kitty88
New User
Just to give some context, I'm an adult returning to riding after a number of years. Had ridden from 8 years old up to my twenties and was lucky enough to own my own pony at one point. Alas, life happened!
I came back to riding this year, fulfilling my dream of loaning as a happy hacker. Unfortunately, I had a bad experience while trying out potential loans. I came off one horse a number of times and long story short, it was down to losing my balance mid bolt, at a flat out gallop. I really underestimated the knock it gave my confidence!!
I've found a more suitable horse to loan as a hacker, and she is a dreeeeam. Still has her own personality, we do lots of work on stable manners, but is amazing to hack on roads, sensible and most importantly, listens! I'm the problem
I've been really, really anxious about cantering and bolting in general. I've gone out hacking with others and when it's with company, I've no problem having a little canter. But I hadn't done it on my own, until today! 
It was beautiful, she loved it, I loved it, and most importantly I managed to relax. I think my anxiety has been making me 'hold' her back and that was (of course) annoying for her. She has a super soft mouth and needs minimal contact. Today I managed to focus on keeping my weight in my heels, kept off her mouth and trusted her to listen to half halts, which she absolutely did.
It's such a huge win and it's amazed me how much more I enjoyed today's ride by trusting her to listen and interfering less. We even trotted home, which has previously terrified me since it means she goes up a gear in trot, but if I felt her get too excited, again just a half halt and vocal praise when she responded sorted it right out. Previously I was so nervous she'd take off, that I wouldn't let her trot on the way home. I didn't even realise how anxious I had been about all this before today. It feels like a real breakthrough, so I just wanted to share.
Huge thanks to everyone sharing their experiences and advice on here, I've come on here after bad days and it always helps so much. Little milestones like today's remind me why I love riding. It never fails to teach me something!
I came back to riding this year, fulfilling my dream of loaning as a happy hacker. Unfortunately, I had a bad experience while trying out potential loans. I came off one horse a number of times and long story short, it was down to losing my balance mid bolt, at a flat out gallop. I really underestimated the knock it gave my confidence!!
I've found a more suitable horse to loan as a hacker, and she is a dreeeeam. Still has her own personality, we do lots of work on stable manners, but is amazing to hack on roads, sensible and most importantly, listens! I'm the problem
I've been really, really anxious about cantering and bolting in general. I've gone out hacking with others and when it's with company, I've no problem having a little canter. But I hadn't done it on my own, until today! It was beautiful, she loved it, I loved it, and most importantly I managed to relax. I think my anxiety has been making me 'hold' her back and that was (of course) annoying for her. She has a super soft mouth and needs minimal contact. Today I managed to focus on keeping my weight in my heels, kept off her mouth and trusted her to listen to half halts, which she absolutely did.
It's such a huge win and it's amazed me how much more I enjoyed today's ride by trusting her to listen and interfering less. We even trotted home, which has previously terrified me since it means she goes up a gear in trot, but if I felt her get too excited, again just a half halt and vocal praise when she responded sorted it right out. Previously I was so nervous she'd take off, that I wouldn't let her trot on the way home. I didn't even realise how anxious I had been about all this before today. It feels like a real breakthrough, so I just wanted to share.
Huge thanks to everyone sharing their experiences and advice on here, I've come on here after bad days and it always helps so much. Little milestones like today's remind me why I love riding. It never fails to teach me something!
