Help with riding this horse

Question

at horse camp, i started out riding the horse i usually ride. but now that i cant ride him because one of the other horses is now lame and that rider has to ride the horse i rode, i have to ride an eventing horse. They dont have anymore lesson horses. 1 is only being ridden once a day, and i love riding him, but they wont let me. Any tips on riding bigger and more excited horses? im used to riding ponies that take tiny strides to jumps and im freaked out to jump this horse cause im afraid he jumps huge. any help?

Answer 1

If you feel that uncomfortable, just say "no"!  You should not ride a horse you feel "freaked out" about.  The horse will know it and you're putting yourself and others in danger.  Take turns with a horse you feel better riding, or ask for a private riding session with a camp leader, maybe while the others are doing something you don't like doing?  They shouldn't be putting you in this position.  

Answer 2

If this is a camp where you have the choice to jump or not to jump, exercise your prerogative. If it is a jump camp, than have a heart to heart with your instructor and ask for a little individual attention until you get over your insecurities.  Sometimes, it is only the leap from the pony to the regular size horse that is the problem, it might even be a better ride than you expect.  No matter what, communicate with your instructor, they can't help you if you don't confide in them.

Answer 3

Well bigger horses dosent actually mean that they are fiesty.i would start out slow and do walk and trot and see how that goes. I would also suggest that wen u go to the jump start small and take it at a trot. Which will stop him from going fast. BE CONFIDENT AND STRONG HORSES WILL RESPECT U FOR THAT! Good luck and if u need help DO NOT BE AFRAID TO ASK FOR HELP. I wus afraid to ask wen i rode an advanced horse and did poorly, so ask questains.

Answer 4

That is completely irrisponsible of the camp to do that. Tell them how you feel about riding the horse, and if they disregard your comment/question or don't answer it, Just leave.  They should always have enough lessons horse for everbody.

Hope this helps!

Answer 5

after doing your safety check, and put your helmet on,  mount up and hang out a bit.  take a few slow, deep breaths and try to just relax.  visualize how you want your ride to go, as you're going thru it.  if you get nervous, you'll make the horse nervous.  try to trust your training, and trust the horse.  if the trainer trusts you on this horse, unless you have a reason not to, trust the trainer's confidence in you.

larger horses tend to "float" more than a pony, because of the larger stride.  the gaits should be a bit easier for you to ride, than that of a pony.

riding a bigger horse is a thrill.  just wait until you relax into it.  after riding my 17 hand nsh, i almost dread starting my 14 hand arab...lol.

Answer 6

Well I jump a big thoroughbred and we jump  about 4 feet and its amazing when your jumping HUGE lol But if your still uncomftorable then just make sure you keep him slow and sit really deep in your saddle dont give him much of his head either and not a very big crest release! Just sit before, after, and in between jumps dont get forward!!!!

Answer 7

Well, you sound like you have enough experience to handle it.  I'd say hold on, use your experience, and enjoy the ride!  Ponies can be quite excited themselves, but easier to control because of their smaller size.  Of course, some horses need very advanced riders due to their excitability and strength.  But you seem to be doing just fine.  With more practice, you'll "get the feel" of the big guys and become more in sync with them.  Just don't let your fear overcome you as the horse may sense you timidness and react accordingly.  Chin up, be confident, and take things slowly at first.

You'll be on your way before you know it, and you might even begin to prefer the longer stride and greater power of the horse beneath you.

Good luck!