I rode in a outdoor that, I'll be honest with you, I didn't know we could use for lessons. It was huge! When we were working on jumping I loved the feeling of cantering away for a good few seconds. Normally in the indoor you have to slow down sooner to not be in the next jumper's way. Wheeeeeeeee!!!!!!
Ok, that being said, I royally sucked at riding yesterday. I'm going through serious growing pains in two directions:
1. Learning to ride horses that respond very differently to rein pressure
2. Learning to jump properly without overthinking it
They're both related.
The horse I rode yesterday was initially Western-broke. Before my instructor told me that, I noticed she was more responsive on a loose rein. She would actively fight me if I gathered up the reins and tried to pull her at all in one direction or another.
And she'd refuse the jump if I didn't have almost a full loop in the reins. Usually my release happens when they're already jumping. This is probably wrong. It's definitely wrong for her. Can't blame her. She probably feels all compressed and uncomfortable. But it's counter-intuitive when you're worried she's going to run out, to just rely on your legs! We had a bounce to a two stride, and we'd usually duck out before that last jump. Could not put the whole thing together by keeping the reins loose and using a good driving seat. Also kept collapsing and it's totally noticeable when the horse refuses because suddenly your hands are on her neck for balance! Busted!!
My brain says yes, my body says no. Just counter-intuitive stuff that I'm sure other adult beginners feel.
Ok, that being said, I royally sucked at riding yesterday. I'm going through serious growing pains in two directions:
1. Learning to ride horses that respond very differently to rein pressure
2. Learning to jump properly without overthinking it
They're both related.
The horse I rode yesterday was initially Western-broke. Before my instructor told me that, I noticed she was more responsive on a loose rein. She would actively fight me if I gathered up the reins and tried to pull her at all in one direction or another.
And she'd refuse the jump if I didn't have almost a full loop in the reins. Usually my release happens when they're already jumping. This is probably wrong. It's definitely wrong for her. Can't blame her. She probably feels all compressed and uncomfortable. But it's counter-intuitive when you're worried she's going to run out, to just rely on your legs! We had a bounce to a two stride, and we'd usually duck out before that last jump. Could not put the whole thing together by keeping the reins loose and using a good driving seat. Also kept collapsing and it's totally noticeable when the horse refuses because suddenly your hands are on her neck for balance! Busted!!
My brain says yes, my body says no. Just counter-intuitive stuff that I'm sure other adult beginners feel.
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