Tilda
Well-Known Member
As some of you may be aware I had a really nasty fall off my mare last year on a hack resulting in the loss of my spleen and a huge loss of confindence for us both.
We have slowly made our way back to schooling confidently and even a bit of jumping but hacking has been a struggle. I have been hacking for the last few months but only with two other very safe horses and if my mare misbehaved in anyway (she can be spooky and a bit nappy) I was allowing her to hide behind the others.
Well a few weeks ago I was out with one of the 'safe' horses who decided she didn't like the look of some flowers and turned for home. Now I must stress this was only in walk and she was by no means out of control but I just froze as this was what happened when I had my accident a pony I was with spun round and galloped for home and my horse followed him. This upset my mare as she needs confidence from me but I got so scared. I was so upset as I thought we were making progress and we took a huge step back.
Anyway 14th July was a year to the day of my accident and I made a decision I either get on with things and ride my horse like I know I can or I sell her. I really didn't want to sell her as I adore her and I feel she has become a much happier, relaxed horse since I've had her so I had to get my confidence back and go for it.
Since then I have been for 2 hacks with a group of 4 or 5 horses. We have had some sticky moments and Tilly has been far from an easy ride but I have got on and ridden her like I did before the accident and have thoroughly enjoyed myself. I feel like I am back to my old self and she is responding very positively to it in fact we led the ride tonight from start to finish with very little spooking
Am so relieved as I now feel we can make it!
Sorry that ended up very long!
We have slowly made our way back to schooling confidently and even a bit of jumping but hacking has been a struggle. I have been hacking for the last few months but only with two other very safe horses and if my mare misbehaved in anyway (she can be spooky and a bit nappy) I was allowing her to hide behind the others.
Well a few weeks ago I was out with one of the 'safe' horses who decided she didn't like the look of some flowers and turned for home. Now I must stress this was only in walk and she was by no means out of control but I just froze as this was what happened when I had my accident a pony I was with spun round and galloped for home and my horse followed him. This upset my mare as she needs confidence from me but I got so scared. I was so upset as I thought we were making progress and we took a huge step back.
Anyway 14th July was a year to the day of my accident and I made a decision I either get on with things and ride my horse like I know I can or I sell her. I really didn't want to sell her as I adore her and I feel she has become a much happier, relaxed horse since I've had her so I had to get my confidence back and go for it.
Since then I have been for 2 hacks with a group of 4 or 5 horses. We have had some sticky moments and Tilly has been far from an easy ride but I have got on and ridden her like I did before the accident and have thoroughly enjoyed myself. I feel like I am back to my old self and she is responding very positively to it in fact we led the ride tonight from start to finish with very little spooking
Am so relieved as I now feel we can make it!
Sorry that ended up very long!
