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Post by neighlass on Mar 16, 2009 11:50:14 GMT
Well I was very excited about goint to the lesson on the Saturday just gone as I had been set homework to be able to keep Major in trot all the way round the school as in my last lesson I had only just learned to trot down one side. I had practiced a couple of times last week and we were working well together. I got him to trot all the way round once but had progressed onto not holding on to the saddle when trotting so I was trying ot get that right as I knew that that was the key to steering! Anyway, I tacked him up, went to the school and after several attempts on trying to mount (as he was being a git) I eventually got there.  I walked him round on a loose reign until My RI got to the school and she walked in and I we stood whilst she finished chatting to the others who were waiting for a lesson. AS we were talking my YO came around the corner with the ickle baby donkey, Cupid. he was turning him out in a nearby field. Major was not a happy bunny! I am not sure whether he was scared of him, wanted to eat him or just wanted to be out with him as he likes to be turned out first thing and of course he had to work, but he just went a bit bonkers!. My RI grabbed the reigns as Major started to dance about. He was sort of dancing on the spot and as much as we tried to get his attention ack to us he wouldnt, he started to swing about whilst the RI had the reigns but she didnt want to get trampled and so had to try and put her own safety first too. I will admit I was quite scared as I have seen him in action before when he is on a mission (cricked neck time i'm afraid) ...  Anyway, I got off as I didnt want to spoil my confidence totally by me being tense and making things worse so my friend got on and worked him a bit but she said he was really hard to get going. She couldnt kick him on easy etc. For me he had been doing exactly as I told him and so after I felt assured he had calmed I got back on and walked him round. I got him into trot a little but it was very difficult. He wouldnt walk faster etc. I felt good that I dared to get back on him but I am just left feeling a little worried now as I obviously dont know him as well as I thought and I have really enjoyed having the confidence to ride him when I want, on my own in the school  . I just keep telling myself that if anything happens to sit tall and try to slow him. I know that you can never fully trust any animal as they can have their own agenda but I am just worried now. Am I going to have to have someone there to keep an eye on things every time now? Sorry for going on a bit and sounding like a big wuss |
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Post by neighlass on Mar 16, 2009 11:52:57 GMT
P.s the clip is of when i first got him and he hadnt been turned out in 4 months and he could see the other horses in the fields. Just wanted to show you what the big lad is like when he wants something!
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Post by fimacg on Mar 16, 2009 11:58:51 GMT
it happens to us all neighlass, sometimes discretion is better than valour, getting off is not something to worry about especially when you get back on. when you are more comfortable in the saddle and experienced you learn how to ride through these things and preferably without coming off!
But I loathe that skittish feeling, it is the worst feeling when you feel like you are sitting on a time bomb waiting to go off, you will get there and these things are sent to test us.
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Post by fleabitten on Mar 16, 2009 12:16:01 GMT
Ive been there neighlass and I still am sort of! Why dont you try turning him out with the donkey so he can get used to it? Princess absolutely loves them now she lives with them - instead of hanging out with a pony buddy, she faffs away off with the donkeys, lol! It was scary when Kieran saw a donkey out on a hack, he sort of pranced a bit and swung round to stare at it but went on rather reluctantly. He froze when it e-awed. I think you should go back and take time working around him and going nice and slow as if you have all the time in the world. Take him into the arena - you said he was being a git to mount, so start off with this - get a friend to help you and spend some time teaching him to stand still whilst you mount. Do it in steps. Also just spend time walking about the arena and doing some walk-halt-walk transitions. Ride some circles etc. Then next week you will feel more confident for your lesson as you will have been spending time on the basics  |
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Post by scattymare on Mar 16, 2009 12:32:01 GMT
Neighlass believe me, donkeys are scary monsters that have been designed to eat horses! At least thats waht my old horse used to think! There was a field of donkeys down the road and once a donkey came trotting up to the fence - me and my friend were halfway across the next field before I even realised what had happened!! And then Mollie just stood there shaking!
Just think of it this way - you got back on. Unfortunately there will always be something that our neds don't like. There is no harm in getting off until you find him calm enough to get back on. Maybe ask the YO to warn you if she is going to be bringing baby donk (he must be soooo cute) out whilst you are riding.
You're doing great. Don't let this set you back now x
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Post by scattymare on Mar 16, 2009 12:35:06 GMT
Oh and you are not a wuss AT ALL. Never think that. Theres lots of us on here who know what lack of confidence is like. For what you've done as a new starter to all this, I think you're an inspiration.
