At 06:32:03 on 17.03.11, TwilightTango wrote:
My intructer wont let me fully start saddle riding until I'm able to overcome a exercise I fear known as "A-Round-The-World" where while sitting on the horse you are suppose to turn in a full circle in 4steps. Ive fallen a good amount of times doing this and it bothers me that I have to keep doing it. The worst part is I know after I master it at the walk she'll soon want me to do it at a trot and so on ):

At 08:22:22 on 17.03.11, Part Arab wrote:
I don't know if I could do around the world bareback at a walk. I don't think I have ever tried. There are some riders on this site that have probably done it bareback and blind folded at a gallop (blindhorsedancer and kibby come to mind) but these people are experienced and skilled which didn't happen in 10 months of riding. :) If you have fallen "a good amount of times" while attempting this then no wonder you fear it! I would suggest you try to master it at a standstill while your instructor or another horse savvy person holds your horse on the ground. Is this something you feel you could suggest and would be willing to try?

At 08:46:56 on 17.03.11, Em28 wrote:
Well have to say Ive never heard of that one before. Infact, I should imagine doing this in 4 steps would be quite uncomfortable for the poor horse bareback, unless you are nimble. I should think it's wise to start with the saddle, then progress to no stirrups/saddle once you are a little more used to riding and have a feel for it to help develop your balance and seat. Are there any other instructors you could use? Seems odd an instructor, whom you pay to teach you riding would want to put you off so quickly.

At 10:28:26 on 17.03.11, TwilightTango wrote:
Dont get me wrong here, I love my intruter she's really nice and everything I've done with her has really helped my riding. I actually prefer bareback riding, I love it. Im just uncomfterable doing the exercise.

At 18:48:32 on 17.03.11, TwilightTango wrote:
Please let me reword this I was brain dead and tired when I posted this; I just need advice on how to get over my fear of it, like any tips on how to calm myself while doing it? I love my intructer shes amazing and nice and helpful, and to adress Em28, it does not hurt the horse we would know if it did- I ride on a private farm with only 7horses that have been there for years.

At 22:38:58 on 17.03.11, JessAndGrenville123 wrote:
I loved around the world and 'scissors' when i was learning! It was great i think i will be doing it on gren more often and around the world is a confidence building exercise so why not sit in all the different stages of around the world and ride for a bit like that to get your balance before putting it all together? Good luck :)

At 05:46:39 on 18.03.11, Part Arab wrote:
What JessAndGenville123 said :? lol that's some good advice :)

At 08:07:00 on 18.03.11, Em28 wrote:
Oh ok misinterpreted what you were saying! Ha ha can see Jess's point! The exercise is to help you with your balance and confidence and build trust between you and your horse. All these things will improve over time. How often do you ride? If you only ride once a week you could always try other things to help improve your balance, such as Yoga, Pilates, ballet, trampoline, gym ball exercises in your house or even a console like using a wii fit balance board. A lot of beginners do fall off when first trying this, have you mastered it at halt so you don't fall off? If not go back to doing it when the horse isn't moving to increase your balance and confidence. Also, maybe try singing to relax you. Another thing you could try and I have always found helps me focus on what I am doing is to close your eyes. Try this at halt first! Good luck keep us posted on how you get on!

At 08:47:53 on 18.03.11, TwilightTango wrote:
Okay :3 But I dont nessaryly trust the horse I ride, the horse I trust more then anyother there is the one that I'm only allowed to ride at barn lessons, Which is the one I named my username after took me all summer to earn her trust and only rode her once(which was very hard XD)

At 09:32:40 on 18.03.11, kibby wrote:
Part Arab, are saying I'm crazy?? haha but I would say practicing at a standstill till you can do it confidently.. You have to slowly work you way up.. Part Arab is right, we all started being led, then slowly working our way up from geriatric ponies to trainers and breakers.. We were doing around the world at pony club we made it fun for the little kids by having an around the work championships.. the winner i bought lollies for.. but maybe if you had a friend you could try race it would make it more fun then scary..