First ride in two years, very happy

sue_nf

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Well this is my first ever new thread so ignore by all means! Just so pleased today, I have ridden all my life, but lost my nerve a few years ago, my boy went out on loan, very successfully, and we have our 4 other horses here at home that I adore looking after, two are my husband's, one is our 40yr old Forester and we have a two year old Forester. I haven't ridden for several years much to my husband's disappointment as we moved to this area to have the neds at home and to ride out together - he now rides out alone. Anyhow sorry this is boring but for the last couple of weeks I've really wanted to ride and today at 4pm I decided to take husbands lovely (but extremely sharp) mare out alone. I figured on just a twenty minute stroll and if she got difficult towards home I would dismount and not consider it a failure if I did get off.

It's been so long my Mountain Horse High Riders in the garage were mouldy!

Anyhow, Bo was wonderful we mooched out with lots of chat from me to her explaining I needed her to be calm. I didn't go far as was worried about turning for home as that is her excuse for giraffe head and jogging, I remembered to breathe, kept reminding myself to sit deep etc, and she was so good, we had a couple of sideways moments and I was close to getting off but a pep talk to myself worked and we both got home happy and relaxed. So so pleased, I love this mare so much and at this stage I think just maybe I will start riding again.

Thanks for reading my rather boring thread, but I am so happy, oh and when I told my husband he was really shocked and delighted x
 
Thank you for your kind support, I'm hoping this is a turning point, I miss "proper" riding so much, and I know my husband would love us to ride out together again. Fingers, toes, eyes etc crossed that I can overcome these ridiculous nerves and get back to riding again. X
 
Well done and keep it up :) .... my fear is that I will end up losing my nerve :rolleyes: ... now that my old boy cannot be ridden, I could easily just give up riding ...... he is the one horse I trust with my life :o
 
Eagle stone, please don't lose your nerve, it's horrid!

I knew I needed to try again when my husband wasn't around as he will try and make me feel as safe as poss ie holding my horse at the mounting block, walking at her head, asking me constantly if I'm ok etc. I decided I needed to bite the bullet, I'm more than capable, and my goodness me I'm still on a high and he is really thrilled x
 
Eagle stone, please don't lose your nerve, it's horrid!

I knew I needed to try again when my husband wasn't around as he will try and make me feel as safe as poss ie holding my horse at the mounting block, walking at her head, asking me constantly if I'm ok etc. I decided I needed to bite the bullet, I'm more than capable, and my goodness me I'm still on a high and he is really thrilled x

Thank you ;) I will think of your reply every time I think negative thoughts ... keep it up ... the quiet times with a horse are lovely feeling :)
 
Thanks everyone, I really appreciate your kind words, Bo will never be my relaxed hack, she's far too sharp for me, but she was so good today, certainly no dobbin but not so on her toes that I felt I needed to get off, I do hope that after thirteen years of her living with us there is some trust ( that's what I feel) and she does understand she needs to look after me, provided I'm relaxed and breathing!

Maybe I could have a riding future after all, I would so love this to be the case.
 
What a lovely story. Well done and keep it up. I am desperate to start riding again. I've done a bit every now and then, but my husband isn't keen. That said I did get him on horse during our honeymoon and he has a very good natural seat. Hopefully when we move out of London and my work schedule is bit less hectic there will be the opportunity for me to get a share or even my own horse again.

Losing your nerve is horrible, but well done you for taking the first step forward - and the first step is always the hardest. Looking forward to hearing more.
 
Thank you Ce Nedre, I hope you manage to get some decent riding in soon, but it sounds good that you got your husband in the saddle. X
 
Wow well done!

Funnily enough I rode my horse today for the first time today since he bucked me off in Feb/March time.

Must be the sunshine!
 
Well done - very inspirational post. I have been talking myself into not riding again because I don't think I will cope. It's funny how you can imagine yourself into internal turmoil isn't it? Having said that, I sometimes feel the same about motorway driving; and like you I do better on my own, without him indoors either clucking over me or being hypercritical. :)

You go girl!
 
Such a lovely post to read, esp your first..well done you!

I totally understand how chuffed you must be as the day before yesterday I was finally able to ride one of mine for the first time in a whole year and three weeks! Though it was for other reasons,she missed being ridden terribly...I missed riding her terribly, just as you mentioned ..not to mention the guilt not riding as she is 26 & even tho it was just 20 mins gentle stretching & walking in the school, she had an expression like she's won the carrot euromillions..and I had a similar one(just cake!) so well done you, well done Bo for being good & looking after you and I hope you have many, many more happy confidence boosting rides!xxx
 
Thank you for all your really kind words, I'm so suprised to have had so many replies. Sahara I'm thrilled for you both and I hope you can continue with lots of lovely rides.

Dear Bo was so kind to me, she really is a speed machine and I'm still not sure what made me take her out, but I do believe she cares for me and I adore her, I'm working for a few hours today but hope to take her out for a quiet walk later. Maybe some Rescue Remedy and lots of deep breathing and out of tune singing!
 
Thank you for all your really kind words, I'm so suprised to have had so many replies. Sahara I'm thrilled for you both and I hope you can continue with lots of lovely rides.

Dear Bo was so kind to me, she really is a speed machine and I'm still not sure what made me take her out, but I do believe she cares for me and I adore her, I'm working for a few hours today but hope to take her out for a quiet walk later. Maybe some Rescue Remedy and lots of deep breathing and out of tune singing!

ah bless you :-) thank you aswell re Jessie:-) Might I suggest a drop of lavender oil on your collar..you'll keep getting lovely wafts of it..very calming and will help Bo chill too..also Jasmine oil is known as hug in a bottle..you only need a drop of any essential oil that gives you a pleasant calm feeling..rose is often good for emotions too and you can actually make some rose scent by putting fresh petal in water, or a mix of water & carrier oil..so no reason you can't do the same with jasmine or anything that you find relaxing...just being in the new forrest should help, I often drive thru it rather than use the A/M27 and its like some enchanted magical forrest world xx
 
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