Calming tricks for riders?

Emiry · Advanced

Calming tricks for riders?

Barbara F · Grand Prix

Go to the Barnmice Review and to Jane Savoie's page on Barnmice and there will be some articles for you.

I guess I would start by asking myself what it is that is making you tense and see if you can address that. For example, are you worried you might fall off because the horse has a bit more canter than you can ride right now? If so, that's a legitimate concern and you should stick with a horse that has a comfy canter until you get really solid in the gait. Believe me, everyone here has bounced all over the place and lost our balance when we were learning to canter.

Perhaps you are worried that you made mistakes with your inside rein and leg. Again, I promise you that everyone here (if they've been riding long enough) has made so many mistakes, we can't possibly add them all up.

What were the things you did correctly today? I'll bet there were a few things you did well. Commend yourself for those things and think about what you might try to improve on in your next ride.

As far as thinking about external things, one of the joys of riding for me is how "present" i am during the ride. My grocery list, my work, everything else melts away. Try to find joy in the moment and remember to congratulate yourself for small successes.

Take baby steps.

-- Edited by Barbara F on Tuesday 7th of June 2011 06:28:59 PM

-- Edited by Barbara F on Tuesday 7th of June 2011 09:09:15 PM

Emiry · Advanced

My main problem is that I over-think, which probably isn't the right word...I more or less loose focus, which then throws my balance off which then cause me to get more off....after I got refocused, I could canter, but I tend to loose my focus easy, which than affects everything else.

Goatgirl · Advanced

sometimes what I tell nervous students is to 'sing' - doesn't matter what...'sing' - quietly (if you don't want to feel silly)- your a.b.c. song...or one little two little 3 little ponies...- when you sing - because when you do that you breathe..you have to breathe to sing...and as you breathe you relax...

I used to sing the alphabet in jumping lessons if the course was making me nervous...because I know that inside and out and don't have to think...or just go lalllalllalalalala making sound so I would breathe..

however most of the time when I tell them to sing..they just laugh and so I'll start to sing...and my students relax...or I'll do a little 'dance' - and 'sing the instructions...so that it's not such a big deal - and they'll relax....

but different things work for different people..

with your losing focus...

try....singing/thinking/chanting

heals down, legs on, loosie goosie in the hips, hands up eyes up... or heals and legs and hips and eyes (sung to the tune of head and shoulders..etc.)

that way you're breathing..and thinking....it's important to remember that it's not the end of the world if you make a mistake you're learning..sometimes when we're learning something we want to 'get it' sooooh much that we end up shooting ourselves in the foot because we get all tangled up in our head...and thoughts and stuff...

-- Edited by Goatgirl on Tuesday 7th of June 2011 06:41:59 PM

Deborah Hopkins · Yearling

When I started cantering on my new horse, it felt really fast and out of control. So I started getting tense and a little nervous.
Because the horse was not really out of control, and from a rational viewpoint, there was little likelihood of bucking or bolting
(in this particular situation), my coach had me go into two point and just let the mare go, and basically just go along for the ride.
I knew I could trust this mare, so that's what I did. After about 10 canters (over several weeks) it didn't feel out of control anymore.
I began to feel the joy in the canter! My relaxation made all the difference for the mare and for me. Maybe two point could work for you too? BTW don't be in a hurry, learning to ride well takes time. Enjoy the journey...

Jackie Cochran · Advanced

I think that your teacher may be telling you that your body knows how to do it (sit the canter) if you will let it. View it as a complement. In many ways I envy you, because of my MS I have to continually pay attention to my position, the way my brain is my riding will never be automatic like it is for normal people. Once your body gets it you will be able to ride free, and your body will not forget.

The first 4 years I rode as a kid I never learned to sit the canter, and I kept on by holding onto the pommel. When I started riding again I was determined never to pull leather again! Like Deborah I started off in two-point, sat down for a few strides, and got back up into two-point when my butt started bouncing in the saddle. Eventually I got it.

Kathleen K · Well Schooled

Well, I'd work on improving your seat at the trot. Drop those stirrups (or lose the saddle!) and trot, trot, trot. If you are able, pop over some fences at the trot without stirrups. A stronger, more secure seat will translate into your canter work.

Also can your instructor put you on a longe line? That way she has control of the horse and you can simply work on getting your position and seat where they need to be.

Marlene · Advanced

While these are all good suggestions, I'd mainly go with Katherine's suggestion. I'd go further and say ride bareback (or with a bareback pad, treeless saddle), no stirrups. When you can really feel your horses movement and rhythm, and follow the motion as loose as you can go. Then go back to the saddle , but without stirrups. Sitting the trot is great because really you can't do it without stirrups unless you loosen up your body. Also if you get the hang of starting your horse in a more collected canter, it's much smoother. Cantering up a bit of an incline sometimes helps accomplish this.

And if you aren't doing it yet, I would recommend some dryland exercises that loosen up your pelvis and back, upper and lower.

-- Edited by Marlene on Monday 20th of June 2011 09:38:21 AM

Emiry · Advanced

Sorry for not replying till now, I have been really into studying for exams (now finished!) so while reading the suggestions and thinking them over I never got much chance to reply back.

Before we got near cantering, we were made to trot with no stirrups, so I can do that sitting and posting. And while never jumping stirrup less, my last jumping lesson(at the trot) was trying to get me to feel going into two-point on a horse who is bigger and doesn't automatically "push" me into position per say, because even with the vertical, I kept forgetting to go into two-point, so my seat is solid, and I know it is, but this knowledge doesn't help me, it's all in my head and I know it is. I am just a nervous scared person, my Nan's the same way so I always joke that I inherited it.

My instructor has this large pony she was exercising(as a favor until the owner finds a part-leaser) who she thinks would be good for me to lease, since I mentioned that I wanted a lease so I can get out, and practice myself on stuff that I know, and have some homework instead of just riding one day a week, in a lesson. I should be trying the horse out next week and if all goes good, I am going to try bareback, and more stirrup less work.

Thanks for the suggestions!

Marlene · Advanced

This may sound silly, but if you are nervous about the canter, maybe you should practice falling off. Not dropping on your head (lol), but the kids who learn vaulting pop on and off the horse so naturally, you'd pretty much have to get over the fear of falling, if that's what's at the bottom of it. The horses they use are very solid of course, and you don't have to do all the fancy stuff, just get a few lessons on mount and dismount, which is done with the horse moving. I can sympathize with the Nervous Nelly syndrom, I do it myself sometimes, but I never did when I was younger. I found I just had to put in the miles, but it would have been simpler if my horse had been less skittish. Try reading the book "Feel the fear, and do it Anyway".