Feeling a bit hopeless

[showpony]

Honestly & you will find this funny! My at the time 3.5 yr old started riding ... she was about a year in the saddle & one day got overcome with Jealousy ( sad really) about how much fun she was having!!! So started back on riding school horses & then used to get put on the trickier horses, the ones that misbehaved with other riders!!!

Was 3mths back in the saddle couple when I got my 4yr old

3 wks after I got her I came off at speed into the arena fence & broke it on impact ( am only small & 8.5 stone so you can imaged the force I went into the fence lol )

basically it took months & months of my fabulous coach helping me overcome nerves & by that I mean being exceptionally tough & pushing me out of my comfort zone at times...

whenever I was having " One of those" days she would just put me on circles & figures of eights until I got bored & said so.... or the trick she used to do was say well IF you think you might like to do xyz just do it but NO PRESSURE - lol
It wasn't easy but Im bloody determined and a year down the line we are getting there! Actually we are off to our countrys biggest show next wk to compete in two showing classes.- who would have thought that 12mths ago when at times I was making up excuses to lunge my horse rather than ride her...!!!!

Dont think Im super confident now btw - but I can get a better handle on my nerves .... breathing is a massive part of it - simple as it sounds lol....

I hope you don't mind me asking but how did you overcome your nerves enough to ride again?

It's so frustrating as I really do want to ride him but I just keep worrying he's going to be too much for me which is stupid as he's had first time riders on him before and was perfectly fine on the occasions I rode him at the old yard.

I'm hoping to have someone to hack out with on Monday night and have told myself all I need to do tomorrow is one lap of the school (yup, I really am that wussy right now!), anything more will just be a bonus!

 

[_GG_]

@_GG_ .. you really are the best kind of person

I am having total strangers off here and other places showing me and my family huge amounts of kindness at the moment and it is making a huge difference to many lives, so if I can do a little bit of that myself than gosh darn it (said in proper old BBC presenting styleee), I will.

It's also totally selfish tbf...I just love every horse I meet

 

[_GG_]

Oh and by the way...I was going to ask by PM but I will ask on here and make a competition out of it...

GG2B - I need you to tell me 5 things that you REALLY like...for example, chocolate, wine etc.

Don't worry, it is purely for confidence building purposes and no...unfortunately I won't actually be bringing any, lol.

And please can you tell me some of your favourite comedy films...you can tell me by PM if you want

 

[FestiveFuzz]

I'm in exactly your shoes, OP! Even more so currently. I'd love you to do a log or diary, whatever, on here (with pics!!) to show us how you get on. :smile3:

Assuming tomorrow isn't as horrific as my mind thinks it will be, I might just do that! I know we have a long way to go as he's been out of work for a while and is somewhat lacking manners on the ground, but I'm really determined to get my confidence back as I used to love riding and did everything with my old mare.

Maybe we can conquer our confidence issues together?

 

[_GG_]

Honestly & you will find this funny! My at the time 3.5 yr old started riding ... she was about a year in the saddle & one day got overcome with Jealousy ( sad really) about how much fun she was having!!! So started back on riding school horses & then used to get put on the trickier horses, the ones that misbehaved with other riders!!!

Was 3mths back in the saddle couple when I got my 4yr old

3 wks after I got her I came off at speed into the arena fence & broke it on impact ( am only small & 8.5 stone so you can imaged the force I went into the fence lol )

basically it took months & months of my fabulous coach helping me overcome nerves & by that I mean being exceptionally tough & pushing me out of my comfort zone at times...

whenever I was having " One of those" days she would just put me on circles & figures of eights until I got bored & said so.... or the trick she used to do was say well IF you think you might like to do xyz just do it but NO PRESSURE - lol
It wasn't easy but Im bloody determined and a year down the line we are getting there! Actually we are off to our countrys biggest show next wk to compete in two showing classes.- who would have thought that 12mths ago when at times I was making up excuses to lunge my horse rather than ride her...!!!!

