell the othe girls who ride before her all about it!

kayb I see what you're saying about the balance thing - she does have a tendency to sit to the right but thinks she's centred. The instructor has been working on that with her.

And, just by the way, I had a fabulous lesson yesterday when everything went to plan One of those days when you really know why you ride!

OP posts:

Booboostoo · 05/09/2011 16:25

Unfortunately falling is part of riding, and especially the second fall sounds like the result of an event that would have upset most horses. Take it easy next time and maybe take a step back until your DD regains her confidence.

As for lunge lessons they are one of the best ways to develop an independent seat. Work without reins/stirrups will teach her balance and make it easier for her to sit to spooks. German pupils (who are very serious about their riding) spend two years on the lunge gaining an independent seat. Any rider who wishes to become more secure should spend time on the lunge.

Original poster

Poledra · 22/02/2012 11:12

OK, I know I'm bumping an old thread (of my own as well - how arrogant of me to think anyone's interested!) but I am feeling very proud of DD this week. At her lesson on the weekend, she was trotting without someone leading/lunging her and looking very good [proud boastful mother emoticon] After some months of her looking very serious when she rides (though she said it was because there's so much to concentrate on) she now smiles and giggles during her lessons, doesn't get fearful of a fidgety pony and genuinely seems to enjoy her riding!
Thank god for that, I was wondering if I was making her ride only because I wanted het to, rather than her wanting to. And she hasn't fallen off at all since the two incidents in August/September

OP posts:

Butkin · 22/02/2012 11:22

We are interested Poledra and that is really good news - well done DD !!

CMOTDibbler · 22/02/2012 11:24

Thats lovely to hear Poledra. A big well done to your DD

frostyfingers · 22/02/2012 14:47

Great - well done her. Falling off is all part of learning (says she recovering from concussion, whiplash and compressed discs in my back!), and at her age/experience level is par for the course. It's only when you get old and less bouncy it begins to take a toll. We always used to get given sweeties when we fell off!

Mirage · 22/02/2012 19:59

Great to hear an update.DD2 fell off at the weekend and it reminded me of your DD. It is lovely to watch them come on in ability,isn't it?

Booboostoo · 23/02/2012 21:17

Brilliant news, well done DD!

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