flat3
Well-Known Member
I did the course in January and found it very helpful. My confidence was very low after a few bad experiences over the years and then a serious fall 2 years ago resulting in multiple breaks and permanent damage.
I found the day really helpful. It has definitely improved my mindset and increased my enjoyment of riding. I figured £300 is pretty small relative to the amount I spend on my horsy life and if it means the enjoyment I get from the thousands I spend every year is much higher then it's a good investment.
I didn't have an 'oh my god, I can't believe I did that' moment. I'm not scared to get on, and I have a good seat and basic technical skill, I just wanted help to stop defaulting to 'worse case scenario' thinking which was really spoiling my riding and holding me back getting to know my new horse.
I took confidence from finding that everything practical we did on the day I was absolutely capable of executing well, and that my reactions to the different scenarios would be correct so it'll probably be ok to follow my instincts. I also found learning the 'right' way to fall really empowering as now I know how to deal with it if I find myself in that situation, whereas previously I'd just think "oh god, don't fall because you'll get smashed up again" now I'm a bit more "if I need to fall, I'll do it like that".
The day after the course I hacked my horse up the lane and back with my husband on foot. I'd had my horse 6 months and never ridden him outside the school as I was too worried about 'what might happen'.
I didn't transform into a fully fledged 'confident rider' overnight, but it was a step change in my confidence and mindset.
The book is also good, it's essentially the opening talk/discussion on the day.
I found the day really helpful. It has definitely improved my mindset and increased my enjoyment of riding. I figured £300 is pretty small relative to the amount I spend on my horsy life and if it means the enjoyment I get from the thousands I spend every year is much higher then it's a good investment.
I didn't have an 'oh my god, I can't believe I did that' moment. I'm not scared to get on, and I have a good seat and basic technical skill, I just wanted help to stop defaulting to 'worse case scenario' thinking which was really spoiling my riding and holding me back getting to know my new horse.
I took confidence from finding that everything practical we did on the day I was absolutely capable of executing well, and that my reactions to the different scenarios would be correct so it'll probably be ok to follow my instincts. I also found learning the 'right' way to fall really empowering as now I know how to deal with it if I find myself in that situation, whereas previously I'd just think "oh god, don't fall because you'll get smashed up again" now I'm a bit more "if I need to fall, I'll do it like that".
The day after the course I hacked my horse up the lane and back with my husband on foot. I'd had my horse 6 months and never ridden him outside the school as I was too worried about 'what might happen'.
I didn't transform into a fully fledged 'confident rider' overnight, but it was a step change in my confidence and mindset.
The book is also good, it's essentially the opening talk/discussion on the day.