I have been riding for 4 months now, a majority of that being on a 15 yo gelding named Saxon. I learned to turn, trot and tack up with him. Recently, however he had 2 weeks off due to mud scalding on his legs (and he also has arthritis). When he came back from his break he was very fresh, very flighty and acting very different (I think this is normal because he was so fresh) he refused to let me touch one of his back legs. He's always an angel while tacking up, and we had good lessons until after this break.
I get on him and it takes a LOT of leg pressure to get him to turn and fast walk, and when I tell him to trot he goes into trots quickly but he almost immediately takes a sharp turn and trots to the exit.
When I first learned to trot on him I let him take control sometimes (BIG mistake I know) because I couldn't turn well (and still can't use leg pressure well during rising trot but Saxon doesn't give me much chance to anyways), so maybe he thinks he can still get away with that now? I can't stop him with body cues or saying 'woah' and 'easy' (but my body was very loose because I was shocked and not doing my best) so I lightly pull on the reins, and he continues to trot with his head pulled up.
Sometimes I stop him before he gets out of the exit but sometimes he goes out the exit. I instinctually use the reins to turn back into the paddock (I'm working on using leg pressure only) but he was literally shuffling sideways away from the entrance. I had to get off him and lead him back into the paddock and get back on. This happens every lesson to varying degrees. I'm dreading going to my lessons now and feel like a failure
His ground manners are always great (but I can tell he doesn't have a lot of respect for me) and he's always an angel being tacked up.
I know I'm doing a lot wrong and I can't find what to do anywhere on the internet so please give me some tips!
Also, my instructor is on leave so my new instructor just leads me to the field and leaves so I have no help from anyone. She also barely knows much about horses.
I think other people can stop him, just not me.
I know it is my fault and I'm a bad rider but I don't know what to do and how to get better especially because I don't have an instructor or any help. Please give me some tips!
I get on him and it takes a LOT of leg pressure to get him to turn and fast walk, and when I tell him to trot he goes into trots quickly but he almost immediately takes a sharp turn and trots to the exit.
When I first learned to trot on him I let him take control sometimes (BIG mistake I know) because I couldn't turn well (and still can't use leg pressure well during rising trot but Saxon doesn't give me much chance to anyways), so maybe he thinks he can still get away with that now? I can't stop him with body cues or saying 'woah' and 'easy' (but my body was very loose because I was shocked and not doing my best) so I lightly pull on the reins, and he continues to trot with his head pulled up.
Sometimes I stop him before he gets out of the exit but sometimes he goes out the exit. I instinctually use the reins to turn back into the paddock (I'm working on using leg pressure only) but he was literally shuffling sideways away from the entrance. I had to get off him and lead him back into the paddock and get back on. This happens every lesson to varying degrees. I'm dreading going to my lessons now and feel like a failure
His ground manners are always great (but I can tell he doesn't have a lot of respect for me) and he's always an angel being tacked up.
I know I'm doing a lot wrong and I can't find what to do anywhere on the internet so please give me some tips!
Also, my instructor is on leave so my new instructor just leads me to the field and leaves so I have no help from anyone. She also barely knows much about horses.
I think other people can stop him, just not me.
I know it is my fault and I'm a bad rider but I don't know what to do and how to get better especially because I don't have an instructor or any help. Please give me some tips!
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