FINALLY! The video to the "bummed out" thread

[centrestableswendy]

I think I did this right, but who knows! Please remember, I have a balance problem due to a brain injury from a car accident. This is also the first time I've ridden outside in over 7 years, and I have a cast on my arm. I do want advice, but please be gentle! Thanks guys!

DSCN1190.flv video by wdc1980 - Photobucket

[morganshow11]

This is what i see:
I know you have a cast on, but you are bumping the horses mouth an awful lot, just keep you arms and hands stiff.

for posting trot you should have the irons shorter.

[centrestableswendy]

Thank you morganshow. After watching the video my stirrups went up a hole, lol. I'm working on the quiet hands. I start to feel off balance and my hand automatically come up.

[morganshow11]

Yeah, somtimes if my horse does his roadster trot i get of balance and my hands go up too. But that si like sooo good for not riding in a while:)))

[centrestableswendy]

Wow. Thank you so much! I was starting to think I wasn't making any progress. You just made my day

[morganshow11]

lol, you're very welcome:)

[centrestableswendy]

Bump.....really hoping to get some feedback(good and not so good), so I can focus on what I'm doing right and not just what I'm doing wrong. Thank you in advance!

[smrobs]

You look like you are doing very well. Is that your horse or just one that you lease? If you have the opportunity, you may try to find a horse to ride that travels a little slower. More like a english or western pleasure horse with slower gaits that are flatter and smoother. That is if you have the opportunity. You are doing great, keep up the good work. :)

[Flyinghigh12]

I think you're doing pretty good, just let those arms come down and move with the horse not against. Try to keep them with the same movement as the withers. You're feet seem to bounce around a bit, but its pretty good because that'll come with more strength. Just relax you're hips and thighs and you're legs shouldn't move so much.
I think you're doing better then I am, and I've been riding for like 7 years lol.
Once you move you're hands with the horse practice getting the horse to collect and that should help too, just remember not to use you're reins as a way to balance.

Overall i think you're doing great! Good luck and hang in there! You've been through alot and don't worry about age cause you could end up moving fast now. Just look for ways to keep learning.

[Skippy!]

Im always more observant of the horse rather than the rider, and something that stuck out to me like a sore thumb was how he wasn't stepping into his trot. Usually when a horse trots, the back hoof fits in the hoofprint that the front hoof made. His back end isnt engaged, meaning he isnt moving into his full stride. He is also strung out, which'll make the strides less efficient =)

Anyways, thats my two bits =) You're braver than me, if i had a cast i dont think id ride! Kudos! And its awesome that you're back in the saddle after all that bad experience you had with the car. All in all, after that long of a gap in riding, i think you're doing very well =)

As someone else suggested, it may be easier on your body if you rode a gaited horse =) Out here, when people hit the 65 year mark they trade in their trotters for walkers, lol!

Again, i admire ya for getting back in the saddle!