Comments on: Rider Insider: Learn from My Mistake

By: Zoë

Zoë — Sun, 09 Mar 2014 15:17:26 +0000

At the barn where I rider there is this one gelding who seems to hate moving any faster than a slug. For years I’ve been nervous and wimpy when riding him, especially when we jump. But then, just a few weeks ago, I resolved to be the boss. That lesson was amazing and I realized that he was an awesome horse, and that the only problem between us had been me. Now he’s one of my favorite horses, and I have much more confidenence around lazier horses.

By: Kate

Kate — Mon, 17 Feb 2014 17:57:28 +0000

My biggest mistake was letting my guard down; i assumed i knew what i was doing and that i could relax. I know there is always more to learn about ridingvand that i don’t know it all but I let myself relax and payed for it with a broken stall door, numerous cuts, and a very angry trainer. I thought my horse was calm but i now know that when i have my thoughts somewhere else, that is the perfect chance for a naughty horse to play his tricks! And this goes for all aspects for riding; attention sways and bam, you’re in the dirt. I dont think i have ever been more focused in my riding and ground work!

By: Clare

Clare — Sun, 16 Feb 2014 06:07:47 +0000

I have definitely made a bunch of mistakes, but the biggest one would have to be leaving my passion for another sport. I then realised that my heart would truly always be wherever a horse was. I had given up on my dream. I have all of those lost years to make up for now!

By: Leila

Leila — Thu, 13 Feb 2014 04:42:31 +0000

My biggest mistake would be not keeping my cool before dressage. I event and I am always super nervous before the dressage phase. At my last show I finally realized that I needed to trust my horse and that there was no reason to be nervous. My horse has gone through training level and I was only competing at beginner novice. I went into the ring totally calm that day and everything went beautifully. I scored in the high 20s and came home from the event with a blue ribbon!

By: Destiny

Destiny — Sun, 09 Feb 2014 18:46:20 +0000

I realized quickly that it’s okay to get frustrated but you can’t for long. I learned that sometimes when things are going wrong, take it slow. My instructor makes me earn time in the saddle but working with the Horse on the ground. What I didn’t know was that horses like it slow. I used to ride at a barn were everything was quick. Now at this new barn, horses and people take it easy. My instructor isn’t as picky about time and feels that it’s more important to have an understanding. Take a breath and earn the horse’s trust.

By: Callie

Callie — Thu, 06 Feb 2014 21:24:52 +0000

I been riding most whole life. When I got older someone told me, “the only way you can make it in this business is by having money.” At that point I wanted to quit. I grew up with little money and having to work off lessons. My trainer told me that you can either buy your way to the top or work your way to the top. I am growing as a rider and can’t wait to continue to work and work/earn my way up.

By: Catie

Catie — Mon, 03 Feb 2014 11:48:05 +0000

Just because someone says that the hay they’re selling is horse-quality doesn’t mean that it is. I found an ad on craigslist for hay that was $2.50 a bale, and planned on getting about 40 bales. I drove 45 minutes to get to the farm selling it, and was very disappointed. Most of the bales were yellow, dusty, and moldy. I didn’t want to go home empty handed, and would have felt bad for the man selling it, so I bought a few bales to make it worth the effort. I brought the bales home, hoping that they weren’t too bad to use, but when I opened one bale, I found it was full of weeds and even a few poisonous plants! So, I now have $50 worth of fertilizer for my garden….

By: Noelle

Noelle — Sun, 02 Feb 2014 12:25:31 +0000

The biggest mistake I ever made was getting frustrated with my horse and letting him know! I was angry at a person at the barn and I realized that my horse couldn’t handle me being rough with him because of my issues. Now I have made a rule for when I ride- if I am frustrated with someone or something, I will not ride that day. Instead, I will spend quality time with my horse and calm myself down. Owning a horse has made me a better person. My horse is always so patient with me!

By: Chloe

Chloe — Tue, 28 Jan 2014 14:17:11 +0000

I learn from my mistakes just in daily lessons. When I am in a lesson learning something new can take me a few minutes to grasp, but by the end of the lesson I have always learned something new and helpful to help me along in my life and with my horse!

By: Ashton

Ashton — Mon, 20 Jan 2014 07:06:28 +0000

I lost my temper with my horse one day while we were trail riding. He refused to stand still when I asked him to stop, and the behavior was getting out of control. I asked him to do circles to try to regain control, but I “asked” more and more aggressively until we were involved in a silent shouting match. He jigged over to a tree, used a low hanging branch to knock me out of the saddle, and then sped off for home. As I cooled off on my twenty minute walk to the stable, I realized that a partnership is a process. Now, when we have a bad day, I keep my temper, and praise him for what he did right – even if that means walking a circle on a longe line!