Can't, Shan't, Won't....

[MizElz]

This used to be my nickname at Pony Club

Just wondering if there are any riding activities or exercises that you refuse, point blank, to do? When I was younger, my C-S-W fences were always ditches and water jumps - oh yes, and grid work, unless we were allowed our stirrups.
These days, I will do pretty much anything - LOL, except jump at all - although I refuse to ride without stirrups under observation or instruction. I've got to the point where I think, riding is for FUN, and if there is something that frightens me or makes me nervous, I think it is better off to evade it completely!

 

[Grumbledor]

With my instructor (who also bred Norm and has taught me for about 14 years so knows us very well) there is nothing I wouldn't at least try as she would't ask me to do anything we weren't capeable of. My can't - shants - won'ts only really relate to cross country as I'm a complete wimp and not done it for ages, but I will get him out to do a few mini xc fences and then as our confidence grows out can't - shant - won'ts should become fewer! We're never going to be eventers though as I'd rather do dressage!

 

[Demolition_Derby]

Dressage... for the benefit of my mental status!! I feel it causes both me and my horse unneccassary stress and tension. It also effects my liver as the only way to relieve that stress and tension is to drink..........

 

[Grumpy Herbert]

My can't, shan't, won'ts vary from day to day!!!

Some days I'm up for anything, others I'm a quivering wreck.

 

[BankEndRescue]

[ QUOTE ]
Dressage... for the benefit of my mental status!! I feel it causes both me and my horse unneccassary stress and tension. It also effects my liver as the only way to relieve that stress and tension is to drink..........

[/ QUOTE ]

PMSL...I'm with you all the way on that one

 

[The Original Kao]

at the moment i don't jump. i will do work without stirrups but not on anything bouncy

when i was younger at more confident the only thing i refused to do was jump the practise chase fences we had for the racehorses, i would do the hurdles no probs at speed, but those huge fences scared the crap outta me

 

[Daphnelia]

I won't ride a horse I know might kill me.
I think thats pretty reasonable

xxx

 

[Llanali]

My can't shan't won't varies. With my last mare, the only can't shan't won't I had was a particularly large (massive in my eyes LOL) drop at a particular XC course. I used to ride past it up the hill, turn around to canter downhill to it and think 'Urmmm no. Just no.'

 

[Irishcobs]

Riding dangerous horses, or those that buck big. I will refuse point blank to get on them. Every thing else I will have a go at.

 

[xspiralx]

Activity wise, there is nothing I won't try if somebody encourages me to do it. I'm not always 100% confident in my own ability by myself, but if an instructor or someone I trusts tells me to do it, I will.

 

[0]

Before fracturing back/leg etc., I'd pretty much have a go at anything.






Oh.........

 

[Angelbones]

Cantering / jumping down hill - no thanks! Horse hates water and open ditches so I just avoid them (which pleases me no end!)

Am doing my first xc comp tomorrow after at least 25 years off! I'm terrified... walked the course today and chickened out of the class I was entered in, and have entered the smaller one instead, and am doing it as a pair instead of individual (and to make it worse I'm completing against my 12 year old neice on a 13.2...) I feel such a wimp and can only hope that everyone who keeps telling me that I'll feel such a sense of achievement afterwards is proven to be right... I keep telling myself that I don't have to do it, that I didn't buy my horse to compete blah blah, but am going anyway - well if it's not raining in the morning!

God have mercy on my soul......

 

[BankEndRescue]

[ QUOTE ]
Cantering / jumping down hill - no thanks! Horse hates water and open ditches so I just avoid them (which pleases me no end!)

Am doing my first xc comp tomorrow after at least 25 years off! I'm terrified... walked the course today and chickened out of the class I was entered in, and have entered the smaller one instead, and am doing it as a pair instead of individual (and to make it worse I'm completing against my 12 year old neice on a 13.2...) I feel such a wimp and can only hope that everyone who keeps telling me that I'll feel such a sense of achievement afterwards is proven to be right... I keep telling myself that I don't have to do it, that I didn't buy my horse to compete blah blah, but am going anyway - well if it's not raining in the morning!

God have mercy on my soul......

[/ QUOTE ]

LOL...you'll be fine, just relax and enjoy yourself

 

[Hullabaloo]

That's really exciting - hope you have a great time. Nothing wrong with doing the smaller class for your first time in 25 years. Apparently its all about enjoying yourself. I'm doing a ODE this weekend, so have to keep reminding myself of that too! Have fun.

I won't jump something just because other people do - at my old yard, our jumping lessons turned into a chase me charlie every week and I was quite happy to bow out when I'd had enough. I'm sure people used to think I was a wimp because my horse is perfectly capable, but I'm past the age where I care what anyone thinks.

I also won't go out just to do dressage as I hate it, although I will reluctantly do it as part of a ODE as at least I can jump afterwards.