Riding Like a Complete Numpty

[Gorgeous George]

OH and I are in the process of moving house at the moment and to say I am stressed is an understatement . We have been due to exchange contracts for the last 2 weeks but there is always some delay or problem preventing it happening. The last straw was the removal compnay ringing yesterday to say they could no longer hold our provisional booking as they had a customer with a confirmed date who wanted our slot - aarrg ! I should add that I realise that people are dealing and coping with far far worse things than moving, but the stress and the frustration it driving me completely round the bend.

Anyway the point of this post, can stress turn you into a complete riding numpty? I certainly wasn't that great beforehand but in the last month or so I seem to have lost the ability to ride, if I go out for a hack I'm ok, but schooling is shocking . I think even my instructor was about to give up on me this week, and was desperately trying to find little things to say 'well done' for ! I kept losing my stirrups and ended up with them much shorter than usual, steering and balance was dodgy and George was obviously not impressed and was going round doing his bestest nose sticking out giraffe impression. I daren't go to a competition at the moment for fear of making a fool of myself.

Please tell me this is stress related and that normal service will resume once we've moved.

This is the third time we've moved, but its by far been the worst and OH and me have vowed never to do it again...............

 

[Three]

Of course it's stress related!

When we stress we tense, when we're tense we shorten muscles (losing stirrups), tighten through our back and shoulders (losing balance) and - most importantly! - out horses can feel it and wonder where the monster is that's making 'mum' tense so they tense up too!!


Here's hoping you're moved and settled soon. Have a (((hug))) in the meantime.

 

[RubysGold]

Ohhh that sounds awful!
But I agree with Three, its stress
Don't worry too much, concentrate on your move, and once your nicely settled the riding will come back to normal

 

[branmash]

Hi Yes moving is very stressful we are completing on thurs which has been going on since april, the exchange of contracts takes for ever as every little detail has to be ok, which is ok but you never get told anything. Anyway Im sure things will get back to normal after your move, horses are very sensitive to our moods, best of luck stay sane

 

[Thelwell_Girl]

I feel for you! I was stressed out last week due to back pain, other stuff etc and honestly rode awfully!

It will all be over soon, eh? *hugs*

 

[YorksG]

Give the lessons a miss till the move is over! You are asking an awful lot of yourself at the moment, a nice hack chatting with friends, or just George, will be a good stress breaker, worrying about your position etc. will just add to the stress. Hope the move goes ok and then you can get back to normal

 

[maletto]

it's definitely stress!! don't be too hard on yourself for the next couple of weeks - use riding as your stress relief & do lots of hacking and fun stuff until the move is over.

I know what you mean about moving house - I'm in the process of buying my first and we were supposed to exchange last wednesday, then friday and now possibly not even next week! It is so infuriating because you just want to get on with your life!

Good luck with the move, I hope you manage to get everything sorted soon