Ridding Lessons, what to expect?

[Leeana]

I posted pictures of our Tennessee Walker a few days back. He is the first ridding horse we have had in many years bc my dad is getting up there in age and i never got into ridding horses. Allot of my friends around here are 'big horse' people. Let me start off by saying i am basically scared to death of ridding, which is another reason we have not had big horses for a while ....dad gave up on me years ago. One of my friends has a very lazy QH and over the past few months i've been on him about 4x and out of those 4x only 2 of them were of me actually ridding without Britney leading him ...okay i'm a wuss.

Their is just something special about this new horse though, i cant put it into words but i want to ride him ...its just that fear is their. Last saturday we took him over to a indoor arena and Britney rode him down for us and then i was led on him for about 20 minutes ....i had a great time, of course after the 15 or so minutes i spent on the mounting block debating if i really wanted to do this and put my life on the line. He is a very calm and relaxed horse, i truly trust him ..i just dont know if i trust myself enough on him. I've been trying to spend as much time as possible with him so he feels as safe with me and trust me so i can trust him.

Last night we called over to where we took him last week, the lady who owns the stable gives ridding lessons $35/hr on my own horse or $45/hr on her horse. I start lessons 2hrs every Saturday and 2hrs every Wensday. My first lesson is next saturday, cant do one this wensday bc her husband is an auctioner and they are going out of state. Today we ran to TSC and i invested in a crash helmet, brand new tom thrumb snaffle w/ tonge rollers on it and reins that i like. My dad has quite the collection of bridles, i found one that i really like and is fairly new and brought it inside and cleaned it up ..looks almost brand new.

Last Friday dad and i went to Sugarcreek to get a saddle for me, bc he has his 15'' saddle and my butt is slightly bigger then a 15'' saddle lol. We found a 16'' King saddle, that i really regret getting now. Its very light weight and doesnt stay in place. The saddle the lady has over at the stable is a 16'' Billy Cook saddle that was like $900 or so, i dont feel like investing that much into a saddle just yet. What brand is good and reasonably priced?

I didnt expect to really get this into everything, but i am. I just have a few questions, what should i expect in my first few lessons? I want to take it VERY slow and as exited as i am for the first lesson, i have to say that i am scared to death just thinking about being turned loose on a 1,100lb animal. Is it normal to be scared just starting out? Were you? The horse my friend Britney has is extemely lazy (well we call him 'well trained' ..shhhh) and its a good day if he will actually trot and i was still aprehensive about getting on him.

Now i have a few questions about tack.

The girth we have on him is a 33''. How do you determine what size girth you need. Problem we're having is even on the last whole on the left side of the saddle, its up to high and doesnt come up far enough on the other side where you tie it. I have not found anything bigger then a 33'' ..i dont think he is that fat ..maybe its just the saddle? Any suggestions?

Now, i have a bit/bridle question. How do you propperly decide what type of bitt to use? The bitt i got for him is a 'reining bit'. Its a tom thumb snaffle with copper rollers on the tounge, $59 at TSC :new_shocked:. He is pretty soft on the mouth from what Brit told me and isnt hard to control, he doesnt chew the bit either. Did i get the right bit or should i get something different? Also how 'tight' should the bitt be in the mouth or well, the cheek? I was told by someone the bit should sit lightly on the mouth and someone else told me to look for 2 rolls behind the bitt in the cheek.

Now, one last question

. Saddle fitting ....how do you determine what size saddle you should have. The 16'' saddle fits comfy to me but what is the actual way you determine your size saddle? Should the size of your horse or backlength play into choosing the size?

Anything else you have to throw in would be helpfull as well, this is all very new to me.

My fear is falling off and getting my foot stuck in the sturip and getting dragged and stepped on. Or having the horse freak and run off with me. Or rear up and fall down on me. Or lay down and roll with me. Or the saddle to slide sideways. Just allot of 'what ifs' i guess. I dont think its normal to be this scared. I want to learn to ride, i do ....there is just that fear standing in the way.

Thank you

 

[kaykay]

oh leanna you will be fine! I dont know the answers to your tack questions and barely remember taking riding lessons eons ago

:

but a good teacher will tell you what to do in the event of an emergency such as a horse running away (try to turn the head sharply this always slows a horse down, if that doesnt work JUMP OFF)

I taught kyle this on patches when he was 9. Its much better for you to jump off then be thrown off. I made him practice jumping off (or bailing off) when he first learned to ride.

The main thing in riding is to learn to balance yourself with the horse. If you get that down small bucks and rears wont throw you off because you are so balanced.

