Brief (Sunny!) Lesson Report

[SaddlePsych'D]

Booked myself a morning off work and decided to use it to go riding (of course!) and had my RS lesson early this week.

Last week I asked for 'things to work on balance' so we did no stirrups stuff. This week we did lots of light seat and jumping position and well, HELLOOOOO calf muscles! Felt a bit like a beginner again - find and keep balance, figure out how to use legs, steer!

Back on an old favourite pony today, lovely S who I got on so well with last year. Unfortunately last time I rode her just before lockdown I was really low in confidence to the point that I cried when asked if I wanted to canter (I did still canter, just while crying a bit ) It wasn't her fault but things were starting to come apart with my confidence on share horse at that point and it had a knock-on effect.

As it has been a while since I rode S we didn't feel so 'together'. Had a bit of a wobble in the canter work - she has a lovely canter and was so good but I think I worried (unnecessarily) that she was going to shoot off. Really pleased with myself for not giving up all together though. We cantered the circle over the pole as planned and did a couple of extra bits without the pole to over-ride the nerves and remind me that I can still ride even if I feel worried! Also pleased that I'm remembering to talk to stop me holding my breath so I count (supposedly the strides but for all I know I'm just saying random numbers and sometimes I do just say out loud "I am saying random stuff so that I keep breathing!")

I think a big thing for me needs to be shifting mindset that feeling nervous=it went badly and try to get in mindset of sometimes I get nervous but how am going to deal with it in the moment to get through instead of panicking and giving up. Hopefully I can ride S again next week and will be a bit more in tune with her again and bring my forward thinking mind back.

 

[milliepops]

sounds great

At one point during the first lockdown one of my horses went a bit nutty on the spring grass and not being able to go for lessons meant I had to find ways of reining in my brain to stop it from going walkies and imagining all kinds of disasters. I would pick a random number and count backwards in 3s it meant my body had to do the riding bit by itself as my brain was busy and therefore couldn't interfere sometimes a simple thing like that can use up the mental energy that is being busy telling you you are nervous. plus, again, saying things out loud keeps the breathing process going, always helpful.

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

Mind walkies is definitely the term! My brain gets busy visualising scary things which is so unhelpful. Since being back at the RS my instructor has commented that I talk a lot more now (to her and to the horse) and I think this is a good sign that I'm not getting all stuck in my head. It happened a bit today but the counting did help. Your way sounds good as needs more attention than just counting alone.

 

[smolmaus]

Another lovely write up! I think your self analysis is really impressive.

I do chat away to the ponies as well but in canter there is still sometimes the body deciding it has too much other stuff to deal with to bother with oxygen. Great instincts there subconscious, thanks ? Counting strides without poles is a good tip! I don't know if I could reliably count backwards in threes while just walking myself so will start with the easy one!

 

[SEL]

I have been known to start singing bottles on a wall - starting at 100!! Our arena backs onto gardens so heaven knows what the residents think

Sounds like a good lesson. I had a massive confidence knock in canter before my mare was diagnosed with her suspensory and SI issues - she started to throw in huge bucks and although I was sitting them it wasn't enjoyable. I had lessons down at Mary Wanless's centre on their school horses and whilst I was fine on a cheeky welshie in canter, as soon as I got on a horse the size of my mare the nerves kicked in and it took a while to work through it. Very patient instructor with a 'no nonsense, of course you can do it' attitude worked wonders. Its funny how your stomach ties itself in knots at times even though you know its a sensible horse who wouldn't dream of bucking.

 

[Rumtytum]

You know how much I enjoy your updates! Can you request to ride S when you book your lesson? And is it possible for you to groom her afterwards (if you have time ?). I’ve ridden lots of horses at my RS, some for months, and always come back to ‘my’ boy. We’ve got to know each other well and are in tune, probably because we spend out-of-saddle time together. It’s really helped to build my confidence!
Am looking forward already to your next update ?.

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

Another lovely write up! I think your self analysis is really impressive.

I do chat away to the ponies as well but in canter there is still sometimes the body deciding it has too much other stuff to deal with to bother with oxygen. Great instincts there subconscious, thanks ? Counting strides without poles is a good tip! I don't know if I could reliably count backwards in threes while just walking myself so will start with the easy one!

Indeed, like 'thanks brain...breathing isn't too important...sure...!' Honestly today I think I probably said something like "1, 2, 3, 45, 83, 4, 8, 12..." so adding a bit of mental arithmetic will be interesting.

I have been known to start singing bottles on a wall - starting at 100!! Our arena backs onto gardens so heaven knows what the residents think

Sounds like a good lesson. I had a massive confidence knock in canter before my mare was diagnosed with her suspensory and SI issues - she started to throw in huge bucks and although I was sitting them it wasn't enjoyable. I had lessons down at Mary Wanless's centre on their school horses and whilst I was fine on a cheeky welshie in canter, as soon as I got on a horse the size of my mare the nerves kicked in and it took a while to work through it. Very patient instructor with a 'no nonsense, of course you can do it' attitude worked wonders. Its funny how your stomach ties itself in knots at times even though you know its a sensible horse who wouldn't dream of bucking.

Yes I think our bodies remember really subtle things and it's working through it to 're-programme' them in a way. I had a 'thing' about right canter circles as I fell off doing this a few months ago, wasn't hurt apart from a big thigh bruise but I think it was the sudden/unexpected shock of it that got my brain and body going 'nope!'. Seem to have got past that now. So great that you got through it with the lessons!

You know how much I enjoy your updates! Can you request to ride S when you book your lesson? And is it possible for you to groom her afterwards (if you have time ?). I’ve ridden lots of horses at my RS, some for months, and always come back to ‘my’ boy. We’ve got to know each other well and are in tune, probably because we spend out-of-saddle time together. It’s really helped to build my confidence!
Am looking forward already to your next update ?.

Yes I can ask for S next time. My instructor tries to keep me on the same horse for at least a few lessons in a row which is great as then you see the progression each week and builds the confidence. S was definitely my favourite last summer so I feel hopeful next time will feel a better I actually got there a bit early today so gave her a nice brush and tacked up. Ended up wearing half of her from all the loose hair!

 

[Wishfilly]

It sounds like you are doing really well- the confidence will come, given time!

 

[Jeni the dragon]

Glad things are going in the right direction!

I used to sing when having hacking nerves! Not sure Thena enjoyed it particularly!

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

Glad things are going in the right direction!

I used to sing when having hacking nerves! Not sure Thena enjoyed it particularly!

Haha yes poor share horse used to get 'treated' to my singing on hacks too! As did passing cyclists when I hadn't heard them approaching from behind