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Post by neighlass on Mar 16, 2009 13:18:44 GMT
I'm blushing, thank you. I have asked my friend (Betsybubbles on here) to come and just watch for a bit until I feel relaxed again as what I dont want is to create a problem by being tense myself! I have visions of falling off and not being able to move and no-one knowing about it! The day of the incident I dont feel like he was himself anyway. Normally when I am in his stable I duck under his head to get from one side to the other as he usually is at a diagonal and I cant get behind him but on this morning I had to really duck down low as his head wasnt as high as usual. My RI thinks that I am imagining this because of what happened and that the only problem was the donkey but either way, his head was a lot lower when feeding from the net than normal... I'm gonna take him to the donkey this evening whilst it is in its stable and let him see him. The donkey is OOOBER cute! I have some pics of him on my facebook so if anyone is on there and wants to add me, send me a pm  Thanks for the commenst guys, I will try and be confident! |
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Post by racaille on Mar 16, 2009 13:34:57 GMT
It's funny that a lot of horses are scared of donkeys at first. There's one near the club that used to send Paco skittering to the other side of the lane but now he just potters on by, although he'll raise his head is it starts to bellow, bl**dy thing. Sorry, not wild about donkeys. What I really want to say though NL, is don't beat yourself up about your 'loss of confidence'. What you did, ie to get off, was eminently sensible. Keep focusing on the things that have been a great success, like your trot work, rather than the things you wish you could have done better. Believe me, as a rider there will always be things you wish you had done better LOL!!!  So by all means draw a lesson from the things that don't go according to plan but don't dwell on them as you'll start to stress yourself out for next time, and nothing is a surer guarantee of disaster than getting tense and stressed! And yes, I am going to take my own advice too!!!!! |
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baymare
Apprentice Poo Picker
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Post by baymare on Mar 16, 2009 13:43:20 GMT
hi.i would just check the food you are feeding.my tb is on calm and condition and she is very managable.but i gave her a change as she was getting bored with the food.gave her a bag of cool mix and she was a different horse.i wont do that again.also we all have great days and then now and again we have a bad day.just keep at it and you will have many more good days.bay.
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Post by neighlass on Mar 16, 2009 14:05:26 GMT
hi.i would just check the food you are feeding.my tb is on calm and condition and she is very managable.but i gave her a change as she was getting bored with the food.gave her a bag of cool mix and she was a different horse.i wont do that again.also we all have great days and then now and again we have a bad day.just keep at it and you will have many more good days.bay. Hiya, The only thing I have changed is that I have stopped his morning feed but everything else is the same. I dont feel that this should have affected anything but am on a "review period" with it at the moment... |
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Post by Becca on Mar 16, 2009 18:18:31 GMT
It sound like you did the right thing NL. like the other said, nothing wrong with getting off as long as you get back on, the fact you had a friend make him work after prancing about is good too, it will mean he doesn't think ooo if I sance she gets off and i get away with no work. To repeat the others again donkeys are actually little horse eating aliens in a cute body to fool humans Spring grass will make them all a bit fresh, good idea taking him to meet the donkey though, maybe take him in his bridle in case he has a little paddy. Just think, it's done now, on to the next ride  |
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Post by duckles on Mar 16, 2009 19:45:40 GMT
To be honest, I think you did great. No need to lose your confidence in him, he got a bit upset by the donkey but you sorted it- Well done. I think you and Major are a real team
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Post by brigadier on Mar 16, 2009 20:11:30 GMT
Ditto duckles- well done you handled it well- where do you think you went wrong?
Safest to get off if the horse is playing up and you are still learning the basics. He's a genuine sort your chap but still a horse and donkeys can be very exciting to meet!
And I think the stuff you are working on between lessons is perfect. If the scarey stuff happens again and theres no one to advise you then get off again. At some point you wont even notice the strops.
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Post by neighlass on Mar 16, 2009 21:29:50 GMT
Thank you so much for all the comments, they have really helped a lot I decided in the end not to ride tonight for a few reasons - 1) - He had been a tinker in the morning and I felt like groundwork may be the way to go to establish who is boss as well as lots of grooming before hand. 2) I didnt have much time left before I had to pick my daughter up and I didnt want any angst over that in case it started me being het up in other ways (hope that makes sense  ) 3) I wanted to feel like everything was right with me before getting on him and I didnt feel like it was! Nothing to do with the yard, just myself. So all in all I didnt ride but not because I was avoiding it, but because it wasnt the right time. The groundwork went ok although he seemed a lil down. Maybe he just wanted some rest?!!! Will defo ride him tomorrow night and I have another lesson booked for Thursday. I took him to see the donkey and he was just sniffing at him over the top of his door. It was actually a lovely site to see! where do you think you went wrong I feel like I should maybe not have done lil squeals and panicked but I guess I am only human and we all deal with things differently. I maybe shouldnt have got off him once he had stopped prancing but I just felt he may have still been a bit wired up about it and didnt want to knock my confidence by staing on him then falling off or something but really I feel like I should have juststayed on and been brave? I dont know... Thank you again everyone for the advice, I guess I just needed telling that i'm not alone and to just dust yourself down and keep going! |
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Post by kitcat on Mar 17, 2009 8:26:21 GMT
NL I am the worlds worst for shouting foul smelling poopy when things are a bit scarey. Every year it's my new years resolution that I will not do it any more, and every year I keep doing it. So don't worry, you are not alone and well done you for getting back on.