I know my first lesson mostly my teacher went over the gaits and how to recognize them and what beat they are. She never would let me canter until like my 4th lesson which really made me mad because i love to canter but being older now i understand why she did that

:

oops wanted to also say about the stirrup. most ppl get their foot caught because they have their foot too far in the stirrup. If you have your foot in properly it wont get stuck in there

 

[Pandora]

Always wear heeled boots/shoes to prevent your foot from getting caught in the stirrup. I miss riding. I grew up jumping and riding dressage. It's alot of fun.

For the saddle thing, I know for english saddles you want 2 fingers between your seat and the back of the saddle(or something like that), not sure on fitting for a horse as I never had a big horse to get a special saddle for.

 

[Pepipony]

Leeana , I am really suprised to hear of this new fear of riding. Didnt you do barrels some time back and ride your dads Race Horses, also had that Fresian? Since this fear seems to be so new, with all that past experience, you may really need to look for a GREAT instructor. One that will know of the past riding and know that this is a new fear. Which is different and in some ways, harder to overcome. Best of luck!

 

[Ferrah]

I would get a good qualified saddle fitter to come out and do a saddle fit on your guy. They can also tell you what size seat you will need to be comfortable.

After a ride if you take of the saddle and pad and there are dry spots (the horse did not sweat evenly), then your saddle is rubbing and doesn't fit your horse properly. Sometimes that can be temporarily fixed with a therapeutic pad until you can get a better saddle. Saddle fit is important because if your horse isn't comfortable, he won't have fun working with you.

If your saddle is slipping back a breastcollar might help hold it in place better.

The Billy Cook saddles are expesive, but I LOVE my Billy Cook work saddle and my Billy Cook show saddle. They are very comfortable to ride in and they are of very good quality. The Billy Cook saddles also seem to fit most horses really well. A nice thing about the Billy Cook saddles is that they hold their value very well. You could sell it again later for almost the same amount you bought it for, if you treat it right. Other good saddle brands to look into are Circle Y, and Tex Tan. They are a lot like the Billy Cook's, but usually not as expensive. They have really nice trail/working models that I think would suit your needs just fine. I also like the synthetic Wintec western saddles. You have to make sure they fit the horse (and you), but they are lightweight, inexpensive, durable and great for the trails.

For bits, I really dislike the Tom Thumb, but that is just my personal opinion. I know a lot of people who use them and like them, they are just not for me. I find the shanks are too straight and do not give your horse any "warning" time before the pressure is laid on. I swear more often than not a head tosser seems to be in a tom thumb. There was an article about it in a magazine I got this week, but I cannot remember which one.

For a soft mouthed horse I recommend a eggbutt french link snaffle. Sure it is an "English" bit, but most horses like it and it isn't too severe on a sensitve mouthed horse. A "western" snaffle may also work well for you. You might also want to try an eggbutt snaffle with a copper mouth, a lot of horses like to work this kind of bit in their mouth. Even a full cheek snaffle might be sufficent for you. A curb bit isn't really what you want unless your horse is really "broke" and can be ridden one handed on a relatively loose rein...the way these bits are designed to work. Very few are meant for two handed riding.

Basically my philosphy towards bits is that "less is more". And remember even the gentlest bit can be an instrument of torture...so just remember to keep your hands soft and forgiving and you'll do just fine! Your new instructor should be able to help you with that. your instructor probably will also have some recommendations for bits for you.

As for the riding lesson, just let your instructor know right from the start that you are a rider with "baggage" and you would like to start things nice and easy and take it slow. Let her know you need some confidence building exercises with your horse. If she is an understanding instructor she will do just that.

 

[chandab]

I don't remember the details of your TWH intro thread, so bear with me.

Did you buy the TWH directly from the previous owner or through an auction?

If from the previous owner, ask them what bit they were using.

Can you show us a picture of the bit you bought?

You say it's a reining bit, but also a tom thumb. Personally, I'd never use a tom thumb, they are balanced wrong and tend to be a harsh bit. But, if its a reining bit, its probably configured differently.

The bit should just wrinkle the corner of the mouth. [You may have to adjust a little up or down for your particular horse's comfort - ask your new instructor]

How doesn't the saddle stay in place? Slide back? What?

You should be able to get a longer cinch. I use a 36" cinch on my half-Arab; he's not fat, just deep chested. The cinch should be centered as best as you can, and come up far enough on each side so as to not pinch in the elbow area.

That's all I can think of right now.