Dont think Im super confident now btw - but I can get a better handle on my nerves .... breathing is a massive part of it - simple as it sounds lol....

Wow. That's a major achievement. I say well done you and well done your instructor

 

[FestiveFuzz]

@_GG_ .. you really are the best kind of person

THIS!!! I'm still amazed someone would offer to come help with my silly confidence issues.

Honestly & you will find this funny! My at the time 3.5 yr old started riding ... she was about a year in the saddle & one day got overcome with Jealousy ( sad really) about how much fun she was having!!! So started back on riding school horses & then used to get put on the trickier horses, the ones that misbehaved with other riders!!!

Was 3mths back in the saddle couple when I got my 4yr old

3 wks after I got her I came off at speed into the arena fence & broke it on impact ( am only small & 8.5 stone so you can imaged the force I went into the fence lol )

basically it took months & months of my fabulous coach helping me overcome nerves & by that I mean being exceptionally tough & pushing me out of my comfort zone at times...

whenever I was having " One of those" days she would just put me on circles & figures of eights until I got bored & said so.... or the trick she used to do was say well IF you think you might like to do xyz just do it but NO PRESSURE - lol
It wasn't easy but Im bloody determined and a year down the line we are getting there! Actually we are off to our countrys biggest show next wk to compete in two showing classes.- who would have thought that 12mths ago when at times I was making up excuses to lunge my horse rather than ride her...!!!!

Dont think Im super confident now btw - but I can get a better handle on my nerves .... breathing is a massive part of it - simple as it sounds lol....

Haha I hope the OH doesn't read that, he's desperate to be a Daddy! Your instructor sounds perfect as that's the sort of reverse psychology that would have me ignoring my fears out of sheer determination/stubborness! You've done incredibly in the space of a year and I only hope I can be some way to the stage you're at by this time next year. Good luck with the show!

Oh and by the way...I was going to ask by PM but I will ask on here and make a competition out of it...

GG2B - I need you to tell me 5 things that you REALLY like...for example, chocolate, wine etc.

Don't worry, it is purely for confidence building purposes and no...unfortunately I won't actually be bringing any, lol.

And please can you tell me some of your favourite comedy films...you can tell me by PM if you want

Hmm...that's a toughie! I'll have a think and PM you

 

[_GG_]

Confidence issues are NEVER silly! xx

And if you can't think of anything, I can make some stuff up. x

 

[FestiveFuzz]

Confidence issues are NEVER silly! xx

And if you can't think of anything, I can make some stuff up. x

I guess they just seem silly when I think of how I was with my old horse. I've just bugged OH and managed to come up with a few xx

 

[_GG_]

I guess they just seem silly when I think of how I was with my old horse. I've just bugged OH and managed to come up with a few xx

HahahaI hope you have a sense of humour ;-)

As for confidence...hey, It took me ten years after leaving Hartpury to even want to jump again. Was fine with everything else, but the thought of jumping made me feel physically sick. It's not silly, it is natural to fear something when you build it up in your mind.

 

[showpony]

GG,

Are you planning to ply OP with Wine & Chocolate before she rides lol

You I think teach similar to my Coach.... distraction is key!

Oh and by the way...I was going to ask by PM but I will ask on here and make a competition out of it...

GG2B - I need you to tell me 5 things that you REALLY like...for example, chocolate, wine etc.

Don't worry, it is purely for confidence building purposes and no...unfortunately I won't actually be bringing any, lol.

And please can you tell me some of your favourite comedy films...you can tell me by PM if you want

 

[FestiveFuzz]

GG,

Are you planning to ply OP with Wine & Chocolate before she rides lol

You I think teach similar to my Coach.... distraction is key!

Haha that sounds amazing, though if that's the case I'm not sure where the giraffe fits in!

 

[Cinnamontoast]

Maybe we can conquer our confidence issues together?

Courage, ma chère! I hope so, I need to drop weight after my months of box rest first and build my fitness (ie ability to not collapse after walking up a slope!) first. :redface3:

And GG, I think I love you! You have, I hear, been the voice of reason with another member recently!

