feeling a little down :-(

kinnygirl1

kinnygirl1

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Hi All

Had a bit of a tumble last week - pony bucked me off when spooked - and confidence is at a bit of a low. I have ridden every day since my fall which has included a couple of good lessons but not really enjoyed it cos am so wary and also just can't imagine I will ever be able to force myself to ride anywhere but the school again. Have a v sore knee from the fall which isn't helping either as riding is uncomfy.

So tonight was listening to people at the yard all talking about their fantastic hacks and competetions they've been to this weekend and made me feel a bit low. I have a trailer just stood on the yard and an annual pass to a fantastic park with off road hacking and I am too blooming scared to use either. Cross with myself for feeling like this but can't shake it. Tell me this will get better????

KG
 
You poor thing! Your confidence has taken a knock but it will get better. A good tip is to try smiling and even humming a happy tune when you ride because it will help relax you no matter how tense you feel. Don't worry about feeling silly! Before you get on, spend ten mins just visualising what a great ride you're going to have.
 
kinnygirl1 said:
Hi All

Had a bit of a tumble last week - pony bucked me off when spooked - and confidence is at a bit of a low. I have ridden every day since my fall which has included a couple of good lessons but not really enjoyed it cos am so wary and also just can't imagine I will ever be able to force myself to ride anywhere but the school again. Have a v sore knee from the fall which isn't helping either as riding is uncomfy.

So tonight was listening to people at the yard all talking about their fantastic hacks and competetions they've been to this weekend and made me feel a bit low. I have a trailer just stood on the yard and an annual pass to a fantastic park with off road hacking and I am too blooming scared to use either. Cross with myself for feeling like this but can't shake it. Tell me this will get better????

KG
Click to expand...

You are looking at it wrong :)

1. you got back on after your fall -- WELL DONE YOU ! :D that is the main thing you got the guts to get back on
2. You didnt just walk about you had a proper lesson -- WELL DONE YOU:D
3. Your in pain but you got on with it--- Well you get the idea ;)

Don't think what you could be doing but what you have achieved even if it was something small, as they say learn to walk again before you run or you will end up flat on your face.

Take each day as it comes, i find spending time with pony in stable or field watching them naturally helps me build my confidence in them again, maybe have little walks in hand or have someone walk beside you for a little plod just build it up slowly.

And above all do not beat yourself up over it lovely :) even the best riders fall off, it's easy falling off the hard bit is getting back on.

SMILE !!
Ab x
 
It does, I promise! Lost my nerve with my last horse, he took to sticking his head between his knees and ******ing off everytime I wanted a nice canter, scared myself stupid trying to yank his head up to stop, the more I pulled the harder he fought (he always stopped at the end of the track but the lack of control truely frightened me). That with a need to jog home really rattled me for a long time. In the end patience and taking things slowly we worked through it all and had an amazing summer hacking out on our own, cantering, jumping logs, etc. Infact the weekend before I lost my best friend I had the most controlled canter I had had in the 13 months I had him. A horse 9 months before I used to dread to ride, broke my heart the day he died.

Find yourself a nice, compassionate, understanding friend/hacking partner, take things slowly and get your confidence back. Little and often and set yourself small goals, like 'today I want to hack up the road and back', keep everything small to start with and just build it up slowly and within your comfort zone. Even having someone on the ground to walk beside you or cycle next to you can do wonders (like a comfort blanket). And most of all STOP COMPARING YOURSELF TO OTHER PEOPLE (I do this all the time too), doesn't do youself any good. Everyone goes through phases were their confidence is low.

In summary, small goals, good friends and patience :D

Hope this helps.
 
Fair play for riding every day after that! :D

Don't be so hard on yourself, I've chickened out of riding today because it was too cold and snowing :o everyone has off-days/weeks, and you are more than justified for feeling a bit like you're not enjoying it, especially if you're a bit sore!

Keep it up and you'll get there. As already said, well done for having a proper lesson too! I lost my nerve last year, and still have wobbly moments now, but it does get better I promise, just take it at a pace that you feel comfortable.

Chin up and be proud of what you have achieved, don't beat yourself up :cool:
 
Thanks to all for your support and replies. Need to give myself a bit of a talking to I think. Hoping that once this knee heals I will feel a bit more like I can put everything in to getting back on track. Thanks all. KG x
 
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