Rusty Riders and those lacking confidence

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Rusty Riders and those lacking confidence

This group is for riders lacking confidence or have ridden before, had an accident and can't get back on or have just not had the time and have gotten a little "rusty".

Location: Gweek Riding Center, Telkwa, B.C.
Members: 26
Latest Activity: Jul 1, 2014

Discussion Forum

How do I get the confidence to ride again? 7 Replies

Started by Barbara Chapel. Last reply by Shirley Apr 10, 2010.

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Comment by Cindy Jeffery on September 26, 2012 at 7:48pm

I ride western and when I put my left foot in the stirrup (I use a mounting block) and swing my right leg over the croup my leg doesn't swing over as easy and my crotch, hips, legs hurt as I slowly ease into the saddle seat, then I sit for a few minutes to settle into the saddle. The pain is terrible but eases as I sit there. Definitely not in a rush these days :-))

Comment by Jackie Cochran on September 26, 2012 at 9:56am

Good luck at the clinic.  I don't think I've ever had pain like yours, pubic bone pain, yes, but I think yours sounds different.  I fixed that by switching from my Stubben Siegfried to a flatter seated Crosby saddle.

Come to think of it I did have horrible crotch pain a year or so ago, my 40 year old Stubben had lost its seat padding and my bones were on the tree.  Bad in the saddle, excrutiating for the next few days.  I got me a sheepskin seat saver and that fixed it.  I hope you can find a solution too.

Comment by Cindy Jeffery on September 25, 2012 at 11:43pm

So I'm going to a reining clinic on the weekend, pray for me or wish me luck or just think of me.  I rode tonight to see if I could do it, I did but the pain getting on and sitting astride was excruciating, to the point of tears but I persevered, I was not going to let the pain rule.  I rode walk/trot maneuvers for about 10 mins. and ended on a real good stop, I figured before my pain got the best of me I would quit on a good note, thereby not ruining my horse.  Parka (profile pic) was wonderful and my pain didn't seem to bother him which is what I was worried about.  I'll ride again Thursday, hopefully for a little longer :-)))

Comment by Kate Green on September 25, 2012 at 11:59am

What i chose to do when I opted for lessons to rebuild my confidence is I chose and instructor with a reliable, well trained horse for me to practice on during the lessons. You have to remember that most of our horses are either untrained, just starting or been retired for over 10 yrs.  I needed a horse that understood what she was being asked to do and would give me minimum fight.  She challenges me every now and then and tries to just do what she wants, but Melinda is basically too lazy to fight hard.  My horses sometimes think that if they scare me, I will quit.  Fortunately, Melinda is an even enough mount that we are up to trotting, with and without stirrups and I may soon progress to lope/canter.  I have also begun training my horses and have one under saddle, another one coming along, and 3 young horses to work in the future.  My biggest challenge will be my fiances mare. She has been a handful in the past, but with time and repetition I can get her back in line.

Comment by Jackie Cochran on September 25, 2012 at 9:02am

I also wondered about one for Western saddles, Shirley.  They do have a longer one for use with the treeless saddles and side-saddles.  Maybe you could attach it to those big rings for the girth straps on the saddle?

It is so neat that Cash actively participates in your therapy! 

Comment by Shirley on September 25, 2012 at 1:03am
I have been working with a lady for my fear issues and she is awesome. I had gotten to the point that I was trembling whenever I got on my horses back and I was so sad and frustrated & scared that I did not know what to do to conquer this. I had had some wonderful people try to help me and they did in many ways but this really deep fear was getting worse. We have worked with a tapping method that is also used for PTSD and Essential Oils and Reiki plus trying to get through to my body on a cellular level. I have gone from sitting on my horse trembling to being pretty comfortable at a walk and trot again. Cash really gets into the therapy sessions and we use his reactions sometimes to know whether an idea or a movement or an oil is a good choice. If we get into a deep discussion Cash will stand so still when I am on or off him but when I am off him he wants to be right there in on everything. He has the option to walk away but does not. He stays right with us. He licks and chews when we are onto something good for emotional health and riding things. He has been such a gift and is so special to me. And I am thrilled with my new instructor. She is a very special person. She sees the tiniest things so we are able to work on some of the little things that make a big difference to the horse. I have a ways to go but now I'm not working on blind faith. I'm seeing progress. And Cash lets me know at the end of our sessions that he feels the progress too.
Cindy, I hope you find something that helps you to be able to ride with more comfort.
Jackie, Do you know if that new gadget will work with a traditional western saddle?
I have that question in with the people selling them but thought you might know.

 

Comment by Cindy Jeffery on September 24, 2012 at 5:39pm

I have thought of that, but my balance is affected somewhat.  So I am considering driving.  My trouble is my reaction time to keep safe is slower now.  I have a physio therapist who has me on exercises, I see him every 2 weeks and then go sit in the hot tub for awhile. Looking forward to Thursday for my next session :-)

Comment by Jackie Cochran on September 24, 2012 at 5:25pm

I'm sorry to hear about your problems Cindy.  I remember after my car wreck how painful it was to ride.

If you have a good sense of balance side-saddle is an option.  I could not do it because I do not have a good sense of balance.  It surely would have made me more secure!

Comment by Cindy Jeffery on September 24, 2012 at 5:07pm

Well ladies age is really creeping up on me.  So much so it has caught me so I am having trouble riding astride, the pain is excrutiating.  But, I continue to persevere and ride for the time I am able.  Thankfully I have my 28 yr old gelding who took me into ribbons many times in our youth, I trust him completely and although he stumbles now and then he is very careful with me.  I have discovered he doesn't stumble if I don't pressure him to perform or push to go faster. I can't go faster then a walk and most often bareback, I just let him go take me for a walk, I can still rein him but my leg aids are nearly invisible.  But I know horses are very sensitive and perseptive so this disability is very timely in teaching me just how sensitive, understanding and perceptive they really are.  I am getting prepared for opening my place for therapeutic riding focusing on autism, so real experience is the best way to teach.  Learn to do by doing!  Although I would not have chosen all this pain for myself and would love to be like I was 4 months ago.  There was no accident just fast degeneration, I continue to be mobile with the help of drugs.

Comment by Jackie Cochran on September 24, 2012 at 11:52am

Hi!

I ran into a reference to this gizmo on another blog.  It looks VERY interesting.  You can see it at http://www.rstor.co.uk.  It looks so interesting to me I have one coming (I hope it gets here soonest).

I will report on it when it gets here.  I looked at the site, read it all and looked at the videos, and you know what?

I MIGHT BE ABLE TO TRAIL RIDE SAFELY AGAIN!!!!!!

Look at it.  This might give you the extra security you need.  The beauty of this is that it no way ties you to the saddle, if it is safer for you to let go, just let go.  MUCH better than being tied onto the saddle.

I will be blogging on this as soon as it gets here and I get some riding in.

 

 

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