SaddlePsych'D
Well-Known Member
"I will not focus solely on the 10 seconds of lesson that went a bit wrong...I will not focus solely on the 10 seconds of lesson that went a bit wrong....I will not focus solely on the 10 seconds of lesson that went a bit wrong...."
Hmm... okay that positives first because I'm struggling with it a bit and kind of embarrassed about my riding today...New instructor, new horse, second time at this RS. Bigger horse than I am used to (good thing, this is what I wanted more experience of even if sometimes I feel like I am trying to steer a cruise ship and it's a long way down if I think about it too much!), described as a little green in the school, and more forward (I very firmly like more woah than go types but they teach you different things right?) Did some nice trot work and getting to know what rushed vs not rushed felt like. Used leg yielding in walk and trot and it was really satisfying feeling this progress, and then translate it into better circles and corners. Did not poop pants when horse tripped and suddenly it seemed like his head had disappeared. Result!
And then the bit my brain is like "look what you did...you suck...never even look in a horse's direction again!"... Tentatively agreed to try a bit of canter. It's a dilemma when you're wanting to extend your comfort zone because often you can take on what feels like a challenge and overcome it, but sometimes it goes the other way. Equally if you stay full on in comfort zone all the time, it doesn't get any bigger (or even gets smaller). I'm not entirely sure what happened, a rush of trot, wiggled, head up, lost balance and I panicked which was obviously not helpful. Continued rushing, further panic as I thought this horse is running away from me (which would have been fair enough on it's part probably) and instead of using my seat I used my reins (poor horse
) and then nearly ran the instructor over by turning in a small circle as for some reason that seemed like the route to safety/stopping (poor instructor!). Back to trot we went and ended on a reasonably good note. Big pats and an apology to the horse for being a bit crap!
So yeah...trying to just take away the positives and the learning points (outside rein is my friend, ditch the bloody schooling stick unless it's really needed, sometimes pushing further shows us where our edges are and it's always possible to take a step back before pushing again, BREEEEEEATHEEE!)
Hmm... okay that positives first because I'm struggling with it a bit and kind of embarrassed about my riding today...New instructor, new horse, second time at this RS. Bigger horse than I am used to (good thing, this is what I wanted more experience of even if sometimes I feel like I am trying to steer a cruise ship and it's a long way down if I think about it too much!), described as a little green in the school, and more forward (I very firmly like more woah than go types but they teach you different things right?) Did some nice trot work and getting to know what rushed vs not rushed felt like. Used leg yielding in walk and trot and it was really satisfying feeling this progress, and then translate it into better circles and corners. Did not poop pants when horse tripped and suddenly it seemed like his head had disappeared. Result!
And then the bit my brain is like "look what you did...you suck...never even look in a horse's direction again!"... Tentatively agreed to try a bit of canter. It's a dilemma when you're wanting to extend your comfort zone because often you can take on what feels like a challenge and overcome it, but sometimes it goes the other way. Equally if you stay full on in comfort zone all the time, it doesn't get any bigger (or even gets smaller). I'm not entirely sure what happened, a rush of trot, wiggled, head up, lost balance and I panicked which was obviously not helpful. Continued rushing, further panic as I thought this horse is running away from me (which would have been fair enough on it's part probably) and instead of using my seat I used my reins (poor horse
) and then nearly ran the instructor over by turning in a small circle as for some reason that seemed like the route to safety/stopping (poor instructor!). Back to trot we went and ended on a reasonably good note. Big pats and an apology to the horse for being a bit crap!So yeah...trying to just take away the positives and the learning points (outside rein is my friend, ditch the bloody schooling stick unless it's really needed, sometimes pushing further shows us where our edges are and it's always possible to take a step back before pushing again, BREEEEEEATHEEE!)