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Post by rainbow on Mar 17, 2009 9:01:16 GMT
I dont think u are a wuss at all either. At least u did get back on though! But if u ever feel like ur tenseing up or worried while onboard, Sing. you might feel a little daft but it controls your breatheing, and helps u to relax a bit, then u wont be so tense. i do it when i feel nervous as i havnt got greatest confidence although sam has brought it on loads! but it certainly works.
Hope tonight goes better for you. *Hugs and karma*
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ceej
Administrator 
im back.... :)
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Post by ceej on Mar 17, 2009 10:44:05 GMT
the secret is defo not to focus on it and start thinking the what ifs. Absolutely no shame in geting off - I jumped off harry only on sunday coz we were wlking up a track with four yearlings on the other side who were going hell for leather and bucking and farting and snorting! Harry got (understandably) really excited - so I jumped off and got back on at the end!!! No point staying on and scaring yourself!
And yes donkey are scary!!!
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Post by neighlass on Mar 17, 2009 22:05:16 GMT
I got back on Major this evening but he was avoiding something in the bottom corner of the school and skipped to one side and it un-nerved me so I got off after my friend led me round a few times in hand. I need to get over this!!! Am gonna try again tomorrow night but will walk him round in hand first then will get him listening to me in hope he forges about the thing in the fields.  ( |
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Post by brigadier on Mar 17, 2009 22:19:41 GMT
Its fine to just ride whilst your instructor is there for a bit if you are feeling jumpy. that will get your confidence going again. Lunge in between or try long reining. dont despair weve all been through this and you will get through it- its a mental block, thats all!
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Post by neighlass on Mar 18, 2009 20:04:31 GMT
Just an update! I brought Major in and he was chewed to shreds by the flies. I had to clean him up and smother him in cream etc and was unsure whether to ride him but decided to as it hd cooled down and the flies had gone by the time I was ready. Whilst I was waiting for the school, one of the other girls on the yard had fallen off during a canter and was in bad way but I didnt let this put me off! I had 2 options - walk round the arena with Major and show him the scary corner then get on or let my friend get on first and take any edge he may have off him before i ride him. I decided to go for the first option - I HAD to do this! He was a lil wary of the corner and so I made him stand and look at it, walked him round then trotted him round in hand. He was fine so I got him to the mounting block and got on first time. I walked him round in loose reins then built him up into a trot. We did fine! I trotted him round a few times and after about 20 mins I got off, leaving it on a positive note. I dont think he is at his best at the moment, maybe it is the flies and so on making him a bit fed up, I dont know but I am just gonn keep an eye on him. Either way, I did it and I have a lesson tomorrow night so will let you know how I get on |
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Post by kitcat on Mar 19, 2009 9:29:07 GMT
Well done to you and Major.
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Post by Jen on Mar 19, 2009 17:26:26 GMT
woohoo!!!!!  |
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Post by neighlass on Mar 19, 2009 19:50:20 GMT
Thanks guys! I had my lesson tonight and basically she was quite impressed and has given me homework to now be able to trot and change the rein whilst in trot - arrrggggghhhh!!!!   |
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Post by fleabitten on Mar 19, 2009 21:12:29 GMT
neighlass - why dont you see if you can get a fly sheet for major to make him a bit more comfortable? gel fly spray is good for the face and sheath and then smother him in spray as well! |
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Post by neighlass on Mar 20, 2009 10:02:20 GMT
Hello and thank you for that. I actually got him a fly mask yesterday with a detachable nose piece (as he has a pink nose) and so I will try him out with that when he gets hot and bothered again. Today is fairly chilly and not much sun so have left it off for today. I also got some repellent cream but it is fairly runny so what I have done is put a good load of nappy cream on with a covering of the repellent on top, so that he has a repellent and a guard against them attacking. He is not good with me touching inside his ears so I am working on that by going around his ears with the stuff and then when he lets me do that I fuss him. He was good about it this morning so will se (I only put a bit on so it wont burn him) but the smell may still repel the critters!  Will keep you updated on all scores! |
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. I just keep telling myself that if anything happens to sit tall and try to slow him. I know that you can never fully trust any animal as they can have their own agenda but I am just worried now. Am I going to have to have someone there to keep an eye on things every time now?
Always saddle your own horse
for so much hard work we thank ye!!
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