Arizahn
Well-Known Member
I got the all clear from the vet to ride Hippo yesterday. So today I decided to go for a short hack.
All was fine until I tried to get on. For some reason, I am now terrified of mounting! More precisely, I am terrified of mounting Hippo. I was fine getting onto a riding school pony for a refresher lesson yesterday. But today when I got onto the mounting block my legs just turned to jelly!
I eventually got on board, with the help of my OH and one of the riding centre grooms. Off we went. OH walked beside Hippo whilst I tried to remember how to breath, and then eventually let go my death grip on the saddle and actually ride properly! Managed to go for a 5 minute circuit around the centre. Tiny mad birds shooting out of hedges, tractors rumbling past, ambulances, etc...Hippo was fine. Not a problem. Actually started to relax and enjoy myself.
Mounting block came back into view. I started breaking out into a cold sweat at the sight of it! I have no idea why; I just totally panicked
Ended up having to get off before I could end up causing myself to fall off. Bear hugged Hippo for her patience and got her untacked, settled for the night, etc. We have access to a box as well as grazing now, which is nice since it means Hippo can be in if she needs to be. She's been in the past two nights due to the weather but staying out apart from that and loving it.
So apparently I am afraid of the mounting block!
All was fine until I tried to get on. For some reason, I am now terrified of mounting! More precisely, I am terrified of mounting Hippo. I was fine getting onto a riding school pony for a refresher lesson yesterday. But today when I got onto the mounting block my legs just turned to jelly!
I eventually got on board, with the help of my OH and one of the riding centre grooms. Off we went. OH walked beside Hippo whilst I tried to remember how to breath, and then eventually let go my death grip on the saddle and actually ride properly! Managed to go for a 5 minute circuit around the centre. Tiny mad birds shooting out of hedges, tractors rumbling past, ambulances, etc...Hippo was fine. Not a problem. Actually started to relax and enjoy myself.
Mounting block came back into view. I started breaking out into a cold sweat at the sight of it! I have no idea why; I just totally panicked
Ended up having to get off before I could end up causing myself to fall off. Bear hugged Hippo for her patience and got her untacked, settled for the night, etc. We have access to a box as well as grazing now, which is nice since it means Hippo can be in if she needs to be. She's been in the past two nights due to the weather but staying out apart from that and loving it.So apparently I am afraid of the mounting block!