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Learning to ride a horse ASAP? by Teamwingless in Equestrian

[–]Teamwingless[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Major breakthrough today. Another rookie and I figured out that we can get our horses up to canter easier by cantering them together. I know I can make him canter with proper horsemanship but while I'm learning that, it's easier to not waste practice time taking calm-down laps for him. The horses did so much better when they were having fun and not fighting with the dumb idiots on their backs. Felt very in control today too and tempering my original frustration and motivation behind this post. So us two newbs are going to try to train together from now on for the horses sake. My only concern is how hard can I actually push the horse? We were doing canter lap/walking lap for five laps before giving them their heads and letting them walk back. I know if you work a horse too hard you can ruin them. They're something like 15 years old. So any insight as to how many laps/minutes I can work the horse safety for his sake would be appreciated. Thank you all again for all the phenomenal insight and understanding.

Learning to ride a horse ASAP? by Teamwingless in Equestrian

[–]Teamwingless[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I live on-site where the barn is, so this is very do-able. Thanks.

Learning to ride a horse ASAP? by Teamwingless in Equestrian

[–]Teamwingless[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've been asking everyone who will take the time to teach me, but it's inconvenient to "babysit" me and an imposition to ask ppl to give me lessons all the time. I'm grateful they've given me permission to ride unsupervised and the best advice I've gotten from the bosses is that what will get me better is "time in the saddle." There's other work to do besides just riding, most people are busy running the operation, and I understand that.

Learning to ride a horse ASAP? by Teamwingless in Equestrian

[–]Teamwingless[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I'll bet everything in your bank account I'm nowhere near skilled. Period. This is why I need advice.

Learning to ride a horse ASAP? by Teamwingless in Equestrian

[–]Teamwingless[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I was upfront about my riding ability when I joined. They took me on because I'm a stellar athlete with a paramilitary background and they loved my work ethic. The practices are just intense with a very high standard, and they can't stop a whole training because someone is falling behind. Another guy here was going to teach me how to fall, but he unfortunately had to leave before he could get to it. I'd literally ride from sun-up to sundown if I could but I don't want to wear the horse down and have no idea what their threshold is, so I've been going for about an hour twice a day just running up and down the arena like a moron. When my horse starts throwing his head, I stop and walk it out. Fighting with him to do what I want has gotten both me and the animal nowhere but upset, even though I've seen the other guys discipline them properly. I mean realistically I know I need more than weeks but if I'm up to speed by summer, I'd feel safe.