So proud of myself.

C

Cedars

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This is going to sound like a really stupid post to alot of people, but its a massive deal to me and I'm so proud of me =]

My lovely next door neighbour has organised a horse that I can hack out on regularly. I am terrified of hacking, for no real reason but I was bolted with on a xc course and that lead to a fear of open spaces. I guess I'm also nervous of being "free" - i.e. not in an enclosed arena.

Well, today! I:

Cantered around the outside of the field. I did a little canter, then pulled up to trot just to check I could, then really let him fly (bum out saddle type fly!). He pulled up lovely.

Walked through the forest on my own. My next door neighbour pointed me which way to go, she went the other way and I was on my own for about 10 mins!

I also did roads (could someone tell me if I'm meant to trot on the road all the time? Today I was walking when there were no cars, but trotting if there was a car so I could quickly get to the next passing place. is that right?).

I also did roads by myself without M watching me.

Gah =] SO blooming happy. Hopefully long may it continue!!

Sorry for the stupid post!
 
Well done :) Wish I had neighbours like that!

As for trotting on the road - I don't think there is a correct / incorrect way in terms of the highway code or anything. So long as you obey the rules of the road and are courteous to drivers you won't go wrong. You definitely don't HAVE to, and lots of people won't trot on the roads at all.

Have lots of fun and let us know how you get on next time :D
 
That is NOT a stupid post - far from it. You are right to be proud of yourself, those are massive achievements. Now bottle this feeling up ready for the next time. And well done, confidence is such a fragile thing and it's nice to hear of such a success story.
 
Hey, it's not a stupid post, we have all been there when we are out of control and it scares the hell out of you!
When I first got my lad (had him about 4 months now) and someone suggested we go across an open field, they said they wished they had a camera, as my face was a picture! I went sickly white and started in a cold sweat! I just did not know what he would do being an ex-race horse and I had not had him long and it was all new (although he had not shown any clues that he actually would bolt off and was well behaved). I did it though, and was so proud of myself, and I needn't of worried as he is an absolute gem!
 
Oh well done you - totally get where you're coming from and am inspired to do the same - you should be very proud - huge hurdle/s overcome today, excellent news. Nice large glass of wine to celebrate tonight - or 'champagne for everyone'!!
 
Haha =] just remembered that I also sat a spook at two cyclists that rode up behind us in the woods - without it totally knocking my confidence. Gah, am pleased. Greymare you DEFINITELY should go for it, I was so scared but its so amazing looking at the scenery etc =] xxxx
 
I think it's an absolutely wonderful post. Well done you.

It often seems that what might seem to others to be something really trivial, is way, way more important than winning a major prize even.

One of my endurance horses bolted blindly with me a couple of times a few years ago. Although neither of us were ever injured, I twice had to bail out at full gallop as no matter what I tried, I could not stop the horse. I carried on riding the horse, but less and less, not doing much at all, and hacking out was impossible as I was nervous and this particular horse needed someone with confidence to help him face his own fears. The situation spiralled until I lost my confidence with that particular horse completely.

I was in the fortunate situation that I had other horses to ride and was able to turn this particular horse away for a year. And after a year or so, I did get back on and start from scratch. And you know what? That year off had worked wonders, I had a completely chilled out horse who never threatened to bolt or panic any more. My confidence with him grew in leaps and bounds - each time we had a good ride, our confidence grew in each other. I eventually managed a very short 10 minute hack on the roads (like you Flamehead) and a few weeks after that, I managed a short canter along a (fenced) bridlepath. I finally plucked up the courage to enter a novice endurance ride on this horse (I was already participating in endurance anyway on my other horse) and, admittedly having found someone (a lovely 14 year old pony clubber by the way) to ride with on the day, we embarked upon our first venture out away from home.

There's a photo taken that day by the official ride photographer. A decent photo, but nothing stunning - but I've kept that photo and it's more important to me than nearly every other photo I have, because not only did we complete the ride and get a top grade - but the photo itself shows me cantering along the top of a ridgeway track, with no fences, hedges or barriers anywhere nearby, completely out in the wide open - the very first time I had actually had the courage to do that. My grin in the photo says it all!

So Flamehead, I know exactly how you feel. Our stories are so similar. I am really, really proud of you. Keep on smiling, it'll get even better from now on!
 
Thanks guys. Hadnt realised how many people struggled with hacking too! I suppose I felt it was silly cos there are people posting on here about how to get the confidence to jump buildings LOL!

xxxx
 
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