Do you ever feel like giving up riding?

tabithakat64

tabithakat64

Well-Known Member
Joined
16 October 2006
Messages
5,942
Location
Herts, UK
Visit site
I'm seriously starting to think I'll never be able to ride and my horse will only ever be a happy hacker as I might as well give up on my dreams of competing him
frown.gif

I've been having lessons at a RS to help with my confidence and brush up my riding, however I'm really struggling with to keep my outside shoulder far enough back when going large and I end up feeling like a unless beginner even though I've been riding for years.
Until yesterday I haven't ridden my own horse in the school since he started running backwards at shadows with the person who has been schooling him for me. Yesterday I had a lesson with a different RI on my own horse and I was terrified of riding him in the school, she did teach me a good technique to stop him running backwards though but I know he can behave well so struggling makes me angry at him.
I really lack confidence in the school (am fine schooling when hacking although this was how I had the accident that made me loose my confidence).
I really want to be able to compete my horse (I haven't competed in 8 years) but I feel like a useless rider (I've ridden for years but my horse care and theory are miles better than my riding) and my horse wont even work in the school half the time
frown.gif

I'm going to give us both six months (of me having lessons at RS and on my boy and the new RI riding him) as then I will have been working on both our schooling for a year and if we can't manage the basics in the school at home I'm going to give up riding as watching complete beginners and newly backed horses over taking me and my horse is really getting me down.
 
i feel the same atm
frown.gif
Mr B, our loan pony, has been sold (new owners coming to pick him up next weekend) and my horse, Oscar, has soundness problems, will never be able to jump, do dressage, anything, only hacking. we can't even do in-hand classes because he's so scarred! (he was a rescue) we can't afford another pony that can actually do everything I want, and we can't get rid of Oscar! and there's my sister going to pony club camp and doing jumping clinic and dressage tests that i've never been able to do! D: doesn't really help...
tongue.gif


but just hang in there, it's bound to get better...
 
Really sorry to hear you feel so bad. Please don't give up totally and stick with your boy. I am sure you are not as bad as you feel, although I know only too well how a lack of confidence can make you feel that way.
Is there anyone you can just have a few hacks with and forget the schooling for a few weeks and just have fun?.
 
id just try and have fun, dont worry about competing, just enjoy then when the confidence comes back then start with the schooling give yourself a break your doing great!!!!
 
Aw hun
frown.gif


It makes me really sad to read your post.

I feel lucky that I can take or leave competing as that helps me stop putting undue pressure on myself.

If you have a read of my update thread that I've posted about my friend's horse that I ride for her, it may help you see how sometimes these things can take an awfully long time to "see through". Just try not to beat yourself up OR compare yourself to other people.

Do you have any friends with less complicated horses that you could pop on now and again to just help you realise that it's not all your fault?

I know it helps me to switch horses from time to time.

My George is SO big and physically demanding to ride due to his sheer size and huge movement and my friend's horse is a real brain burner, but now and again I just pop on my other friend's sensible cob and don't feel so bad about myself.

dont give up xx ((hugs))
 
Have been out for a nice long hack am feeling much better now as my horse was well behaved. Hopefully the schooling will come in time. Thanks for all your helpful advice & support
laugh.gif
 
You already mentioned a 6 month goal... instead of giving up riding, why don't you come up with a plan of what you want to achieve over the next 6 months & then maybe think about changing your horse?

Sorry if I'm way out of line here, but sometimes you shouldn't blame yourself. Maybe you've got a tricky horse? I felt EXACTLY the same as you a few years ago, esp iro jumping, then I bought a different horse & watched another rider on my old horse... & I realised that he was an awkward so & so who really wasn't that switched onto schooling or jumping. He got a fab new owner who looks after him very painstakingly & he loves his life as a happy hacker.

Don't feel like you're giving up if you decide to change horses in 6 months. If it's not the right horse for you, it's better to admit, get something else & enjoy your riding. From what you've said, you sound like a committed & thoughtful rider, & if you're not making progress...well, it takes 2 to make a partnership.

Good luck & don't give up!

T x
 
I think we all feel the same sometimes so don't give up. I lost my confidence after a fall about 16 months ago but regular lessons with a good instructor, including the occasional lunge lesson have really helped. My friend also videos me every month and I can see I have improved even though I don't always feel that I have. Don't beat yourself up about it - just try enjoying him and remember it should be fun. GOOD LUCK
smile.gif
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top