First time riding without my BP since my accident

[curiosity101]

I just thought I'd drop a little post in here for all those who suffer with nerves / confidence issues, there is light at the end of the tunnel!

I broke my back (compression fracture to L1) after being thrown from a horse in September last year. I've been back in the saddle since December and still have good days and bad days.

Today was the best day I've had so far, I felt calm enough and confident enough to take my BP off. I look forwards to the day where I actively choose to wear it only when I specifically want to. Rather than out of pure fear.

If you also suffer with nerves and confidence, celebrate the small victories. And don't be ashamed to admit if a particular horsey partnership isn't working out for you. I don't think it's a coincidence that I changed my loan horse recently and have seen a clear improvement in my confidence since then. This was only my 5th ride on her and yet I felt comfortable to 'take a risk' so to speak.

 

[Griffin]

Brilliant! I'm struggling with my riding confidence at the moment and it is great to read about people who are making progress

 

[Rumtytum]

Congratulations! You have come so far in what most people would consider a very short time given your injury and you should be very proud of yourself. I absolutely agree with you about horsey partnerships. After many spooks and near misses I had a hard fall, nothing like as serious as yours, and had to tell my friend that I couldn't get back on her mare ever again. I felt bad because I was paying and she needed the money but as soon I'd said it, it was like a weight had dropped from me.
I now ride a super confidence giving horse, he's wonderful. Could I ever get back on the mare? Never.

 

[curiosity101]

Congratulations! You have come so far in what most people would consider a very short time given your injury and you should be very proud of yourself. I absolutely agree with you about horsey partnerships. After many spooks and near misses I had a hard fall, nothing like as serious as yours, and had to tell my friend that I couldn't get back on her mare ever again. I felt bad because I was paying and she needed the money but as soon I'd said it, it was like a weight had dropped from me.
I now ride a super confidence giving horse, he's wonderful. Could I ever get back on the mare? Never.

It's so true.

Whether it's a riding school horse, a loan horse or a horse you own. I see a lot of people beating themselves up and telling themselves they just need to get on with it.

 

[Mule]

Well done you. Take your time with it. I can understand why your injury would have such an effect on your confidence. It's often things that are a lot more minor. There often isn't much rhyme or reason to it. I've had things that could *possibly go wrong, prey on my mind and things that have gone decidedly wrong not have any effect. There's nowt as queer as the human brain!