Second Weekend of Feb Plans

[SaddlePsych'D]

* Insert weather-based comment here * - seems like it's varying degrees of pants, depending on where in the country you are...

I'm back to schoolmaster RS for the first time in a couple of months, having had a Long Covid enforced break. Mixed feelings about it - the lesson I had elsewhere for the first time last week with view to future hacking out from that yard went really well, yet I'm actually more anxious about going back to somewhere I know. Probably doesn't help that I wasn't enjoying it so much there just before the break so maybe there's a bit of 'baggage' the new place didn't have.

Windy weather being forecast does not help confidence but then again I turned up at a new yard last week, new instructor, new (and huge!) horse, really windy, and shooting going on nearby, and did really well - the scariest part was dismounting at the end.

Also dressage writing again on Sunday which is usually enjoyable (and is indoors!)

I hope that the weather doesn't interrupt to many plans and aware some recent horse and human injuries etc. so also hoping things moving in a positive direction for people there too.

 

[Curly_Feather]

It is raining this weekend where I am in South Africa. Which is a bit pants because my car has been broken the whole week and I didn't get to ride. But maybe I can sneak in quick rides in not-too-squishy arena on Sat/Sun.

 

[millitiger]

Last minute SJ lesson tomorrow morning.
I haven't actually ridden since Areas on Tuesday, due to the monsoon weather here, so he might be a bit spritely!
Quick lunchtime hack today to get the tickle out of his feet

Saturday night Chinese buffet sod the diet for a night.

Sunday longer hack, hopefully in reasonable weather.

Have fun all!

 

[Chippers1]

Saturday I'm at a Hen party (not looking forward to it) Sunday is new puppy day (very much looking forward to it!!) I will also try and fit some riding in, I have hardly ridden the last few weeks as the weather has been so horrendous so I feel quite guilty. I will try and fit in a quick school or hack early sat and sun. I'm off Monday as well so I will also try and fit a ride in, around all the puppy-ness!

 

[SEL]

It's difficult to work out what to do. I was planning to take one to the gallops today but cancelled when I knew we were having monsoon weather because the minor roads around there flood - and they have.

Just hand walked one down my neighbouring bridleway and it's like walking down a stream.

Plus all 3 in overnight is a killer for me in terms of eating into riding time so perhaps I should plan a quiet weekend.

 

[j1ffy]

We've got a working equitation lesson tomorrow. Chilli will have had three days off as work took over on Wednesday, then he had physio yesterday so needed a quiet 48 hours. Hopefully the wild weather we've been having means he's worn himself out in the field overnight..!

 

[Alibear]

I was supposed to be away at a three-day clinic, but that was cancelled yesterday due to the weather, etc. I've decided to leave Amber back at the trainers after next Friday's clinic as although she's rising 8, her spring freshness is just a bit much for me to handle. So it's a quiet few weeks ahead for me, which is probably for the best as there's a lot of work and family stuff going on at the moment. I might see if my son and I can figure out how to replace the bath panel this weekend

 

[humblepie]

Not really sure. Had a vague idea of taking horse out somewhere on Sunday but not sure. Otherwise will hack. Do have a lesson arranged for Monday.

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

Saturday I'm at a Hen party (not looking forward to it) Sunday is new puppy day (very much looking forward to it!!) I will also try and fit some riding in, I have hardly ridden the last few weeks as the weather has been so horrendous so I feel quite guilty. I will try and fit in a quick school or hack early sat and sun. I'm off Monday as well so I will also try and fit a ride in, around all the puppy-ness!

'Liked' for puppy day not dreaded Hen party. How exciting!

It's difficult to work out what to do. I was planning to take one to the gallops today but cancelled when I knew we were having monsoon weather because the minor roads around there flood - and they have.

Just hand walked one down my neighbouring bridleway and it's like walking down a stream.

Plus all 3 in overnight is a killer for me in terms of eating into riding time so perhaps I should plan a quiet weekend.

It sounds tough at the moment SEL, I do hope this weather lets up soon.

We've got a working equitation lesson tomorrow. Chilli will have had three days off as work took over on Wednesday, then he had physio yesterday so needed a quiet 48 hours. Hopefully the wild weather we've been having means he's worn himself out in the field overnight..!

I love the WE updates. I should get along to watch a competition - it looks interesting and I keep seeing more about it on SM.

I was supposed to be away at a three-day clinic, but that was cancelled yesterday due to the weather, etc. I've decided to leave Amber back at the trainers after next Friday's clinic as although she's rising 8, her spring freshness is just a bit much for me to handle. So it's a quiet few weeks ahead for me, which is probably for the best as there's a lot of work and family stuff going on at the moment. I might see if my son and I can figure out how to replace the bath panel this weekend

Booo for clinic cancellation! Perhaps sort of good timing with lots going on just now but hopefully your plans will pick up again when weather allows

 

[MuddyMonster]

Water work out both days. And by that, I mean hacking

Planning a hilly ride out on Saturday and then a shorter ride out on Sunday to squeeze in family time.

