What Have Your Horses and Ponies Inspired You to Do?

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Arizahn

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As title, pictures welcome...

My yearling has inspired me to become a better rider, and to try and get over my fear of jumping, as I really want to be able to back him myself once he turns four! Plus he seems to enjoy jumping - hurling himself over poles when loose schooled, and tackling a rather deep ditch in his old home to go wandering the night before I had him vetted :D

My share horse has inspired me to keep working on my lower leg strength, as he will not go beyond crawl unless the rider gives the correct aids! He makes me work hard, but always looks after me, and I owe him loads for this :)

Hypocritically, I have no pictures at this time.
 
Well I'm not so sure its inspiration, more like my little horse has forced me to ride more positively into a jump. He lacks confidence so he seeks it from me. If I'm lacking it we just don't get over the jump. If I'm nervous I go wooden so I have to pretend to be brave for it to work.
I'm not prepared to post photo's of me jumping! Its rarely a pretty sight
 
My share horse has inspired me to get out and have a go at eventing. It was always the plan with my boy when I got him 9 years ago but after years of falling off him jumping (not his fault as we later found out he had foot problems) my confidence was rock bottom.

I then took on my best friend's horse as a share as she had two young kids and not enough time and despite knowing him for 12 years and knowing he was a gent, I kept putting off doing things with him as I was terrified. Then about 2 years ago he went lame and was on box rest for 6 months and when I couldn't do anything I suddenly realised he was my best chance of doing it as I'll never trust another horse like I trust him. I'm still terrified most of the time but this year I've done the BRC 80 qualifier, just missing out on the championships, a BE80 and an unaffiliated 90 and I'm so glad I did.

He'll be 18 next year so I've decided it's now or never and have picked out 3 I want to do next summer. I can't really afford any more. He does a decent dressage test, showjumps clear every time and as long as I don't ride like a numpty usually goes clear XC. We'll always get loads of time faults as he's built for comfort not speed but I don't care, just doing it is a huge achievement for me.

Will try to add some photos now but have been struggling to get them to work recently.
 
My horse has inspired me to become a more positive person and to reveal my emotions. He has inspired me to learn to accept what I feel and to be truthful about it with others. He has inspired me to trust more, to relax more, to be braver, work harder and to be assertive, when necessary, without becoming aggressive. He has also inspired me to spend tons of time outdoors and to appreciate the cold seasons as well. :)

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I started riding in June 2011. I'd always loved horses but never made the time or had the courage to learn to ride. It was always something other people did. It's taught me so much about me as well as about horses. The biggest change in me and my riding came when I was moved on to a very sensitive and tense horse at the RS. Somehow the anxiety in me clicked with the anxiety in him and to ride him I had to stay very calm and relaxed. He inspired me to look at a different way to ride, french classical, and taught me how our moods affect the horse. Because of him I went on to do a weekend equine massage course which has opened my eyes to a whole new horse experience and just how special and complex they are. It also keeps me sane, calm and fit. It's also messed up my shoulder but I'll have to forgive them that. right?
 
I guess I have to say he is inspiring me to man up a bit! I'm a total wuss with a hot headed, super sharp, wizzy, feisty, super sensitive horse but who is talented, intelligent, kind and willing to work his heart out for me. So I'm having to learn to really ride him, to get my leg on, my hands up, stop thinking of the 'what if's', pop the fences up and to challenge ourselves...and most importantly to do it because we both enjoy it.
Trying new sports:
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Riding with no tack:
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Braving some cross country:
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Improve my position:
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I love him to death and wouldn't swap him for any other horse in the world, even if he tests my nerve, my patience and my luck on a regular basis!
 
fburton said:
Er, carry on living? Just a small thing, but important to me. :)
Click to expand...

I'd have to agree with this I think. Since I got my horse back off loan last month, I've changed lots. Most importantly I am happy, I have a reason to get up each morning (and get up EARLY at that!!) To go and muck him out and give him some fuss before i turn him out. I had got into some really unhealthy ways which I have no desire to continue now I have my horse.

My first horse has also taught me a lot. I know that I'm not the best rider in the world, but what he has taught me has given me goals, the main goal of saving to buy an ex racer or possibly ex polo pony to retrain (and to keep, I know I'll get attached!).

So yeah I have goals and stuff to look forward to. It feels really good.
 
My boy has inspired me to go out to events and have fun competing, and not be nervous and shy about what we can do. He's opened up my world, built my confidence and self belief and helped me to make loads of new friends. I'm pushing 60 and never thought I'd be where I am now.
 
Get through a summer of awful treatment for illness. Just putting my hands in their manes and smelling that lovely horse smell got me out of bed most days.
 
Lucy has got me through a couple of the worst years & out the other side
she is making me completely change my way of riding & training
She gives me the motivation to always keep learning because theres always something you can improve :)
 
My two ponies have inspired me to be more active. I am hugely overweight but they never go without anything they need including 5:30am checks on work days when previously I would have rolled out of bed ten minutes before I had to leave for work. I am certainly a little fitter, stronger and more energised

Sometimes I read this forum and think I am not doing a good job which is a bit depressing, I'm not too confident and take things to heart sometimes

I've just been out in the pouring rain to check them again and reassure myself that all is well - a few years ago I wouldnt have been at all keen to get up and go anywhere on a rainy winters evening!

I adore them and owe so much to them
 
Donovan has inspired me to get up and get on with it! Before we bought him, I had basically given up. On everything. I had been off sick from work for almost 5 months after my accident with benson, and had got very very depressed. Donovan gave me a reason to carry on, and has given me my life back.
 
I have been inspired to give them their own bank account with a monthly direct debit for a fixed amount.
If they overspend on a rug ripping/garden looting/caravan window breaking (yes they really did that) then there are cutbacks.
 
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