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Expert: Dorothy Morris-Robinson - 11/4/2009


Question
Hi  I have been riding horses for about 8 years in England, until 1 year ago I had a bad fall and I was dragged by the horse, i lost my confidents and stoped riding. A year later I’m in Australia working with animals around the country. I stared to miss horse riding so i decided to lease a horse from a riding stable. The horse that they paired me up with is a lovely mare, everyone around the stable tells me how jealous they are, and how she’s one of the best horses there. When i rode her she was nice and forward but she keep on pulling on the rains and jerking her head, so i gave her more rains but then she would try an canter off, so I gaverd the rains back up to bring her back into a walk (as i wasn’t confident enough to let her canter while she’s in control), this carried on for the whole ride, in the end my hands were badly blistered from playing tug of war. The riding centre is offering me another quieter horse to lease, but i want to improve my riding and if she is one of the best horses there would it be better if i kept her? Can you please tell me what I’m doing wrong so riding can be a pleasurable experience for both of us.  Thanks charlotte

Answer
Hello Charlotte,

The best horses are not always the right horses for everyone.  The more a horse is trained...the better it is trained...the better rider it needs.  It is altogether possible that you are giving aids, not meaning to, that confuse her.  When a horse is confused the natural reaction is to speed up...to canter.  Pulling on the reins until you get blisters is the exact opposite of what you should do, and if you were being instructed during that time, the instructor was remiss in not bringing you to a halt. If you were riding on your own, then you do need a quieter horse to lease until your skill makes you earn a higher level horse.  

Time in the saddle means little unless the time has been spent in excellent instruction. You need to learn a better balanced seat, the use of the half-halt, how to use the circle to control the horse, where to put your legs, etc.  So I would suggest that you lease the quieter horse and take lessons until you can ride the better horse. What you need is a quiet school horse.

I had a horse that I had trained to 3rd level dressage and it was difficult for me to find a buyer because none of the local riders could ride him.  He was the best horse, but I could only find one rider who did not make him angry.

I hope I have helped somewhat and keep riding!
Best wishes,
Dorothy

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Dorothy Morris-Robinson

Expertise

My expertise is in training and rehabilitating horses, and training riders for combined training for over 40 years, in Virginia and California. This includes dressage, cross country obstacles and show jumping. In my many years of experience and endless study of Classical theory, and my hands-on retraining horses,I have accummulated much knowledge of the different personalities of horses and how to approach their rehabilitation. At my age, I do not ride as much as I used to, but I don't see why I have to waste the experience I have. Therefore, I continue to find horses to rehabilitate and then to find homes and riders for them, when they are ready to go on. I give each horse a thorough foundation in classical ground work. They are taught stable manners, lunging, word commands, rhythm. I currently work at my ranch in Kennewick, WA. I can answer certain questions about starting young horses in English riding: dressage, jumping, cross country obstacles and basic equitation. I can help with rehabilitation of spoiled or difficult horses; however, many problems require sustained riding instruction/training and I cannot do this online. Some issues need to be observed to come to a correct diagnosis. If your problem is of this type, please find a qualified instructor/trainer. I cannot give riding lessons via email.

Experience

Experience in the area: Over 40 years of English riding experience, including Fox Hunting in Virginia where I earned my colors with the Blue Ridge Hunt, training young horses for hunting and/or eventing. Coached a rider from her beginning at Training Level Combined tests through her competition at two Junior International competition Three Day Events. She rode my horse that I also started and trained her to ride. This combination competed in the World Championship Three Day in Lexington, KY in 1978. I trained another horse (TB) through 3rd Level Dressage and jumping. He eventually competed at Advanced level Three Day. I have reschooled several horses with difficulties ranging from running away to running backward, to not allowing a bridle to be put on, to kicking out at the farrier, being "too much on the muscle over jumps", barn sour, etc

Organizations
National Society Daughters of the Revolution (DAR)

Publications
Four novels (I am also a novelist)

Education/Credentials
Some college. Endless study of Classical Theory and training methods.

Awards and Honors
Who's Who of American Women, Who'w Who in America, Past Board of Directors FDIC-NACM

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