I just need to not be too hungover tomorrow morning as out tonight!

Pony has maintenance physio on Monday so keen to get at least one long-ish ride in before then.

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

I had my lesson this morning. It objectively went well; lots to like and be pleased about in my riding despite having not been looking forward to it and feeling nervous. But the 'vibe' was off and so although I know I 'did good' and was smiling as I was riding a horse I like, it just didn't feel good. I also suspect it was too much intensity for managing the fatigue and LC symptoms. My instructor wanted me to keep pushing out of my comfort zone; she's not wrong in her approach and it did mean I achieved more but it was just too much physically and emotionally. I think I will be putting these lessons down for now and keep trying the 'hacking lessons' (i.e., private hacks with instructors where I can go at my own pace/level of intensity).

 

[SEL]

I had my lesson this morning. It objectively went well; lots to like and be pleased about in my riding despite having not been looking forward to it and feeling nervous. But the 'vibe' was off and so although I know I 'did good' and was smiling as I was riding a horse I like, it just didn't feel good. I also suspect it was too much intensity for managing the fatigue and LC symptoms. My instructor wanted me to keep pushing out of my comfort zone; she's not wrong in her approach and it did mean I achieved more but it was just too much physically and emotionally. I think I will be putting these lessons down for now and keep trying the 'hacking lessons' (i.e., private hacks with instructors where I can go at my own pace/level of intensity).

I can remember having lessons not long after my type 1 diabetes was diagnosed. I just didn't have the energy to ride in a lesson and I can remember an eye roll from the instructor when I held onto the saddle as we went into canter. I have ridden for decades but in that moment my legs were jelly and my body just wasn't playing ball - I honestly felt like I was going to wobble off the side if we didn't stop. Its very hard to explain fatigue to someone who hasn't suffered it and thinks you're 'just a bit tired'

Hacking I could do - my body just coped better and I stopped stressing about not being able to cope which helped too I think

 

[j1ffy]

I had my lesson this morning. It objectively went well; lots to like and be pleased about in my riding despite having not been looking forward to it and feeling nervous. But the 'vibe' was off and so although I know I 'did good' and was smiling as I was riding a horse I like, it just didn't feel good. I also suspect it was too much intensity for managing the fatigue and LC symptoms. My instructor wanted me to keep pushing out of my comfort zone; she's not wrong in her approach and it did mean I achieved more but it was just too much physically and emotionally. I think I will be putting these lessons down for now and keep trying the 'hacking lessons' (i.e., private hacks with instructors where I can go at my own pace/level of intensity).

It's easier to learn when you're relaxed and enjoying the experience. It may not just be the fatigue, sometimes you might not 'click' with an instructor even if they are helping you to improve. You're clearly coachable and keen to learn, the hacking lessons sound ideal at the moment!

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

I can remember having lessons not long after my type 1 diabetes was diagnosed. I just didn't have the energy to ride in a lesson and I can remember an eye roll from the instructor when I held onto the saddle as we went into canter. I have ridden for decades but in that moment my legs were jelly and my body just wasn't playing ball - I honestly felt like I was going to wobble off the side if we didn't stop. Its very hard to explain fatigue to someone who hasn't suffered it and thinks you're 'just a bit tired'

Hacking I could do - my body just coped better and I stopped stressing about not being able to cope which helped too I think

Thank you for sharing this, it's helpful to read. I've been doing my best to pace and not push through so it's more important than ever in lessons to be able to say when is enough. I think hacking can be less workout for the brain too!

It's easier to learn when you're relaxed and enjoying the experience. It may not just be the fatigue, sometimes you might not 'click' with an instructor even if they are helping you to improve. You're clearly coachable and keen to learn, the hacking lessons sound ideal at the moment!

I've got another lesson booked next week at one of the hacking yards, just to get to know the instructor a bit more before we go out hacking (and I actually really liked the assessment lesson with her) and the following week a hack with the other hacking yard. All off road, low pressure, not too taxing on the brain fog; hopefully just the right thing.

 

[TheMule]

Nova has continued to be an annoying little idiot and scratched his eyeball whilst itching is huge head wound earlier this week so has had another few days off work
But, the aim is to go to SJ course hire on Sunday and decide if I want to come straight out at BE100 or do a 90- it's quite hard to know because 90 feels tiny, but his eduction vs competition experience is very skewed and he is actually very green (he has done 1 80 And 2 90s, and nothing since last April….)

 

[DressageCob]

I'm at regionals at Myerscough on Tuesday so the weekend will be spent doing final practices, clipping and tidying up. Also grooming my baby horses, practising a bit of leading etc.

