Fiona_C
Well-Known Member
A week or so ago I took Bud out to a show and completely hated every minute of riding him (my fault not his), got home and declared I was never ever riding him again as I couldn't do him justice and would ruin him.
Have been battling with myself for the last 10 days over the best course of action, had decided to find a sharer etc, but no-one interested, ok, only just put the word out, but heyho.
Me been me, I don't give in easily and am very pigheaded and stubborn, came to the conclusion I wasn't going to let lack of confidence and fear spoil my hobby that is supposed to be fun, have a horse sitting in a field going to waste.
One of my friends at the yard gave me a good talking to and we agreed on a lunge lesson just so someone else would also be in control and he couldn't do anything to frighten me.
Tonight was the night, after glugging back quite a lot of rescue remedy, I tacked Bud up and waited for friend, rode Bud around the yard and felt really quite good and calm
most unusual for me. Lesson began and within minutes I'd discarded the reins and was going around with them hanging by my sides, then onto arms to the side etc etc, did that in walk/trot. Then felt brave enough to lose the stirrups and continued in walk, friend asked if i wanted to trot, said yes as long as I could take reins back as didn't feel that secure without both. Few mins later, reins went back into a knot and managed without. Did this both ways, although felt considerably less secure on the right rein as he tends to lean over in a typical motorbike action, stayed on though
I was nearly a rival for Joya as didn't stop smiling the entire time instead of the usual grimace lol.
Will be doing the same again for quite a few more times, as I need to really concentrate on getting my seat back into some kind of relaxed mode. But I thoroughly enjoyed tonight, have a spring back in my step and can see how thoroughly silly I have been with low self esteem/confidence issues, Bud is still the same horse as when I first got him, just me wavering around like an idiot. Poor lad having to cope with me!!!
He really is a superstar and was very chilled out, can now see that if I chill, he chills. Why can the obvious sometimes be so hard to see?
Sorry if the above sounds very me me me, but I seriously thought it was time to hang up the boots and say enough is enough.
Once again, cookies for getting this far!
Have been battling with myself for the last 10 days over the best course of action, had decided to find a sharer etc, but no-one interested, ok, only just put the word out, but heyho.
Me been me, I don't give in easily and am very pigheaded and stubborn, came to the conclusion I wasn't going to let lack of confidence and fear spoil my hobby that is supposed to be fun, have a horse sitting in a field going to waste.
One of my friends at the yard gave me a good talking to and we agreed on a lunge lesson just so someone else would also be in control and he couldn't do anything to frighten me.
Tonight was the night, after glugging back quite a lot of rescue remedy, I tacked Bud up and waited for friend, rode Bud around the yard and felt really quite good and calm
I was nearly a rival for Joya as didn't stop smiling the entire time instead of the usual grimace lol.
Will be doing the same again for quite a few more times, as I need to really concentrate on getting my seat back into some kind of relaxed mode. But I thoroughly enjoyed tonight, have a spring back in my step and can see how thoroughly silly I have been with low self esteem/confidence issues, Bud is still the same horse as when I first got him, just me wavering around like an idiot. Poor lad having to cope with me!!!
He really is a superstar and was very chilled out, can now see that if I chill, he chills. Why can the obvious sometimes be so hard to see?
Sorry if the above sounds very me me me, but I seriously thought it was time to hang up the boots and say enough is enough.
Once again, cookies for getting this far!
