I am going to try brwt on Friday!

[rextherobber]

2nd hack on dantrolene and he went symptomatic in the same place as last time. Firstly gets champy on the bit, then keeps wanting to stretch down then goes cross and spooky and backward thinking. This is 3/4 of the way round so heading towards home when if he was ‘normal’ he should if anything be keen to get back to his friends.

I’m starting supplements again which I stopped in my disheartened phase. Perhaps they will help. Maybe I should shorten the hack by turning round, but I don’t really like doing that.

It’s all trial and error, and trying to listen to feedback from him. There really aren’t any clear solutions!

My mare was the same, at a certain point, like a switch being turned on. I found if I hopped off and led her for a bit, she wound down, and was ok when I got back on. And I could time it, and get off just before she started feeling whatever it is she feels, which definitely made it more pleasant for us both. She never did anything that made you feel you wanted to get off, but was so tense and not going forward...I think with her ( n/px) it was anxiety, she needed me with her on the ground. As you say, all trial and error.

 

[catembi]

Thank you for sharing! I’m thinking about experimenting with shorter hacks. If I box to my friend’s which is a mile up the road, there are two short, circular hacks that I could do. It’s a bit of a faff getting the lorry out just to hack though!

I have also ordered some hempine which is legal cannabis and which is supposed to be a real game changer for horse (and human) muscle disorders. We just have to keep trying…

 

[Jacksie]

Hope you don’t mind me asking Catembi but wondering how things are progressing with this? Are you still pleased with the results and would you recommend?

 

[catembi]

Unfortunately my main horse is now so symptomatic for PSSM that he cannot go faster than walk. We do 20 minutes in the arena once a week/fortnight in walk. I am mostly riding my other TB. He has PSSM as well but will work for 20 minutes in walk. He doesn't like any kind of weather - wind, rain, cold - and it makes him sharp, and although he's 20, he can be a PITA if he's in a bad mood. Previously when he had a moment, I'd want to go in early, get off, stay up the safe end of the school etc but now I don't take any notice of him and carry on. Beforehand, the first thought would be, 'oh no, what if I fall off', but falling off has stopped being my first thought or even much of a consideration. So now my response to whatever antic he's pulling is, FFS Trev, behave yourself! We deliberately spent nearly the whole 20 minutes at the scarey end of the school not long ago as one of my dressage letters had blown off & was on the ground OUTSIDE the arena & he decided that it was the scariest thing he'd seen in his 20 years. So we stayed up there on a circle until he wound his neck in & stopped being a prat.

It doesn't sound like much, but there has been a huge change in my attitude. Previously, if I'd done something like ride through a sticky moment, I would be pleased at the time, but then next time I would be starting from level again. Now, it builds & gets added to the confidence store, so my confidence is growing rather than being set back to zero every time I get on.

We will see what happens if I can persuade o/h that I NEED a 5th horse!

 

[Jacksie]

That sounds really positive for you and as though it’s working. Even if it seems to be small steps, you’re still moving forward which will become big steps in time.

If it’s ok with you, would you let me know which therapist you used? I’m having a bit of a wobble atm and am thinking of a few sessions for myself.

I’m also impressed you’re trying to persuade your OH you need a 5th I need to up my game…

 

[poiuytrewq]

I dont believe in bravery. I ride safe horses. And always have. My darling companions .

Lucky you!

 

[Cloball]

Might give it a go, my poor pony is very safe apart from a few teething problems last spring is literally bombproof .. think fighter jets overhead, high speed trains. I just dont think it's fair for her to have to carry my anxious catastrophising butt around... It would be much nicer for both of us.

 

[catembi]

It was Kate Osmaston. I freely admit that the whole thing is a bit odd, but who even cares if it’s the placebo effect or whatever if I have gone from worrying about falling off to being able to weather TB antics without being perturbed.

My fundamental attitude has shifted from ‘I’m going to fall off’ to ‘I’ve got this’.

 

[Dave's Mam]

I have an initial online meeting with Kate Osmaston tomorrow morning. I'm rather excited.

 

[canteron]

I have an initial online meeting with Kate Osmaston tomorrow morning. I'm rather excited.

How did it go? Very interested, it sounds almost too good to be true, but if it’s only marginal gains it has to be worth it!

 

[Ceriann]

It didn’t work for me - as other say it works for some but not others. It perhaps did initially but not in the long term. Regular riding is the best solution for me so I continue to create good memories and feel more able to manage an issue. Periods of not riding affect my confidence!

 

[Dave's Mam]

How did it go? Very interested, it sounds almost too good to be true, but if it’s only marginal gains it has to be worth it!

Well, I have decided to give it a go & have booked an appointment.

 

[Pinkvboots]

Well, I have decided to give it a go & have booked an appointment.

I had 2 sessions with her and I think it really helped me she us very good, I did really need a few more but Christmas happened and then I was ill so I'm planning on having a few more in the near future.

I hope you enjoy it and it works for you, let us know how you get on.

 

[Dave's Mam]

I had 2 sessions with her and I think it really helped me she us very good, I did really need a few more but Christmas happened and then I was ill so I'm planning on having a few more in the near future.

I hope you enjoy it and it works for you, let us know how you get on.

I will definitely let you know. I've been horribly catastrophising things & I really hope it can help.
Thoughts like "Oh don't wear that top, it's a bit dirty and you'll smell in hospital if you fall off."

 

[Pinkvboots]

I will definitely let you know. I've been horribly catastrophising things & I really hope it can help.
Thoughts like "Oh don't wear that top, it's a bit dirty and you'll smell in hospital if you fall off."

