Progress

[Ceriann]

So i am making good progress with my young mare (five) after a few difficult months - couple of bad falls after she started broncing. New saddle, time off to sort out some lameness issues and months of lots of ground work and we are back to where we were pre issues - she is a laid back girl who takes everything in her stride. I am now at the point where i can ride without lunging first (in the school only) and whilst a little lazy she's not given me any causes for concern. Her habit of walking off as soon as i mounted has also now been forgotten and she will stand perfectly until i ask for forward (I am stupidly proud of that!).

So i have my sensible and sane girl back, she deals with spooks in the school in her stride but i am desperate to get back out on hacks (she's very green and ideally i would be hacking her out regularly to get her going forward and to make things interesting). I also used to love hacking and it was my way of forgetting work stresses etc and just enjoying some time on horsey (I would love going on my own and was never nervous). Problem is im now stupidly nervous of hacking. We hacked back from the school yesterday after a very good session there (5 minutes) and it only took a bird to fly out of the hedge (which she looked at but didnt really react to) and i was in "what if" mode straight away. She had a more active walk home (understandable) but after the bird i was convinced she'd go off with me (though she is very happy to leave her field companions and nevery anxious on separation). Common sense tells me i need to man up, the issues ive had with her have been addressed and that i need to get out and about and enjoy her and get over this.

I have lessons at a local school (i will start again with her in the next few weeks - she just needs to be fitter) and have got help as and when needed to get her back to this (I really wanted to do it myself and after the last broncing fit she had i wasnt even sure id ever get back on so i know i should be happy with where i am) and I will continue to get support as needed. Does anyone have any tips for me when out hacking or tips to deal with my confidence issues. I have just bought a back protector. My OH is also happy to walk with me to get us out and about. Anyone been on a confidence course that has really worked?

 

[Ceriann]

anyone?

 

[Queenbee]

I've not been on a confidence course, but years ago I took a tumble off my mare, she had an accident, turned into a rodeo horse.... It was a nightmare! I couldn't deal with it, I was petrified of getting on her as she bolted and rodeoed. The nerves didn't miraculously disappear when she was fixed and dispite her being back to her self, nothing stopped me quaking like a leaf from start to finish of every hack (during which we never cantered and barely trotted - if we did trot it was only uphill). The breakthrough for me came when I decided to wear my back protector... I felt like I had superman pants on and could deal with anything that she threw at me (if she threw anything at me). She never did put a foot wrong, but my nerves got much better, and after a while it felt natural to canter, or go exploring, and after it felt natural, it eventually felt fun and exciting again. It took a long time, but for me, the back protector was the thing I needed, it stopped me worrying about my safety, stopped the fear and panic.

 

[Meowy Catkin]

Start with a short, preferably circular or lolly-pop shaped route and walk your mare around it in-hand. Take your OH if that would help you confidence wise.

Then progress onto riding the route with your OH walking with you.

When ready, ride the same route on your own.

Slowly, slowly build your confidence by setting things up so that you succeed. Repeat any stage until you are ready to move on, or go back a stage if needed. Soon you should be able to try new routes and hopefully will be able to do so mounted (but with OH the first time if required).

Also, try to find a safe, quiet horse and understanding owner, to ride with if possible.

 

[Ceriann]

I've not been on a confidence course, but years ago I took a tumble off my mare, she had an accident, turned into a rodeo horse.... It was a nightmare! I couldn't deal with it, I was petrified of getting on her as she bolted and rodeoed. The nerves didn't miraculously disappear when she was fixed and dispite her being back to her self, nothing stopped me quaking like a leaf from start to finish of every hack (during which we never cantered and barely trotted - if we did trot it was only uphill). The breakthrough for me came when I decided to wear my back protector... I felt like I had superman pants on and could deal with anything that she threw at me (if she threw anything at me). She never did put a foot wrong, but my nerves got much better, and after a while it felt natural to canter, or go exploring, and after it felt natural, it eventually felt fun and exciting again. It took a long time, but for me, the back protector was the thing I needed, it stopped me worrying about my safety, stopped the fear and panic.

Just bought a back protector an its v comfy so hoping it will help. Logic tells me my mare will behave now ut due to he age i am so keen to make sure i dont spoil her with my nerves. Im takin it nice and slow and if im honest 2/3 months ago i wouldnt have been sure i get back on her so we'll get there.

 

[Ceriann]

Start with a short, preferably circular or lolly-pop shaped route and walk your mare around it in-hand. Take your OH if that would help you confidence wise.

Then progress onto riding the route with your OH walking with you.

When ready, ride the same route on your own.

Slowly, slowly build your confidence by setting things up so that you succeed. Repeat any stage until you are ready to move on, or go back a stage if needed. Soon you should be able to try new routes and hopefully will be able to do so mounted (but with OH the first time if required).

Also, try to find a safe, quiet horse and understanding owner, to ride with if possible.

Thanks -this def looks like a good bite size plan of action Im lucky in that i have lots of little loops (almost like a grid system) i can use from the house for short hacks. I was doing a bit of in hand with her before i relly knuckle down to lunging and gound work in the school. It makes sense to mix it up and get her seeng things again and the i can get back on. Im going to stick an ad in the local post office asking for a hack companion (not lived here long and hacking doesnt seem fashional round here!). My neighbour has asked to hack with me but she seems to be having so many problems with her horse it feels like it could be a step back. I need a calm and confident companion!