FestiveFuzz
Well-Known Member
Hello!
It's been quite a while since my last confidence update so I thought I'd write a quick post to update anyone who's wondering what's happened to us, and also maybe give hope to others who are suffering from confidence issues.
For those of you who missed the original post I took a 7yo on LWVTB during the summer and then discovered he was quite a lot greener than first thought. My confidence was already pretty low and I originally posted asking for a kick up the bum as after moving him to the new yard I'd made riding into such a big thing that I was scared to get on. So many people offered kind words and support, some even offered to come hack out with us. That weekend we began our ridden journey together and will remain grateful to each and ever person who offered their words of wisdom (and a special shout out to the wonderful _GG_)
Anyway it's been about 3 months since my initial confidence crisis and I can't believe how far we've come.
We had a few weeks off ridden work due to a sore back and saddle issues and although at the time I was worried sick about H and in tears every time he refused to do the recommended stretches or tried to kick me in the head when lunging it was the best thing that could ever have happened to us and I truly believe it cemented our relationship and in a funny way gave me a ton of confidence.
It transpired he'd only been lunged twice before I got him and so I was basically starting from scratch. There were moments when I worried I didn't have the knowledge to bring on a truly green horse (particularly when I started lunging him) but with the support of our amazing YO who kept reassuring me H was perfect for me, we soon hit our stride. It didn't hit me until I was lunging him last weekend how far we've come. He now does upward and downward transitions from voice alone and his canter has gone from wall of death to balanced on both reins. I really am so proud of him.
As soon as we were given the all clear to ride again I started hacking out with a lovely fellow livery who has let me take everything at my pace. This gave me the confidence to start hacking out alone, and now even H at his spookiest doesn't phase me. We've even agreed to do a pairs hunter trial in March!
Which brings me to today when we finally had our first canter out hacking. He was absolutely perfect and happily went back to a trot whilst the others cantered on when we had to pass a fallen tree and then waited until he was asked to return to canter.
I find it hard to believe there was ever a time when I doubted whether keeping H was the right thing to do and am so so glad that those around me both IRL and on here told me to persevere.
We've still got a long way to go, and there's still times when I feel my nerves are getting the better of me but I now know that we're a team and the only way for us is up
And here's a pic of the handsome chap doing his best dog impression in Indie's old cooler rug (he has a blue one of his own now)
It's been quite a while since my last confidence update so I thought I'd write a quick post to update anyone who's wondering what's happened to us, and also maybe give hope to others who are suffering from confidence issues.
For those of you who missed the original post I took a 7yo on LWVTB during the summer and then discovered he was quite a lot greener than first thought. My confidence was already pretty low and I originally posted asking for a kick up the bum as after moving him to the new yard I'd made riding into such a big thing that I was scared to get on. So many people offered kind words and support, some even offered to come hack out with us. That weekend we began our ridden journey together and will remain grateful to each and ever person who offered their words of wisdom (and a special shout out to the wonderful _GG_)
Anyway it's been about 3 months since my initial confidence crisis and I can't believe how far we've come.
We had a few weeks off ridden work due to a sore back and saddle issues and although at the time I was worried sick about H and in tears every time he refused to do the recommended stretches or tried to kick me in the head when lunging it was the best thing that could ever have happened to us and I truly believe it cemented our relationship and in a funny way gave me a ton of confidence.
It transpired he'd only been lunged twice before I got him and so I was basically starting from scratch. There were moments when I worried I didn't have the knowledge to bring on a truly green horse (particularly when I started lunging him) but with the support of our amazing YO who kept reassuring me H was perfect for me, we soon hit our stride. It didn't hit me until I was lunging him last weekend how far we've come. He now does upward and downward transitions from voice alone and his canter has gone from wall of death to balanced on both reins. I really am so proud of him.
As soon as we were given the all clear to ride again I started hacking out with a lovely fellow livery who has let me take everything at my pace. This gave me the confidence to start hacking out alone, and now even H at his spookiest doesn't phase me. We've even agreed to do a pairs hunter trial in March!
Which brings me to today when we finally had our first canter out hacking. He was absolutely perfect and happily went back to a trot whilst the others cantered on when we had to pass a fallen tree and then waited until he was asked to return to canter.
I find it hard to believe there was ever a time when I doubted whether keeping H was the right thing to do and am so so glad that those around me both IRL and on here told me to persevere.
We've still got a long way to go, and there's still times when I feel my nerves are getting the better of me but I now know that we're a team and the only way for us is up
And here's a pic of the handsome chap doing his best dog impression in Indie's old cooler rug (he has a blue one of his own now)
