Confidence - its a funny thing ain't it?

Hovis_and_SidsMum

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As all of you know form my frequent rabblings about how big a wuss i am that i suffer big time with nerves.
I haven't hacked Hovis further than the field in a year and even then its with me hyper ventilating for england. I have been known to be so hysterical about warming hovis up at shows that hubby has had to get on to do it for me and as for hacking alone - don't even go there!
So i'm not sure what happened this weekend....
Had a lesson on thursday in which i was pushed so far out of my comfort zone it seemed like a distant memory (see hovis' diary for details!!).
Friday i thought what the hell and took hovis to a local show. He was tired, I'd never been there before and nearly threw up from nerves before we got there. BUT i warmed him up myself and didn't panic when we flattened a section of the course and he scared himself. I rode like a bag of poo but heh we can't have everything.
Then on Saturday hubby and his hacking posse were going out and i suddenly heard my voice asking if i could go with them. Last time i tried i got halfway down the road and was so rigid with fear i turned back and cried for about a day.
This time we went for about 4 miles, i sang, smiled and felt quite happy - hovis was an angel.
Then today whilst hubby was off for a fast hack i took hovis around the fields on my own!!!
What is wrong with me?!!!
I know its terribly minor things to most people but massive massive steps for me.
I am rather chuffed!
I do however need some ear plugs for hovis for my singing and a song book to actually learn the lyrics of songs!
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Good for you.I have very nervous horse who had never hacked on her own and had to steel myself every time I rode her after months of work things are coming on really well.Its lovely when you turn a corner and realise how much progress you have made.Keep up good work and buy her ear plugs lol
 
very well done to you, as another who suffers horribley with nerves, I know its always the small steps that are the most rewarding!! keep smiling and singing, and long may you continue to love doing it all!!
 
What a nice post. Its so nice to read a post where its not a major competition but such an achievement nontheless. I know what you mean about the singing - my baby horse has to put up with it when we hack in the early mornings, but what the hell - Im happy
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Well done you.
 
I bet hovis isnt very pleased with this situation!!!!!! Glad your confidence is growing, you have obviously found a instructor who is giving u so much, and making u belive in yourself as hovis really does sound like a sweety!!!
 
Yey!!
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Well done you - i think its something a lot of us can relate too - its also defiantely an age related thing as i have definatley got wussier as I have got older!!
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I have just spent this afternoon practising canter transitions on my own in the school and have a huge smile on my face - only a month ago that would only happen if my RI or someone was there watching......
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Well done, i know where your coming from! I lost me bottle big time, but here i am pic taken yesterday, i am on me 4 yr old who is away being backed! this is the 5th time i have ridden her and 1st time in field! i was up at 5am worrying as i knew i was going in field, but Heather (who is working with her) said go down bottom of field and open her up, then i would get a good feel for her and know i was safe! I did, she stopped when asked and i even jumped her at the end of session! only tiny tho! i am so proud of my girl and myself and looking at video last night i had tears in my eyes. My girl is home on saturday and i am excited but cacking it at the same time! I AM GOING TO ENJOY HER, SHE IS MY DREAM!!!!!!
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That's great! I know what an achievement it is to complete a step like this. I have terrible trouble with nerves, I sometimes wonder why I bother trying to push myself out of my comfort zone but then when I do - I am on such a high, I know it is worth it!
But remember to keep to small steps - just try to do another short hack, no more than you have done today. You need to get things like that into your comfort zone before you push yourself any further.
Keep having fun - and keep singing!!
 
Great news and well done you
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I know where you are coming from because about 4 weeks ago I just couldn't bring myself to ride my girl - I felt very emotional and stupid but just couldn't get on
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It was totally irrational and fortunately it was just for one day.

You are right confidence is a funny thing
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Thats great. I am suffering too ATM, I am trying to get back into the swing of things since having my baby, but am only realy getting to ride once a week. On Saturday I pushed myself out of my comfort zone by enroling for a 'Ride with your mind clinic'. I was so nervous I could hardly drive the lorry. But it was great. I was so absorbed I forgot people were watching, and have come away with loads of things to try!
 
Maybe so MrsM but you are her mum and she will look after you


OP Well done for keeping at it
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When things get difficult for whatever reason it is so easy to let things get on top of us. You are doing really well - hope it carries on
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I took a fall last September which really made me doubt my riding ability and for ages I would only ride a bombproof (read lazy) mare at the RS. Well, in June I was down to ride her but she was lame so I was put on a gelding I'd never riden before....... I stewed on it for an hour while watching my daughter's lesson but he went well for me, and I even did a small jump!

Then last month I had a lesson and was put on a nice forward-going chestnut mare who is beautiful but does need riding or she runs around refusing to canter on the left lead...... I loved her, we had a great lesson and I am regaining my lost confidence slowly but surely.

It is a funny old thing, and well done for pushing yourself!
 
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