confidence crisis feel like a right idiot

ClobellsandBaubles

ClobellsandBaubles

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Well have been exercising peoples horses for the past year or so and have managed to develop quite a good rep i think as a lady asked me to exercise her 6yo clydie i was told he was fab to hack on his own but had done very little in the school and needed bringing on a wee bit so i thought fine i can handle that.

I went to try him out and we went on a hack and he was fine a few lil babyish spooks but nothing major, saw someone else hack him in company and he was fine so i started riding him. We did a wee bit in the school and out hacking on his own once or twice and he was grand a lot greener than i had been told as flinches every time your leg on and doesn't really have much idea about trotting or stopping. Took him out one day and he just took off for no reason i can really think off and really threw his weight around not like anything i've ever experienced before. I calmed him down and carried on our little walk went back and did a few circuits of the school and he seemed back to normal again. However now i am a total wreck every time i try and ride him and i'm sure i am making it worse as he now seems to jump at everything and everything feels like hes going to take off again. Doesn't help that i've hurt my back (unrelated) and i think i tense up to save it from hurting/ being damaged. I've tried taking it right back to basics lunging, long reining going out in company with his owner walking beside but it scares the living daylights out of me. I feel really stupid because i've ridden young horses/problem horses before and know what i should be doing etc. but i only have time to go up 2/3 times a week as per original arrangement and what i think he really needs is consistent 1-1 confident work which i don't feel up to at all right now.

I have told his owner this and she totally understands and it turns out that he actually has a habit of tanking off unexpectedly ever since he came back from being backed but she would like me to carry on working him until they decide what to do as its her daughters horse really. shes a lovely lady and willing to do anything to get him going sweetly but IMHO i think its just me. He's such a sweet boy on the ground and long reins like a pro but totally unconfident under saddle and i don't want to make things worse.

Sorry this is such a long self pitying post just needed to get it off my chest as have been trying to pull myself together and get on with it and not admitting i'm freaking terrified *sigh* and it was all going so well :(

Port and lemon and lasagne to all those who get to the bottom
 
Dont put yourself down! you gave this horse a go-and you have admitted you havent got the 1-1 time he needs and you also question your ability to ride him through any wobbles he may have.
Its better to admit he might not be your type of horse to work with now than go any further and knock your confidence any more?:o
its a shame the owner sent him off in first place as the running away situation could get a lot worse before it gets better. And bolters need very careful riding.
can i have garlic bread with my lasagne?;)
 
I`m surprised you say shes a lovely lady! I would be so angry if this was a trait he had shown before, and she didnt tell you in advance. Why risk your neck for someone who doesnt care about your safety?
 
I don't think you should be feeling like an idiot, but I really don't think that you should carry on riding this horse as it will knock your confidence and it won't do much for the horse either.

No harm in doing groundwork though.
 
As I've said on this forum before, please remember that you ride for pleasure! If you're not enjoying this horse there are plenty more out there and as he's not even yours, you don't have to persevere and hope he comes right, especially if he is dangerous. Personally I agree that the owner should have been honest with you - it's a safety issue.
 
sprite1978 said:
I`m surprised you say shes a lovely lady! I would be so angry if this was a trait he had shown before, and she didnt tell you in advance. Why risk your neck for someone who doesnt care about your safety?
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That's what I think too. If she'd been honest with you from the start then fair enough. Had she not known about this behaviour fair enough. But to be aware of it and not think to mention it to you, that's not on.
 
Don't get me wrong i am a little confused but she has been very kind and accommodating and was genuinely surprised when he started playing up as she had been told it was something he would grow out of and as we got on so well riding to start with she must have thought it was fine but we've had a good chat about it and she quite upset she sent away a quiet, confident, dope on a rope type to be backed and came back with this problem.
i'm going to carry on the ground work and get a few lessons to get my confident back when i get a summer job and see what happens
 
Millyard Rejects said:
Dont put yourself down! you gave this horse a go-and you have admitted you havent got the 1-1 time he needs and you also question your ability to ride him through any wobbles he may have.
Its better to admit he might not be your type of horse to work with now than go any further and knock your confidence any more?:o
its a shame the owner sent him off in first place as the running away situation could get a lot worse before it gets better. And bolters need very careful riding.
can i have garlic bread with my lasagne?;)
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Thanks for being so nice guy sorry only have green leafy salad, health kick im afraid
 
Tried to reply early the morning, but site disappeared.
1) Get your back sorted out first, go see Ostopath, mine worked wonders on my back
2)Sounds like the youngster, was rushed when backed so needs restarting properly and sympatheticly
3) If your back is sore and your are tensing up it goes through the reins and now doubt making him tesnse as well, also get his backed checked
4) We all have a wobble in our confidence during our riding years, I wouldn't worry too much.:):):):)
 
Echo Bravo said:
Tried to reply early the morning, but site disappeared.
1) Get your back sorted out first, go see Ostopath, mine worked wonders on my back
2)Sounds like the youngster, was rushed when backed so needs restarting properly and sympatheticly
3) If your back is sore and your are tensing up it goes through the reins and now doubt making him tesnse as well, also get his backed checked
4) We all have a wobble in our confidence during our riding years, I wouldn't worry too much.:):):):)
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sorry to drag this up again but thanks for all your help just thought i should update with the latest

I totally agree that he needs restarting very sympathetically as he just gives the impression he has no idea what you want from him and is very worried, although i've ridden youngsters before i've no experience backing or restarting. Anyway local instructor has been asked and suggested he needed a stronger bit and *doing demonstration* hauling up in front and booting to bring him up in front (this is to fix the fact he is built quite downhill and has a low natural head carriage and has no where near built up the fitness or the training to carry himself properly on the horse that trys to take off when you put your leg on half heartedly atm *breathe*) that made me quite upset as i can just imagine what could possibly happen and i'm not sure i'm prepared to ride him like that (visions of charging through fences) and i defy anyone to 'hold' a scared and bolshy clydesdale.

In conclusion i a erring on the side of walking away and blaming it on physio (banned from riding or something) :( but still quite upset
 
sprite1978 said:
I`m surprised you say shes a lovely lady! I would be so angry if this was a trait he had shown before, and she didnt tell you in advance. Why risk your neck for someone who doesnt care about your safety?
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My thoughts exactly
I dont mind sitting on and helping folks out with their horses, but to hell with being their test pilot unless you know thats what youre there for.:eek:
To me you should have been made aware he tanks off like that to keep you and the horse safe. Bad patter as far as im concerned:(
 
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