Confidence draining

Sarah W

Sarah W

Well-Known Member
Joined
31 August 2010
Messages
309
Location
Tomar, Portugal
Visit site
Hi all.

I've had my first horse for 3 weeks this coming Monday. He's at a lovely, full livery yard and doing well - apart from a couple of minor health problems (he is 25!) - but I'm getting worse around him and need some advice :(

The YO came out with me for a couple of short hacks around the area and he was fine so I plucked up courage and went out on my own last Tuesday. He tried it on a couple of times (in a very minor way but enough to un-nerve me) but, after a little persuasion, he did as he was told however the following day I was really nervous for some reason and when he planted and then went backwards I gave in (stupidly) and went home. On Thursday I just rode him around the school but could tell he was bored and disinterested so only rode for 10 mins. How do I get some confidence to share with him so we can both enjoy ourselves??
 
I would say don't hack on your own until you're more confident. I got a new horse on Sunday and would describe myself as pretty confident but it'll be a god few weeks before I try and hack him alone. If you haven't got horses to hack with can someone come with you on foot?
 
Have a look at my thread on here - Diary of a first time horse owner - I've gone through very similar to you (though I haven't hacked out on him even in company yet since I bought him!)

Baby steps - there's no hurry so take your time to get to know each other, and try to avoid situations that may lead to arguments. Can your YO come out hacking with you again this weekend, or can another livery join you?

Enjoy him - he's your first horse, and if you're anything like me, you'll have been waiting a lifetime for this moment - don't feel you have to do everything at once.
 
Thanks for the comments. Yes, I can ask the YO (in fact she's offered) to come out with me next week however I feel like a bit a wimp as it's very obvious to everyone else that he's a complete sweetheart! But he is an experienced horse (and an ex racehorse!) who know's I'm not an experienced rider or owner. I have been advised to just sit with him in his paddock for a couple of hours a day (or when I can) to get him used to me and him to me - it's still warm here in Portugal! - which I'm happy to do...
 
That sounds like great advice.

But please don't fall into the trap of comparing yourself to others - he's your horse, and all that matters is you and him.

Mine is on working livery, and I'm well aware that pretty much everyone I've seen ride him has done much better than me, but I need to ignore it and focus on my relationship with him, not other people's.

Pics? :D
 
Don't rush yourself! You barely know each other and it will take time! As above, ride in company for the first few weeks until you know the routes and your horse.

He sounds lovely though and a hard type to come by. My first horse is lovely on the ground but can be a nightmare to ride due to the bad habits that he's developed. Enjoy him!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top