about horses

Question
Hi there,

I'v been riding for more than a year.. I think I'm doing good but sometimes I face problems with the horses.. I'm riding in a riding school which doesn't have a very good horses..

1- when I asked for a canter some horses doesn't respond even if I use the whip.. sometimes I think that there's misunderstanding between me and the horse, so what is the most understood commands that could make the horse get that I want him to go for a canter now? And if the horse canters or even trots with a wrong lead what is the best way to correct it?

2- if I'm dealing with a very stubborn horse which refuses to move unless I show him some violence (spurs, whip, kick, or using the reins in a strong way), and if this horse always BUCKS in a way that make me fall more than once, what is the best way to contact with this horse, in general I hate to be unkind with horses, is it possible to change this horse's bad habits by being good with him? And making him doing what I want if I asked in another way? Although I tried to do it but I got no result

3- what is the best position to avoid falling down when the horse buck? And when the horse raise his front legs high?

4- are Arabians harder to contact with than the other breeds?

5- how could I be completely physically fit for riding?

Thanks in advance,
sara


Answer
Well, you have certainly asked a lot of deep questions here!  But, a lot of your problem lies in your first statement - you're in a riding school that doesn't have very good horses.  I suspect that it's not a case of not good horses but not well maintained horses.  The problems you describe are most often associated with horses that are uncomfortable, physically.  Has it occured to you that the horse may not be physically capable of responding to your requests?  Horses generally like to please.  The things you say the horses do indicate to me that these are animals that are not comfortable.  There can be any number of reasons for this.  Poorly fitted tack and physical problems are 2 of the leading causes for these types of problems.  A horse that has either a shoulder or hip out will often find it almost impossible to canter under saddle.  Period.  

No, Arabs are not harder to "contact" with.  They can be somewhat high-strung and respond poorly to force.  That's why I said this points to physical problems with these horses.  

As far as getting physically fit - that's tough.  Jogging helps get your legs in shape.  Stretching exercises help build flexibility but there is no real substitute for the hours in the saddle.  

With the problems you are having I would suggest you may simply need to look for another place to ride.  I'm sure you are not in a position to do anything for the horses like getting the saddle fit evaluated, having them checked out by a vet for physical problems, chiropractic work done on them, etc.  I feel very sorry for the horses.  Many people make the same sort of mistakes you are making, mostly out of ignorance - that you can force the animal to do what you want regardless.  Bad approach.  If you ask the animal to do something, and you know that you have given the correct aids and the horse knows these aids, then there is more there than meets the eye.  

As far as position when getting dumped.  Tuck and roll.  Have your instructor teach you an emergency dismount.  If your instructor cannot teach you that, run, as fast as you can, away.  You have someone not qualified to teach.  

Good luck, sounds like you need it.