Not sure if I’ve posted on the right section. Hopefully sport forum is ok.
So I’m a complete beginner (horse riding). I’ve only had 3 lessons so far but I’m hoping for some tips on the things I am struggling with.
My first lesson consisted of trotting, steering, standing up etc and I had a taste of what is to come. It was great. I ached for days after though! I noticed that I struggled with steering and standing up confidently, which made trotting quite difficult. Throughout the lesson I was also clinging on to the reins and constantly adjusting the way I held them and bringing the horse to a stop as I was pulling on them.
I had a bit of a break before my second lesson with a different instructor and I told her that I wanted to take baby steps, really focus on my confidence, my balance etc. She is really patient and I’ve decided to stick with her as my instructor.
I’ve now got a couple of lessons booked in - 30 mins a week to get comfortable. Currently I feel that the horse is in control of me and I need the instructor at the side of me at all times.
My current issues are:
When I try and stand my positioning and balance isn’t great - mainly when the horse is walking. I end up standing, the stirrups end up moving forwards and I end up sitting back down on the horse. My instructor said the way I sit back down is good, I’m in control of that but standing for any period of time while the horse is walking I need to work on. She’s tried to get me to remove my hands from the saddle and place them on the horses shoulders to stop me from using my hands to sit up and clinging on to the saddle for dear life! and instead try and use my legs but it seems I’m struggling with this part. My legs are just all over in the stirrups.
I really want to crack this so I can try and work on getting to steering the horse and feeling more confident. But I just can’t seem to get my balance right. Is there any tips for me to work on next week?
We’ve talked about independent seat. This all makes sense. And I definitely feel I was sat more comfortably - less stiff and tense than last week that’s for sure.
However, by the time it came to getting off of the horse I went in to a panic as I tried to lift my right leg up and it kept locking. I genuinely thought I’d have to accept that I’d be sat on the horse forever more lol! I definitely need to work on this too so that I aren’t just sliding down hoping that my legs don’t buckle when they hit the ground!
My legs also feel trembly for about 5 mins after riding...
I feel there is definitely something I can be working on and researching in preparation for my next lesson! I’m really trying to take the pressure off of my arms and apply more in my legs and core but maybe I’ve overdone that today with the trembly legs haha!
I really am determined to continue at this. My children have been riding since they were 3 and I’d love if I could do this with them as they get older. I’ve always wanted to do this.
I definitely feel I had a better lesson this week though. Instructor thought so too. Which makes me feel positive going forward. She was getting me to ride without stirrups and also keep my hands on my legs, or the horses shoulders etc to gain confidence and it’s definitely working for me.
Any tips really welcome!
Thank you