 

[Marty]

Leanna, if your riding instructor is worth her gram of salt, she will know how to fit you in a saddle that also fits your horse. I think Billy Cooks were ok in their day but there are far superior brands to that now and I wouldn't pay $900 for it. One of my favorites is a Crates, that I used for Sonny and then I have a few others but mostly the fit is going to be difficult for you because fitting your butt to a saddle that will fit a walking horse isn't the easiest thing in the world so go slow on that. If you need a 16 inch saddle you will have to be very careful that the skirting does not clip your horse in the back end area. He, I think is short coupled? So you will need a saddle with a larger seat but with a small skirt.

Quit buying bits.

There is no way to tell what kind of bit this horse is going to travel on until he is evalutated by your instructor. I hate Tom Thumbs with a passion by the way and also if you have a roller, that will teach him to play with his tongue, but nevertheless quit making bit purchases now. Then you still might have to make a few changes and end up with a large bit collection like most of us do.

Quit buying tack completely until your instructor has seen this horse and measured everything so don't worry about the girth right now either.

Just dump this whole load on your trainer. That's what you pay her for. And that includes, getting over your fears.

You have the will, so you will find the way to ride this horse and that is half your battle.

You can do it!

 

[anoki]

What Marty said!!!!

If your instructor is any good at all, she will tell you what size bit, what size girth, what type of girth, bit, saddle you should look into.....ALLL of that stuff she SHOULD be able to advise you on. Buying *cheap* tack isn't cheap if it is the incorrect equipment for what you and your horse need! DON'T BUY THINGS JUST BECAUSE THEY ARE CHEAP!!!!!!!! Maybe the more expensive saddle is what you need, or find most comfortable.....try as many as you can if you are able too. I always tell people when I'm at a barn....get your hands on as many saddles as you can to try to see what works best for you and your horse. What works best for some people, some horses, and some training methods won't necessarily work best for your situation.

Hope that helps, and please don't take that as coming across too harsh on you....I've seen too many people spend their hard earned money on things because 'they were cheap', or 'all I could afford at the time' just to find out it doesn't work for them or their horse....or it wasn't worth the sale price they paid.....

But DO ENJOY YOUR RIDING!!!!! I hope your instructor can help you get over your fears so you can enjoy riding!!!! And please keep us posted on how you are doing!!!

:

~kathryn

 

[tagalong]

Leeana - I thought you did ride - back when you were telling us about getting your mom on a horse i got the impression that you were teaching her or that you had ridden a lot. Silly me. I was obviously confuzzled...

Listen to Marty and anoki - stop buying tack. Especially bits.

Saddles have to fit you - but of more importance - they need to fit the horse. Let your instructor help you... I would suggest you take lessons on the instructor's lesson horse(s) - that way she can concentrate on you and not a different horse as well. You can switch back to your TWH later...

In the meantime - have fun. Remember to breathe. And relax and enjoy yourself...

:

 

[Jill]

I've had riding horses since 1994 or 1995, and have taken riding lessons and ridden a lot. I am not ever going to be an amazing rider, but I can ride. One thing that helped me A LOT in between lessons was to video tape myself riding and watch what I was doing. That helped me improve a lot more than lessons alone would have.

I'm not sure jumping off is always the best advice if you don't think you can stop the horse at first. I did that once and got a pretty bad concussion (yes, riding without a helmet is even dumber than jumping off a horse...).

Don't ride in the open to start with but in an enclosed area. That way, you can't be run off with but so far!

If you do not plan to show, might want to try australian saddles. I LOVE them. They do really help keep you on the horse. I had one of my horses fall at a trot to his knees and I stayed on which was mostly thanks to the saddle. I also prefer Dr. Cook bitless bridles but that's another story...

Another tip is keep your focus IN FRONT OF YOU, not looking down at the horse. Just keeping your gaze in front will naturally improve your balance and you need to see where you are going.

 

[kaykay]

Jill there is a proper way to bail off a horse. It is not "dumb" to learn how to get off a horse quickly. Obviously no one taught you the proper way to get off quickly.

Just to clarify you practice this first with a horse that is not running away with you

:

Kyle has gotten so good at it that most times he can land on his feet. He also had to use this when riding the neighbors quarter horse mare that took off with him.

If you only ride in enclosed arenas then I agree you probably dont need to know. I grew up riding on open trails where we went riding for hours not just cantering around an enclosed arena. Big difference.

 

[Jill]

Jill there is a proper way to bail off a horse. It is not "dumb" to learn how to get off a horse quickly. Obviously no one taught you the proper way to get off quickly.

Actually, Kay, all my instructors made sure I was not riding in the wide open and in a position to have to bail. I do not think a beginner rider really needs to be learning how to bail form a horse taking off with her. Rather, she needs to be taking lessons in a small ring or with a lunge line. I started in small areas until I was able to ride out in the field or trails and believe that is the smart way to do it. I've never not been able to stop a horse since learning how to ride. Something you need to do before turning a horse into a tight turn is to pull and release the reins which will often stop a horse (vs. constant pulling trying to stop). That said, someone did teach me how to bail but that was not the first order of business as I was new to riding. I really think safety first and a new rider needs to be in a small area or on a line.

 

[Relic]

you said you did barrels so l don't think just plain for fun riding will be to much of a big deal. buying for a horse if you don't know much about him is a waste your instructor will let you know or at the least try out what fits well for your own mount.

 

[Leeana]

I have always been a timid rider. I first started ridding when i was 9, but back then i was a fearless little kid. I started barrels because like i said, allot of my 'big horse' friends were in barrells back then. When i was 11 or so years old i stopped because i just didnt enjoy ridding. It took allot to get me over my fear back then. I didnt get into ridding or enjoy it for some reason, which is why i a few years later got into Miniatures. Now its been a few years and i'm trying to get over that fear agian, exept i dont remember it being this hard. I didnt get into it, so i never took the time to learn the little things ...now i want to. I know my dad grew up with horses and could easily teach me all these things, but i want to learn the right way ....hope that doesnt sound bad. Yes, dad knows how to find a saddle that fits, but does it fit propperly? Yes, dad can find a girth ...but does that girth fit right? Things have come a long way since my dads day.

Its just been a while and i've got that fear back. I've just seen so many things go wrong with my dad ridding his horses over the years and so many accidents (like that video Shane posted, it makes me worry) :no:.

We spent nearly 4 or 5 weeks talking with his owner about our Walker before we bought him and we went down to look at him twice before making the finial decision. I know he is a good horse to start over agian on. The horses my dad had when i was younger and over them years were 'his' horses that 'he' bought, i had no say in what he bought. This guy is one that 'i' liked.

Thank you for all your comments and advice, we may spend the first hour just covering questions i have.

 

[PaintedPromiseRanch]

i never had lessons, my daughter taught me to ride after she had lessons and was in 4-H. i do remember that she came home disappointed from her first lesson, because she didn't even get to sit on the horse. her instructor was very good at making the kids understand that there is a lot of work involved with riding, and if you want the fun part, you have to do the work too. of course having minis you already know how to do that part :bgrin

 

[rabbitsfizz]

I can't really comment on the fear thing as some of the horses I have been stupid enough to get on would make you die of fright just looking at them- and I am sure there are many others on this Forum who have thought "I wonder if 'this is a really stupid thing to do' will be the last thing I think??" :bgrin

I will say I would not have a beginner in a Tom Thumb- especially a snaffle mouth one- they are FOUL bits- use a French Link snaffle- I would go for a full cheek as it gives more contact but it is up to you.

TRUST THE HORSE- just relax and stop thinking of him as a monster.

Have someone hold the horse for you, swing your leg over, relax and close your eyes and just RELAX completely.

Then in your own time open your eyes and ask him to walk on.

My kids were not allowed to ride a new pony until they would do this bareback, in a halter and the horse would walk on without them moving- but I think you should use a saddle as you are not a daredevil idiot child raised with no sense, like them!!!

There is nothing wrong with being scared- that is just all your senses trying to tell you riding a big potentially dangerous animals is silly.

Then you have something else, something inexplicable, MAKING you do it anyway.

Welcome to the wonderful world of "Love of riding" it usually grips people, especially girls, a bit younger but there is nothing wrong with coming to it a bit later.

Stop worrying, worrying is a waste of time- channel; your nerves, make them work for you, and make all this into a positive thing, not a negative.

The horse is a bit too big and you are not (forgive me) built like Kay's son so I do not suggest you learn how to fall off him.

Yet!!!

Go on- go and enjoy yourself, there will be no stopping you, wait and see.

 

[~Karen~]

Go on, relax, have fun, and let the instructor help you know what is right for you an d your horse. She is there to see 1st hand, in the real, and she will know just what you need. Call her up and ask her what to expect on your 1st lesson and what she expects for you to have. That will clear it up and save you some money.

Have Fun! You'll do wonderfully! I am glad to know that you are wise to have an instructor! :~)

~Karen