hi, I'm a self taught rider and some thing i've learnt along my travels is dont show the horse your nervous as most take advantage of this, my gelding patch being one of them. I use silly things like singing out loud when riding him. Yes everyone else thinks your mad but thinking of the words distacts you from being nervous which in turn makes the horse less nervous. The main thing is enjoy yourself and things will just come natural in time. does this help.

Hi!

I've often heard it said not to act nervous - do horses have a "sixth sense" for it? Or are they like dogs, where if you act normal around them they'll not be bothered, even if you're secretly nervous? And when you say "they take advantage", what sort of things are you talking about?
Thanks!
liz

Patch seems to have a sixth sense for it. for example if some body else was to ride him out he would 'try it on' with them to see how far he gets. If he messes around and gets away with it then he seems to act on this and carry on, where as if you put him straight and tell him your not scared and we are going ride then he stops and the rest of the ride he's an angel. When I 1st got him he made me nervous and he new it so if he didn't want to do some thing like be washed he would turn his bum to me and i'd panick and stop what I was doing, but my partner could do what he like, we caame to the conculsion that he was purposely making me scared. so next time I didn't move and he was like oh ok bath me then.
Any way riding school horses should know their job and technically none of this should happen with them as they will be used to being with nervous and novice people. If possible ask if you can brush the horse as well as riding, it will help you make friends.
keep chatting and enjoy
cat

Thanks Cat!

The idea about brushing the horse is a really good one. I think that might help put me at ease a lot. Your thoughts on not standing for any nonsense from a horse sounds a lot like what I do with dogs! I'm really looking forward to learning now

Cheers!
Liz

your welcome, its nice to be able to help some one, when I first started I found it hard to talk to any one because I talked like fringe instead of forelock etc, I used to muck out for a women who took money for rides on her horses to pay the keep. If I mucked out all 15 stables I was aloud to take the big plod (buck) which no one else wanted to ride out for as long as I wanted. I wasn't aloud lessons because my mum said we couldn't afford it. I fell in love with riding but the women eventually sold up and finished. A few years later a job of my own I eventually got the dream of owning my own. I could ride and look after her but didnt know the language in the shops to buy anything. Now 5 yeaars down the line I own 2 with a foal arriving next month and I western ride, jump, drive and just starting the parelli stuff with both my horses with just books as info and trial and error tactics. We' re all doing fine and enjoying ourselves and we still havn't had a riding lesson.
any way enough about us. Let me know how the riding goes. good luck
luv cat

WoW!
All without a lesson! That sounds amazing! Who knows where my toe-dipping into the horse world might take me!

Liz

A word for the wise Liz. Knowledge is power, and so is experience. It takes a while to gain "Horse Sense" so to speak. Never listen to anyone who tells you to either hit or shout at your horse. That is never the right way to handle it. Never give in even when it seems the going is really tough - it always works out in the end. Look out for a book called "Horses Gaits and Movements" (I can't remember the name of the author unfortunately) It's worthwhile learning to understand why your horse moves the way they do and how. I'll explain a little more sometime soon, when I have a bit more time. Hiya Cat! Hope everything is going okay with you and your endevours. Anyway got to go and sort out my girls with dinner.

All the best

Liz CG

hi!

I got back from my holiday a little while ago. The horse trek was great!! I'm glad I had learned a little about what to expect. I thought it was a fantastic way to have a taste of what horse-riding might be like. I nearly slid off sideways when we tried the trot! That was a bit scary cos it feels so high up.

Thanks for all your help! - Liz CG, I get what you mean about gaining horse-sense. I remember when I first got my dog, we'd sit in the living room, both of us wondering what the other's next move was going to be. It was all a bit tense initially! It felt the same getting on the horse for my first time. I had no idea what he was about to do - if he lunged his head forward I'd think he was trying to shake me off the reins so he could do his own thing!!

Cheers loads! I'm definately going to learn to ride properly. Just need to find the money for lessons now... hmm...

Liz

Hiya Liz! Glad to know you had such a nice time on your holiday. Even if you just have a lesson once a month it's better than nothing at all. E-mail me if you have any queries and don't let anyone give you long lectures about what you should and shouldn't do. Find someone who lives near that is knowledgeable and would be willing to help you out with the practical side of owning and riding a horse. Ignore the know-it-alls - you'll find they're talking loads of hot air and not much else. Have loads and loads of fun with your new found interest.

All the best

Liz CG

There is tons of things you should know! You should always where a helmet and keep your heels down! I dont know what stile your ridings sooo

You need to just relax and think about something else. If you are a beginner then chances are you will have a leader anyway. Its good fun so enjoy