 

[_GG_]

GG,

Are you planning to ply OP with Wine & Chocolate before she rides lol

You I think teach similar to my Coach.... distraction is key!

Haha, no. Unfortunately for GG2B, lol. Although, I think she will be perfectly justified in treating herself to them when she gets home

 

[FestiveFuzz]

Courage, ma chère! I hope so, I need to drop weight after my months of box rest first and build my fitness (ie ability to not collapse after walking up a slope!) first. :redface3:

And GG, I think I love you! You have, I hear, been the voice of reason with another member recently!

You realise I'm going to hold you to that!

 

[cambrica]

Wow, what an amazing person you are GG Its really touching just reading this thread.
OP I think your new horse is gorgeous and I can imagine just having him but not the courage to get on him is soul destroying. Have faith, it will happen and I'm actually really envious that you have GG coming to lend a hand !

 

[FestiveFuzz]

Wow, what an amazing person you are GG Its really touching just reading this thread.
OP I think your new horse is gorgeous and I can imagine just having him but not the courage to get on him is soul destroying. Have faith, it will happen and I'm actually really envious that you have GG coming to lend a hand !

Thank you! It's truly horrible not having the courage to ride him, particularly when I was quite happy to ride him no more than a week ago (I even mounted from the ground which is something I hadn't done in years!). I was chatting to my Mum about it earlier and we think it may be because all my horses during my teen years were either on loan and kept on their yards or hand me downs that were on the same yard as us to start with so I haven't moved a horse to a new yard since I was small and have now got it into my head that the 40 min drive to our yard has clearly resulted in a personality transplant for him (I know, I'm completely ridiculous!)

I am beyond grateful to GG already and we haven't even met yet!

 

[Spotsrock]

Op, get on horse, enjoy horse, get off horse, hug horse!

I had one i had to bully myself to ride, u can talk self into it and once on ull love it. Be firm with yourself, don't worry how much of what u do, just aim to get on in enclosed space, walk and trot.

Good luck and enjoy x

 

[FestiveFuzz]

Here goes nothing. My jodhs are on and my hat and boots are in the car and OH has orders not to let me leave the yard until I've ridden.

My aim is to do a little walk and trot on both reins and then go for a 10min potter with OH although I've told myself I can get off after one lap of the school if I really feel I need to.

Just writing this has made my heart race, but I think that's just because I've made it into such a big thing in my mind.

I'll update you all later on how I get on. Thanks again for all your support

 

[_GG_]

Oooh, how exciting. Hope you have a great ride...I am positive you will xx

 

[Indy]

Sing - my old boy used to have to endure my entire repetoire of Scouting for Girls, it takes your mind off your nerves. At the moment my hot headed tb mare is being subjected to The Vaccines - it does help even if you are guilty of causing mental damage to your horse. They learn as well, if they're wound up for any reason, that the sooner they settle the sooner you'll stop singing!

 

[FestiveFuzz]

Well I survived, actually that's rather dramatic! I more than survived and think the most eventful part of our first ride was when OH and I had a little argument over me asking to stand between us and cars on the main road back to the yard. To be fair I wouldn't have snapped at him if it weren't for him deciding to walk directly in front of H just as a huge car flew past. OH was oblivious to the risks and even once back on the yard insisted he'd rather be trampled by a horse than hit by a car...anyway, whilst OH was stropping we carried on walking, so kinda did the last part of the hack (on the scary main road) alone I'm not going to lie, this did scare me a little bit so I ended up singing a bit of counting crows to him to keep me calm.

We also pottered round the school, first in-hand and then with me on him and did plenty of halt/walk/trot transitions and circles/serpentines to keep him thinking, all the while with me apologising to him for thinking he'd become some evil dragon pony in the time he's been with us.

By the time I came to dismounting I felt more than a little silly for almost crying this morning at the thought of riding him.