Oh really mine is more like a feeling of anxiety and doom when I ride and its got worse since I had a bad accident about 5 years ago, I don't think the menopause helped either it just heightened everything.

 

[Dave's Mam]

Appointment is on Thursday & I must admit I am quite excited, if a little apprehensive.

 

[Pinkvboots]

Appointment is on Thursday & I must admit I am quite excited, if a little apprehensive.

You will be fine let me know how it goes

 

[canteron]

Appointment is on Thursday & I must admit I am quite excited, if a little apprehensive.

So interested to know your verdict. I follow her on the dreaded fb - the adverts are convincing but my brain says nothing is that simple?

 

[Dave's Mam]

So interested to know your verdict. I follow her on the dreaded fb - the adverts are convincing but my brain says nothing is that simple?

Oh I meant to reply & update. It didn't work for me. Whilst I felt very calm & serene immediately afterward, anxiety made its way back in rather quickly. In fact Dave was really spooky when I rode later & I felt terrible.
Apparently I may have some resistance that could be worked on, but for now I'm not going to pursue it.

 

[Pinkvboots]

Oh I meant to reply & update. It didn't work for me. Whilst I felt very calm & serene immediately afterward, anxiety made its way back in rather quickly. In fact Dave was really spooky when I rode later & I felt terrible.
Apparently I may have some resistance that could be worked on, but for now I'm not going to pursue it.

I've not carried on with mine either I had 2 sessions and I don't think I could'nt really connect to it, but someone I know had hypnotherapy for a bit of a drink problem and his been raving about it, I looked into it for rider confidence and its got a good success rate so I might look into it.

 

[Dave's Mam]

I've not carried on with mine either I had 2 sessions and I don't think I could'nt really connect to it, but someone I know had hypnotherapy for a bit of a drink problem and his been raving about it, I looked into it for rider confidence and its got a good success rate so I might look into it.

Let me know how you get on, if you go ahead.
I had high hopes of this, maybe too high, but I think my anxiety is too deeply seated just now, perhaps I just expected too much.

 

[Pinkvboots]

Let me know how you get on, if you go ahead.
I had high hopes of this, maybe too high, but I think my anxiety is too deeply seated just now, perhaps I just expected too much.

A bit similar to me I think I thought the 2 sessions helped but I'm probably in a worse state as I was before, maybe I should have stuck with it but it's not cheap and I struggled with the concept of it really.

I'm going to look into the hypnotherapy and I found another therapist that's does a number if things and can coach you on your horse that is fairly local to me so I may explore that.

 

[Ceriann]

A bit similar to me I think I thought the 2 sessions helped but I'm probably in a worse state as I was before, maybe I should have stuck with it but it's not cheap and I struggled with the concept of it really.

I'm going to look into the hypnotherapy and I found another therapist that's does a number if things and can coach you on your horse that is fairly local to me so I may explore that.

Would you be ok to let me know thoughts re any hypnotherapy you look at? Read about people using it and good results. I am due back in saddle next week after a few weeks off and know I need to get hours in saddle to get my confidence back up. Anything that could help is worth a look. I have a very sane horse so she isn’t the issue - it’s definitely me!

 

[Pinkvboots]

Would you be ok to let me know thoughts re any hypnotherapy you look at? Read about people using it and good results. I am due back in saddle next week after a few weeks off and know I need to get hours in saddle to get my confidence back up. Anything that could help is worth a look. I have a very sane horse so she isn’t the issue - it’s definitely me!

Yes off course if I will come back and report on it.

 

[VRIN]

Have you looked at Karl Greenwood? He does a lot with rider confidence .. I found he talked a lot of sense

 

[LEC]

I dont believe in bravery. I ride safe horses. And always have. My darling companions .

See it’s idiots like me who make confident and safe sporthorses for other people.

 

[Ceriann]

Yes off course if I will come back and report on it.

Thank you!

 

[Caski]

I do agree with having safe horses...!

The late Catembi was a spooky spinner & I used to spend a lot of time on my a**e in various warm-up arenas as he was worse at competitions. I used to hack him out 3 x week with the Sat or Sun hack (dep on competing schedule) being a long one, & we were often out for hours & really had the need for speed! Now I do NOT have the need for speed & wish I did! It was so long ago now that I can't really remember whether I actually truly enjoyed it or whether inside I was going, 'OMFG I want to get off...'

He was by Cruising and had more scope than I could ever need, & despite being extremely wet and not very talented I managed to jump him up to 1 m 25 ish in lessons. I was looking at my jump stands yesterday, joyfully dug out of storage in the hay barn now that Thor is un-retired, and I just could NOT believe how high 1 metre is. Discovery used to look SMALL at one time & now 60 cm looks BIG! I have a long, long way to go.

Thor has Cat's scope and elastic paces but is very safe, yet I still get the heeby-jeebies with very little provocation. I am 52...physically I am a gym bunny & am in better shape than I was at 20/25, so that's not the issue. It's all in my head. In his recent biography, William Shatner (Captain Kirk) says that every time he rides he's improving & is riding now at the age of 93 better than ever. That's what I want! If he can do it Western, then I can do it jumping!

Jump stands look huge when you drag them out!

From the back of the horse - not so scary..... positive thinking does help as does running through past good moments - there must be many times when you popped round tricky courses and gave yourself a pat on the back!

 

[catembi]

Well my new horse arrived this afternoon so I guess that I am about to find out whether the confidence boost was real or imaginary…!