Returning to RDA.

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kturner

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:confused:Hi, Monty and others.

I have decided to return to RDA, as my daughters ex-pony (now mine) is NOT the best match for me, and I cant afford another big horse without selling him, which I wont do. Havent been on a larger horse for 4 years now. So got forms sent to me and filled them in and they are with GP for signature now.

I went to RDA about 10 yrs ago, then stopped when we got our own quiet fell. She returned to breeder to have a last foal at 19yrs old, 4yrs ago.

Will let you know how it is being back on a 'big' one soon. Little un that I have been riding for the last 4 yrs is only 11.3 and very sharp. He had me off, with naughtiness, about 30 times in the first 3 months of taking him over, but not at all for the last 3 yrs since I learnt to read the warning signs and get control of him. Now for the majority of the time he just plods and trots with me.

I cant imagine I would fall off a bigger one if I can stay on little un at his speeds, (ex games pony), but still a little nervous of the height increase I am going to face.

The strength is a worry for me too. Although I cant stop Little un if he takes off, turning in a circle, etc,.... I can however do everything by voice. A grunt (hey!) will usually stop him taking off or bucking. And he is very sensitive to the leg and voice controlled to do just about anything. I worry that a bigger one will be too hard to stop with little arm strength. My wrists and thumbs dislocate and shoulders are always threatening to. If I wrench my back, my discs slip in and out very easily. 2 are ruptured. I have no ligaments in my left knee as the cruciate ligaments are snapped. That dislocates too.

Need I worry about these things on RDA horses? My reason for asking is that I know as a rider for 46yrs, that someone on the end of a leadrope cant really stop or control a horse that wants to do something. As a rider, I have always shouted let go, kicked my stirrups away for better balance, and just got stuck in to sorting it myself.

The body is broken but the mind is just so overactive and wanting to do so much. Time to accept it is time to slow down and get more cautious.

I am so used to my own past and present and worried about getting on something strange. I wont know what is in its head.
 
I havent been out of the saddle, just having to change size. I have only ever had bad experiences with RDA horses in the past and riding something strange feels very ominous after having had my own these past 10 yrs.

I like to get to know them and know what is in their heads before I get on, then I feel I have more control. At a lesson, I will just have to get straight up on a strange one without doing any groundwork first :eek: (parelli and QS student here).

Do you think they will let me play with it first? (groundwork that is) lol
 
kturner,
they shoud allow regular visits first,to build it up that way,if its something that woud help with getting closer-grooming is allowed as well [unless the one are going to doesn't].

sorry for being slow in following,but is there any reason why they woud not allow a smaller pony,unless are being limited by weight,or their lack of mixed height ponies/horses?
in all the RDAs have been to,have noticed a wide range of sizes so if are ok in weight for them,cant see why they woud want to put on a bigger horse when it woud be adding problems?
if had no choice but to be put on a big horse,there shoudnt be charging off problems especially with a helper and lead rope at the side,RDA horses have to be extra tolerent.

woud having a different saddle help feel more secure? some RDAs do have a choice in tack- like bareback pads,treeless,synthetic,leather...,ask to see if they have them if its something that woud help.

if the idea of getting on a bigger horse becomes too much,and are not able to have a smaller pony,woud RDA driving lessons be a option/choice instead?


woud have recommended the RDA am at [millers nook] if were closer.
 
My pony is 11.3 and I am 9 stone and go on him once a month or so for 20 mins to the shop and back just to keep saddle and bit on hiim till grandchildren arrive. We walk there and trot about half way back. There are a few little bushes and sticks he usually veres over to and jumps them. So as you can see he is not really suitable for a lot of work, however the trainer he went to was the same as me and was hacking him an hour a day on steep hills and he didnt seem to mind.

With that in mind, the RDA said they have a weight limit and size ratio, and including saddle have to put me at 10 stone and on a 15h. How heavy is their saddle??? Mine is treeless sued and sheepskin and less than 2kgs.

I was going to ask them if I could use my treeless saddle as it is very sticky and has great pommel and cantel. It weighs very little and cant hurt their horse, so maybe they will let me unless they have 'rules'. It may fizz horse up though as they have much more freedom of movement and mine 3 all loved it.

I have been on 4 rda's that had problems before which is why I am nervous now that I have more physical problems. One loved doing mini rears and running to instructor. One took off full belt round arena because I was riding day after fireworks night and instructor stupidly clapped loud and scared it. It was over 20 I think and had not cantered for years.

Another one took off with my ex-husband who bailed at full gallop as it was heading for my horse and instructor in the middle was mounted on his 4yr old who was too scared to go chasing after him. Only time he didnt wear body protector and bruised three ribs.

I got the instructors one next time, didnt know it was 4yrs, it was 17.3h and the instructors own horse, I had a saddle but he said we needed to go bitless, as horse was better that way. Nothing went wrong that time, but I couldnt rise to such a large trot as it hurt my back. With hindsight I know he was just wanting his horse to get excersie and experience.

So you can understand why I am nervous of something I dont know. I am a very good rider and can cope with the behaviour, but I am worried about my spine having another fall from such a big height. When Little un gets me off it is only 3 foot and I land on my side next to him and he waits for me to get back on.
 
Speak to the RDA about their height/weight ratio. I "think" the reason for this could be that some of their clients wont be able to ride with a "light" seat hence, the need for a height/weight ratio.

Have nothing else to offer - sorry! But hope that they allow you to build up a relationship on the ground with the horse before riding it if this will help.
 
The Rs school i go to is also RDA and all the horses they use are very calm and manageable. Most of them are big hairy highlands or fjords or lazy cobs.

i can't see why you couldn't go along and get to know the intended pony before you ride. I totally understand your concerns about a bigger horse too. I have found a lovely 13.2 fjord that i love to bits and i am 5ft 9. He is cheeky but because i have gotten to know him on the ground and been riding him for weeks now i feel super confident with him. Getting on bigger horses just makes me look down all the time at the massive drop to the ground!! I have a problem with one of my hips and with 3 young kids can't afford to do it any further damage and be out of action.

Why not speak to them and ask if you can come and get to know the pony first as you would be much more comfortable with that. No harm in asking.
 
I went today for accessment.

I got there a bit early but they were free and horse was tacked up already. I said ' now I have to tack up myself'. Out came the backbrace, body protector, knee braces, wrist braces and hat. Then a long walk up the hill into menage and mounting block.

There was one person leading, one on either side, and instructor 10 foot in front of me as well! 4 people. I told her that I had my own mad little pony but was wanting to get back to something a little larger and quieter as safety was becoming a concern with my health getting worse. I wont ever give up though. I said to my daughter who was with me, as long as there is still breath in me, she must keepp putting me on.

Only went round for about 10 minutes in walk, did some circles and did bending through the comes. She said she just wanted to check my position and balance and if I got on with the horse.

Dismounting was funny. I press my ponies neck and he puts his head down for me to put left leg over his head when I twist round and hold his neck and slide down right side to land on good right leg. I explained this to her and all four looked at me as if I was crazy. So all four stood there to catch me.

It was a 15 or so hand black and white cob. VERY lazy, looked like mine after a handful of ACP.

I was not at all nervous and all went well so I will be booking to go back. In fact I may ask them to lose the extra staff and give me one that is a little more awake.

Will keep you updated.
 
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