But anyway, I'm guessing what you really want to see his some pics of me on him (well it'd be rude not to right?!)


Here's me finally on board...

I think OH caught me mid-whip tap with this one as I can't think what else I'd be doing with my hands like that...

And here's proof we actually left the school...

Sorry if that one turned out HUGE I still have no idea how to resize pics.

Thanks again for all the bum-kicking yesterday, you've all been a huge help and I'm now less worried about becoming a blubbing mess at _GG_ on Tues

 

[oldie48]

Well done. He looks lovely, a really nice type. You are so lucky to have such great hacking, lucky you!

 

[ChestnutTinker]

Well done!!! Very proud of you and loving the photo's!! XX

 

[_GG_]

Well I survived, actually that's rather dramatic! I more than survived and think the most eventful part of our first ride was when OH and I had a little argument over me asking to stand between us and cars on the main road back to the yard. To be fair I wouldn't have snapped at him if it weren't for him deciding to walk directly in front of H just as a huge car flew past. OH was oblivious to the risks and even once back on the yard insisted he'd rather be trampled by a horse than hit by a car...anyway, whilst OH was stropping we carried on walking, so kinda did the last part of the hack (on the scary main road) alone I'm not going to lie, this did scare me a little bit so I ended up singing a bit of counting crows to him to keep me calm.

We also pottered round the school, first in-hand and then with me on him and did plenty of halt/walk/trot transitions and circles/serpentines to keep him thinking, all the while with me apologising to him for thinking he'd become some evil dragon pony in the time he's been with us.

By the time I came to dismounting I felt more than a little silly for almost crying this morning at the thought of riding him.

But anyway, I'm guessing what you really want to see his some pics of me on him (well it'd be rude not to right?!)


Here's me finally on board...

I think OH caught me mid-whip tap with this one as I can't think what else I'd be doing with my hands like that...

And here's proof we actually left the school...

Sorry if that one turned out HUGE I still have no idea how to resize pics.

Thanks again for all the bum-kicking yesterday, you've all been a huge help and I'm now less worried about becoming a blubbing mess at _GG_ on Tues

Fab pics hun. This is just a great mini report so well done you.

And you won't be a blubbering mess I promise you. Even if you do, you'll at most get a quick hug, then a kick up the bum...lol

Well done, now go get yourself a bottle of wine for tonight

 

[cambrica]

A huge well done to you. So happy for you and love the photos!

 

[The Fuzzy Furry]

Well done - you did it! :smile3:
If you want company (not sure where you are in the county?) drop me a PM

 

[FestiveFuzz]

Well done. He looks lovely, a really nice type. You are so lucky to have such great hacking, lucky you!

He really is! I feel so silly for mistaking his lack of manners on the ground for him having turned into a complete horror. Sadly all the nice hacking is a good 30 mins roadwork away, the pic was just taken on the track out of the yard as OH wanted to take a nice panoramic shot

Well done!!! Very proud of you and loving the photo's!! XX

Thanks so much hun. I honestly can't believe how worked up I got over something so simple. Definitely much smilier this afternoon though

Fab pics hun. This is just a great mini report so well done you.

And you won't be a blubbering mess I promise you. Even if you do, you'll at most get a quick hug, then a kick up the bum...lol

Well done, now go get yourself a bottle of wine for tonight

Thanks hun. I'm feeling heaps better now and even more excited for Tuesday. Bottle of wine is already chilling in the fridge

 

[ChestnutTinker]

Bet you can't wait to get back on again now

 

[hihosilver]

aah poor you It is always scary getting on a new horse even if you are a confident rider, it takes time to fully trust a new horse and they must feel the same as us. It is better to get on as soon as you can or if you are really too nervous why not let someone who is confident ride him first and then you can just hop on for 5/10/mins. Take your time just ride him for short periods until you trust him. Good luck let us know how it goes.

update! have now just seen the photos.. he is gorgeous!!! well done you

 

[Cinnamontoast]

Fabulous! Love coloureds! That last pic would be a great signature. :smile3: