Do you ever feel your riding is going backwards?

[Magicmillbrook]

Hi Folks, feeling quite demoralised (and sore) tonight. I just feel that my riding is getting worse. I have ridden for over 13 years and have owned a horse for 10 years. The last 7 years or so I have had my horse at home and due to work and the endless jobs involved with having your own stables & land I have only only realy hacked, had the occasional jumping session and done a little RC dressage.

Anyhoo since my pregnancy and the birth of little D in March 2009 I just dont seem to be able to get back into the swing of things. Last summer I had an excuse, I had just given birth, was breast feeding and had a little baby, so made allowances for being rubbish. Winter was a right off due to the weather and moving house so I was determined this spring/summer I was going to get back into action. Things strated well then I had a crashing fall at Easter the first time big D and I had a fast canter out and my old girl got over excited. Gash to the face, whiplash, concussion, and complete loss of confidence.

Since then I have taken things slowly, firstly sticking to walk and trot on hacks, then hacking on my own and recently had a small steady canter. Have been schooling and working without stirrpus at home, trotting poles, even managed a canter without stirrups last week, however last night my pony spooked and put a buck in and I was off onto my stupid fat backside before I even realised what had happened. I just know that when I ride tommorow I will be tense and nervous and all the good work I have been doing will be undone. I have fallen off more this past year than I have in the 13 years I have been riding.

Sorry for such a self pitying post - somehow it feels better just putting it down in words. Some stories of triumph over nerves and bruised bums would be greatfully received.
Will it ever get better..... Has anyone else ever come back from the brink, or should I just give up.

 

[treacle_beastie]

No dont give up - just look how far you have come since your last incident and dont be nervous about getting back on board again tomorrow, you will be fine (but maybe a bit sore!).

I have gone through many confidence dips over the years but now I tend to look at the incidents as something that makes you stronger in the long run - the more that happens, the stronger you get - almost like - well I got away with that one so will be more prepared for the next one!

Why dont you book a lesson for a bit of a confidence boost? Having someone on the ground will help you relax too!

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Gash to the face, whiplash, concussion, and complete loss of confidence.

I'm not surprised you lost confidence!

I was bucked off at the beginning of February by a horse who was then diagnosed with a bad back. While she was off work, I had a few lessons at a RS and really couldn't understand why my riding had deteriorated so badly, I wasn't particularly nervous but felt very stiff, as if tense. Then I was diagnosed with a trapped nerve in my neck and have since been having physio. The therapist has found all sorts of nerve & muscle problems, which she thinks stem from falls over the years and from the latest one. The exercises she has given me are slowly improving things but I am still too stiff to mount my 16.3 from anything but my high stone mounting block and I need it to dismount as well, fortunately the mare is very patient.
I suggest that you have some physio and see if that makes a difference. I bet it does!

 

[Magicmillbrook]

Gash to the face, whiplash, concussion, and complete loss of confidence.

I'm not surprised you lost confidence!

I was bucked off at the beginning of February by a horse who was then diagnosed with a bad back. While she was off work, I had a few lessons at a RS and really couldn't understand why my riding had deteriorated so badly, I wasn't particularly nervous but felt very stiff, as if tense. Then I was diagnosed with a trapped nerve in my neck and have since been having physio. The therapist has found all sorts of nerve & muscle problems, which she thinks stem from falls over the years and from the latest one. The exercises she has given me are slowly improving things but I am still too stiff to mount my 16.3 from anything but my high stone mounting block and I need it to dismount as well, fortunately the mare is very patient.
I suggest that you have some physio and see if that makes a difference. I bet it does!

That sounds a good idea, my neck and shoulder still are not right after my fall at Easter (face first from gallop onto a flint). I think my tension isnt helping my pony. She is 21 now and does suffer from arthritis. When we first had her she used to buck my daughter off if she landed on here shoulder, hasnt done it for years but then she hadnt been being ridden by naughty unbalanced people who land on her shoulder. I could get the Physio to do us both.

I have already got the name of a nice instructor recomended by a friend, I have been putting off getting lessons as we are saving up for stables. Perhaps I will have lessons and stop buying food for a few weeks. I have plenty basics in the cupbpoard - G&T and chocolate, what else do you need.

 

[canteron]

I don't know if this helps, but my riding has been going backwards for ages (my age? eek) but have learned to enjoying my riding as much if not more than ever.

I have just learn to adjust my expectations of myself. I even had a chat with my riding out partner and explain I love, absolutely love hacking, but now only on nice days and at a speed I feel safe - luckily she agreed and so I school at home and only hack slowly in nice weather!

So my advice would be reassess everything and disregard anyone elses expectations. For example if you feel safer/your horse goes better in a pelham or some sort of control gadget - then fine. It will still give your horse a better quality of life than any other he is going to get at his age. (A german martingale is my item of choice if my horse is a bit on its toes). If you are worried about being bucked off consider a point two jacket, or lunge the horse before you get on. Or pay someone younger to ride once or twice a week so the horse if sane when you get on.

So who cares where you used to be and what you ambitions were, find a way of riding now in a way you feel safe and enjoy, or its all pointless!!

Good luck.

 

[flirtygerty]

Please don't get despondent, I am back into riding after 30yrs I have a gorgeous trotter x gelding who gives me confidence, yet do you think I can remember how to do a rising trot, his gait does not help and god do I ache but despite it all I grin from ear to ear, I will get there with a lot of help from my oh, my ambition is to do a fun ride some time soon.
Best wishes, by the way I am mid 50's