Why am I not looking forward to riding?

[shamrock2021]

Winter time is difficult I have a serious lack of interest in my riding in winter once it gets dark . A lot of people do in my previous yard people would cut there riding down a lot due to lack of interest in riding in the dark. I could click perfect with a horse but have no interest in riding in the winter.

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

Just wanted to pop back to this thread as I really appreciated the different factors people suggested and also to hear that it doesn't seem that unusual to feel how I have been feeling. I've continued reflecting on what might apply to me.

The last few rides have been more positive and today went really well - someone mentioned goals above and I think that is such a good point: having a sense of reward/achievement can be helped by having clear goals, even little ones. Today I went for my first solo hack and went in the school briefly afterwards and did my first bit of solo 'schooling'. I say schooling, we just did WTC on each rein, some 20m circles and trotted over a couple of poles, but the point was it was something I've not done before and felt unsure about. Next time I'll set another little goal.

Even though I love having someone to chat to, riding out alone was good for 'bonding' with share horse by having time with just him. It was nice feeling like we were on a little adventure together and I spent a lot of the time chatting away to him.

Lessons are helping, including hacking out with my instructor. I like that she cuts through the worry and helps me get into a space of thinking about how I am going to ride instead of sitting there thinking 'I hope x, y, z doesn't happen'. I like that she's helping me get in tune with share horse and I can already feel the difference when we are out and about (I learned that trotting on early in a hack is good for him to loosen up, and good for me to calm my nerves, so we both feel better!)

Finally I think I'm getting better on the ground with him. To be fair to myself I don't think he always makes life easy for me - not that he is bad at all but he can be quite fidgety and I seem to use the word 'stand' quite a lot! Today particularly so as he had to come out riding with me before turnout which I guess was not on his wishlist for the day. I think previously this would have got me nervous about getting on but I've got better at ignoring him, moving him back/sideways when needed, and praising him when he is doing what I want. All adding up to a better experience and not cultivating more worry about 'how will he behave when I ride?' (the answer to which is actually that he behaves very well).

Sorry, that turned into a huge ramble! Nice to share some thoughts anyway.

 

[Errin Paddywack]

Very good that you are managing to progress. Sounds very positive.