Got a Lesson this Weekend

please don't yell at me! My instructor told me to letpaddy gator run because we were on a trail ride goin up hill! She told me" ok now when we go up this hill, let him go." I asked her why because I had never gone faster than a trot before! Her reply was only, "you'll see!" and paddy gator galloped! She told me I was a natural because I didnt fall off! Im still new to riding! The reason why she is giving me these lessons is that I help take care of her horses! She can't afford to pay for people to help her around the farm so my parents volenteered me in exchange to learn how to ride! Im not trying to show off! Ms marylin (my ridin teacher) told me to subscribe to this site so that I may learn more so please don't harp on me! Im not yelling at any of you so please don't yell at me

I'm not yelling at you but obviously there are some gaps in your knowledge, like 1. You shouldn't be riding a mini 2. Stallions are not for first time horse owners 3. Beginners shouldn't be galloping up hills.

I understand not everyone needs dressage lessons from a grand prix level dressage rider. Someone who can teach you basics skills. Currently you should be learning about balance, not yanking on your horses mouth and basic position. Galloping up a hill is not an appropriate thing to teach a dead beginner. I don't think your trainer has yours or your horses best interest in mind.

There is a lot more to riding then just staying on. And staying on does make you a "natural".
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Yes, that many falls suck! But it really gave me an eye opener that I need to fix my position if I ever want to get better. I rode in my rope halter afterwards and I realized the reason I felt so secure that way was because I -was- bracing against the reigns! Bad me, bad!
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well another thing about my mini horses, there bigger than normal mini horses! I thot they were ponies wen I got them but they r registerred mini horses! Sometimes I second guess but maybe ya can tell me if I show ya what they look like?

I wanted to post a reply to Lady Mustang, but instead I'm suggesting LM that you start a new thread all of your own

The are plenty of people on this forum who will give you tons and tons of good advice. Don't take it to heart if you are given some criticism too, people are only trying to look out for the welfare of riders and horses.

One thing I've read to open up your shoulders and chest is, at a halt while mounted, allow your head to drop back. This will naturally open your shoulders, so whenever you get that hunched forward feeling, come back to a halt and do this exercise so you can get that feeling of openness. I would only suggest doing this on a horse you trust to stand still, or with someone holding your horse.