Well it has only taken me 12 months since I got Ricky my 15hh QH/ASH and I have finally been able to trot on him. 
Being a beginner rider and as Ricky is only 5, I have been really nervous about how he might react if I lost my balance or something. I have been able to ride him only at a walk and about a month ago I started practising my trotting on my daughters horse Kenny (a real gentle giant). It has taken a while because I dont get too many opportunities to ride. Anyway on Saturday I finally got to a stage where I could steer, bring him back to a walk and post to the trot without losing balance (on Kenny).
On Sunday my OH gave me the inspiration to try to trot my boy Ricky - he told me that I dont ride him enough because I ride Kenny and that I should sell him!!! Well, that did it!!! My daughter got on him and showed me how she could flop around on him at the trot and he didnt react so I had a go. Heart in mouth and after a deep breath, I trotted - initially only about 6 strides and then on to about 15!!! That may not sound like a lot but it was huge to me. Once I had done that amount a few times - with my heart still thumping I decided to go back to a walk and make sure he was happy to do this for me and to finish on a good note. Cant wait till next weekend to have another go (if the weather is kind).
pictures are uploading onto photobucket - wont be long!
Being a beginner rider and as Ricky is only 5, I have been really nervous about how he might react if I lost my balance or something.
I have been able to ride him only at a walk and about a month ago I started practising my trotting on my daughters horse Kenny (a real gentle giant). It has taken a while because I dont get too many opportunities to ride. Anyway on Saturday I finally got to a stage where I could steer, bring him back to a walk and post to the trot without losing balance (on Kenny). On Sunday my OH gave me the inspiration to try to trot my boy Ricky - he told me that I dont ride him enough because I ride Kenny and that I should sell him!!!
Well, that did it!!! My daughter got on him and showed me how she could flop around on him at the trot and he didnt react so I had a go. Heart in mouth and after a deep breath, I trotted - initially only about 6 strides and then on to about 15!!! That may not sound like a lot but it was huge to me. Once I had done that amount a few times - with my heart still thumping I decided to go back to a walk and make sure he was happy to do this for me and to finish on a good note. Cant wait till next weekend to have another go (if the weather is kind). pictures are uploading onto photobucket - wont be long!
