|
|
Post by racaille on Jul 10, 2008 9:30:52 GMT
It was bound to come .... Rackers is now coming into gentle work and I've been using The Teenager as a crash test dummy ;D. He's been lovely in the arena, really willing and sweet and trying hard to get his feet in the right place etc But now the YO says it's time I got on him and I have to take him for a little hack tomorrow (with someone else obviously). But ..... I don't want to! I'm scared. He has reared hugely out once (The Teenager very wisely decided to bail out). But it's not even that. I just don't feel confident enough. I know I'll have to do it and I'm bricking it. It doesn't help that Paco is working really, really well at the moment and I feel we have a real understanding. I don't know why but this makes me less enthusiastic about riding other horses. The YO keeps offering me the mad mare as well a lovely little chap to exercise and while once I would have jumped at the chance, now I just want to stick with safe old Paco. Aaaargh, this must be old age .....  |
|
|
|
Post by aimee on Jul 10, 2008 9:39:01 GMT
You will have to just bite the bullet sooner or later. I do know how you feel though I am very comfortable with my horsey and even though I have to ride other horses at college I just cant be bottomd, I just don't seem as enthusiastic as I am with Fern. Weird isn't it! And it can't be the old age if I'm like that! Can someone lead/walk next to you tomorrow just for a little confidence boot until you feel better? I found that helped me loads confidence-wise when I first rode/broke Peanut.
|
|
|
|
Post by trojanwarrior on Jul 10, 2008 11:26:50 GMT
Have you ridden him in the school? If not then I'd start there, possibly getting on after The Teenager has ridden him first. Don't feel pushed into taking him out for a hack. If you don't want to do it, then don't. He's going to sense if you're unsure & if he's like most horses I know, will play up on this. Will someone else take him out on his first hack with you riding the nanny horse? I know exactly how you feel about having little enthusiasm towards riding other horses. I felt the same when I rode a horse where W used to live. Other people's horses are never as nice as your own  |
|
|
|
Post by Becca on Jul 10, 2008 14:19:52 GMT
TW is right, ride him in the school after the teeenager has worn him out a bit, don't go out on him till you are ready as you will make him nervous which will in turn make you more nervous.
he is going to be fresh if he is only just coming back into work, maybe wait till he is settled in
|
|
|
|
Post by brigadier on Jul 10, 2008 20:10:35 GMT
Been there and its not old age- its just being comfortable with the familiar! Once youve done it once itll be fine, it will just take that little push for the first time then youll wonder what all the fuss was about!
good luck and let us know how it goes
brig
|
|
|
|
Post by racaille on Jul 10, 2008 21:53:17 GMT
Brig, you're so right. I need that push and the YO was pointing out that the work I do there (to pay for his keep) is pointless if I don't at least get on the beastie. And he's going to be turned away again next week, after a week of gentle work, so it's now or no time soon................ But yes, I can try him out in the arena first etc but I think what she has in mind is a slow (very slow) hack out with the two trainee instructors (but I know the YO will come with me if I am pathetic, as I am). But ...... arrrrrrghhhhhhhhhhhh, I'm gonna die........................ How did someone like me - once a kamikazi rider - ever get to this level of patheticness? And why can I ride the mad mare but not my own sweet boy?  ? |
|
|
|
Post by maximum on Jul 11, 2008 9:24:12 GMT
it will be fine. it is BECAUSE he is your little boy, if the mad mare didnt work out you could walk away but not with your own.
a sure it will be fine as Brig says you need that wee push to yourself and you will be fine.
|
|
|
|
Post by racaille on Jul 12, 2008 7:16:21 GMT
I DID IT!!!!!! ;D
And I'm still here to tell the tale ....... Went out with the two trainees and Racaille was great, he jogged a bit but I tried to block him with my back, which worked, while keeping the reins long otherwise he gets overexcited. We did a bit of trot too but then one of the other horses lost a shoe so we headed for home, so were only out for 25 minutes.
Then I walked him around the XC course to have a look, no problems, before heading back into the club on his own, and he didn't bat an eyelid. Bottled out of cantering him, but that will come now I'm over the initial omigod.
The farrier was there already and he sat up when he saw Rackers, in ecstacy over his feet. He did warn me that he shouldn't do too much work on stones but said that other than that he should be fine barefoot. Brilliant news! ;D
Now Racaille goes back into his field again for a while, having been a very good boy this week. The crash test dummy is miffed that I liked him - he is sooooooo comfortable - but I've offered her a deal: if she does very well in her brevet (GCSEs but a year before UK) next year I'll give him to her. If that doesn't motivate her, nothing will.
|
|
|
|
Post by zara on Jul 12, 2008 21:10:25 GMT
Well done! I'm so proud of you ;D Zx
|
|
|
|
Post by zara on Jul 12, 2008 21:11:04 GMT
PS Your daughter should be well chuffed that she has such a great Mum xx
|
|
|
|
Post by dannyboy on Jul 13, 2008 13:14:02 GMT
Well done - you are a true inspiration to me - you overcome overwhelming fear and apprehension and come out he other side smiling. I wish I could be as courageous as most of you horsey people.
|
|
|
|
Post by Blonde Donkey on Jul 13, 2008 13:22:18 GMT
YEY!!!
well done you
|
|
|
|
Post by trojanwarrior on Jul 13, 2008 15:16:54 GMT
Yay you did it! ;D
Wow, I wish I'd had that incentive when I was doing my exams.
|
|
|
|
Post by florence on Jul 13, 2008 15:31:12 GMT
Yay you did it! ;D Wow, I wish I'd had that incentive when I was doing my exams. Yes, I think an incentive like that would have made all the difference to my measly results! ;D Very, very, very well done!! |
|
|
|
Post by maximum on Jul 13, 2008 16:29:34 GMT
great stuff! well done you.
|
|
|
|
Post by duckles on Jul 13, 2008 19:07:33 GMT
Racaille, of course you were fine! Racaille sounds really sweet. I think you were just nervous because he is your little baby and you want it to go perfectly. I knew you'd love riding him. You made an interesting point though, about not being bothered about riding other horses as you were so content with Paco. Made me think but perhaps that is another thread
|
|
|
|
Post by brigadier on Jul 13, 2008 20:26:03 GMT
Great news- well done- and what an incentive for the daughter- she is probably buried in her books right now!
brig
|
|
|
|
Post by kitcat on Jul 14, 2008 9:12:43 GMT
Well done, it's good to hear that you enjoyed it so much. Your daughter is very lucky.
|
|
Always saddle your own horse
for so much hard work we thank ye!!
?
