Any suggestions on feeling comfortable enough to trot and lope with out feeling i'm gonna hit the ground? I've fallen off a few times from other horses actions that now i'm gun shy bout my self. I've a great horse that lopes and trots fine for others and i know he would for me..... I just feel like if i do.... off i'll go! I have vertigo and sometimes it acts up. Probably why i'm a little nervous. My balance sucks. Any help would be appreciated!!!

I would make sure that someone is always with you and you where a helmet and that when you start trotting and loping do it in arena or round pen. If you ride western, don't be afraid to use the saddle horn to hold onto. The big thing is you got to relax. Just take your time do a fast walk and then ask for one or two strides in a trot then drop back to a walk. Just keep increasing the time you trot as you feel comfortable. Also if the horn of the saddle is hard for you to hang onto then you can always put a nightlatch strap to hang onto. This is a leather strap that runs around the pommel of the saddle, it is a little easier to hang onto than the horn. Hope this helps.

THANK YOU!!!! i'll try that!! especially relaxing. I know i need to. my horse is a very laid back boy. I DO SO appreciate your advice!!! it means alot!!!

Glad you could use the advice, there are days I should take my own. he he

I have several issues which make loping/jogging a test of my wimpyness. I won't bore you with the details, but I do understand that freaky falling sensation. To help me combat my "fear" as well as to re-learn balance, I had a friend of mine come over and we use a lunge line to help me feel safe at the faster gaits. So far it has worked like a charm and the vertigo has started to lift as I am more confident in my seat. We ride 3x per week on the lunge and will continue to do so for another month or so, assuming the weather holds, then I will progress to trots/canter round the arena with plenty of transitions in between until I am comfortable. Can't guarantee this will work for you, but it did for me.

Hi Tigger,

What P8nt and SE said. And try to keep your head and eyes up, looking way ahead at where you're going instead at down at his ears. Should help with balance.

Try standing a little in your stirrups, with your upper body inclined a little forward. This is an english two point position, and can be done in a western saddle too, just be careful of the horn. If you are riding western, you can put your hand on the horn to help you balance at first. Find the place where your feet are under you and you can stand comfortably, and use your legs like rubber shock absorbers. This is a very stable position, and lets you get off your horse's back so you won't feel like you are bouncing off. Also check out the post on riding the sitting trot on www.horsetrainingquestions.com.

Tigger,

Been there, Done that!

I suggest that you think of your seat like a beach ball. If it is tight (blown up) it bounces. If it is loose (not so much air) it won't. By relaxing in the saddle you will not bounce and your balance should improve. Try tightening your muscles at the walk and feel the movement of your horse under you. Then do the same with muscles relaxed. You should be able to feel the difference. By doing this over and over at the walk you will learn how to relax the muscles at will and feel when they are tense.

Eventually you need to learn to hold on with your knees ONLY and relax everything else... but that can probably wait until you feel more secure.

Can other people get your horse to do a smooth jog rather than a trot? Learning to balance at a jog will help you gain confidence for bumpier gaits.

Hope this helps.