 

[blood_magik]

The baby of the yard (who’s now 6 so not really a baby anymore ) had his first lesson of the year. He actually coped really well given that we had 45-50mph gusts forecast today.

He’s finally starting to mature so time to start thinking about getting him out and about properly now. Hopefully he’ll start growing out the way now instead of up - he measured in at a smidge above 17.3hh the last time I checked

 

[mavandkaz]

Am off to a working equitation clinic tomorrow, then will try and hack on Sunday if the weather allows. Although it's so wet and slippy out I'm really not feeling hacking at the moment.
Might try and book the gallops for early in the week if there appears to be a dryish day

 

[Wishfilly]

Lesson today at home- turns out if I straighten out my body, my pony goes better- who knew! I'm off work next week so hopefully will manage to ride a few times and fit in another schooling session in between the showers.

Really enjoying having lessons at home with a trainer I've clicked with, and I feel like there are clear improvements with each session, which is lovely.

It's also great to go out to clinics etc, and in theory I feel like I could *try* something vaguely competitive this year- but I find the whole experience a lot more stressful, whereas at home I can really work on me and see improvements.

 

[j1ffy]

Great WE lesson on Chilli today, focusing on keeping him calm and relaxed between the obstacles then worked on each obstacle in turn. She gave me a different way to warm up and suggested a much slower (almost walk) trot tempo to teach him to relax and carry himself. He felt half-asleep by the end, which was very pleasant

 

[MuddyMonster]

18km with lots of hills. Pony on fine form and we stayed dry - double bonus!

 

[Cloball]

Gorgeous sunny day plans changed as hacking buddy so longer away so went round the village. Pony on fine form despite hacking buddy getting fright leaving the yard from a very intimidating loose dog. Lots of hills tomorrow although it looks a bit soggy.

 

[TheMule]

Well today was a learning day…. Turns out having over a month doing virtually nothing due to massive head trauma (horse) and Covid (human) does then affect your ability to successfully tackle a course.
My horse is a saint and it’s a useful learning process for him to realize it’s not always perfect, but I have a month of homework to do before we go again, so no March Eventing for me, we’re just too far behind the curve. I need to get the canter back uphill and with enough momentum as we kept finding half strides today and he was having to dig us out

 

[Ample Prosecco]

Still no jump saddle. So hacking/schooling/hacking/schooling. And gelding Mylo in a blizzard. (Vet had to be towed back to main road by tractor!)

Lottie is feeling so good though. Really light, really listening. Sharer took her hunting on Wednesday in a snaffle and she was just super easy to control at speed. I am itching to get out SJ again so can't wait for my saddle to come back!

 

[millitiger]

I had a good jump lesson on Saturday, it was only 30 mins but enough to jump the course twice and knock some rust off.

I had a great ride today- I had a real lightbulb lesson 2 weeks ago and feel I have just realised what true inside leg to outside hand and connection feels like.
And today I was able to recreate it at home which feels like a huge step forwards.

Another jump lesson on Tuesday as we start to crank up for eventing to start!

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

Well today was a learning day…. Turns out having over a month doing virtually nothing due to massive head trauma (horse) and Covid (human) does then affect your ability to successfully tackle a course.
My horse is a saint and it’s a useful learning process for him to realize it’s not always perfect, but I have a month of homework to do before we go again, so no March Eventing for me, we’re just too far behind the curve. I need to get the canter back uphill and with enough momentum as we kept finding half strides today and he was having to dig us out

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I 'liked' it but also sorry to hear about the setbacks you have had. Sounds like you've got a plan to get things on track though

Great updates there @Ambers Echo (I hope you get your saddle very soon!) and @millitiger

A lovely morning of dressage writing for me today.

 

[TheMule]

I 'liked' it but also sorry to hear about the setbacks you have had. Sounds like you've got a plan to get things on track though

Great updates there @Ambers Echo (I hope you get your saddle very soon!) and @millitiger

A lovely morning of dressage writing for me today.

Thanks you…. Training isn’t always perfect and sometimes you need to take a step back to learn….. thats what I'm telling myself anyway!

 

[Cloball]

I actually managed a quick ride after work for the first time this year D thought she'd thwarted my plan by carting herself in mud too. She was most disgruntled about having to work before her tea

 

[SEL]

Baby cob is back in walk work ..... and finding his own entertainment. Pony eating pigeons, riders on the road, the donkeys looking over the fence all equalled silly bouncing rubbish. Started to wish I'd remembered a neck strap.

Feeling sound which is a relief but very much needs to be trotting for my sanity!

 

[humblepie]

Not weekend but had a lesson yesterday, first for about 8 months. Wanted eyes on the ground on my lateral work and just getting myself beaten back into shape. Horse was decidedly looking for monsters in the bright sunshine but good to have some guidance again.