Back in the saddle
Caroline
with some of her family. She's horse-mad and so as a surprise, her mum had
sneaked her riding kit into the car and I went hacking on Torrisdale beach
with her.
I'd hoped to go and have a lesson beforehand, but I'd been so busy that I
didn't have time, so when I booked I explained that I hadn't ridden for
nearly five years and the last time I'd ridden I'd had a nasty fall. No
problem, they said and when we turned up I was offered the choice of a quiet
ploddy cob or a 20-year-old Arab who was sane but more forward-going.
I had a rush of blood to the head and picked the Arab :o) Possibly a
mistake, because I was fairly white-knuckled for the whole hour, but I
cantered flat out down that beach and I didn't fall off, though Giles would
have yelled at me from here to Penzance about my position. I ended up
furious with myself, because my head knew what I should be doing and my body
just wanted to curl up and wait for the impact. I'd also forgotten that
although I might not have ridden for five years, I hadn't hacked for nearer
twenty and hacking's a lot faster...
Anyway, I did it, I'm pleased that I did it and I now have to decide whether
I say that's it, I didn't let it beat me and leave it there (because if I'm
being honest it wasn't the most enjoyable hour of my life) or whether I go
back, have a few lessons and then take up my neighbour's very kind offer of
riding his IDxClydesdale while he's off shore. I do feel that I've invested
too much time in learning to ride to simply let it drop, but I certainly
don't feel confident enough to be hacking out on my own on someone else's
pride and joy.
Think I'll go for a lesson when I can afford it and see how that feels....
Caroline
Jill
> I finally did it! My other half's eight-year-old great-niece came to
> stay with some of her family. She's horse-mad and so as a surprise,
> her mum had sneaked her riding kit into the car and I went hacking on
> Torrisdale beach with her.
Congratulations
<snipage of succesful if nervous ride>
> Anyway, I did it, I'm pleased that I did it
so you should be.
> and I now have to decide
> whether I say that's it, I didn't let it beat me and leave it there
> (because if I'm being honest it wasn't the most enjoyable hour of my
> life) or whether I go back, have a few lessons and then take up my
> neighbour's very kind offer of riding his IDxClydesdale while he's
> off shore. I do feel that I've invested too much time in learning to
> ride to simply let it drop, but I certainly don't feel confident
> enough to be hacking out on my own on someone else's pride and joy.
Don't set yourself up to trying to achieve too much.
Go for your lesson and see how it goes.
Then try another one.
With the winter coming in you may be able to arrange a gentle hack with the
stables one on one, where you can dictate the pace, place and time.
Its good to get back, but better to be on YOUR terms.
The lovely ID x can wait till the next time he is off shore. !!!!
Relax - enjoy - don't worry about "riding" - allow yourself to be a
passenger a few times, let yourself go and just reclaim that feeling of
being "with" a horse. and a solid little Highland might just be the right
partner for now. The chances are that your natural riding skills will creep
back in ~ instinctively, when they are ready, and when you have released the
blocks.
have fun !!!!
--
regards
Jill Bowis
Domestic Poultry and Waterfowl Solutions
Herbaceous; Herb and Alpine Nursery
Seasonal Farm Food
http://www.kintaline.co.uk
caroline
"Caroline" wrote
>I finally did it! My other half's eight-year-old great-niece came to stay
>with some of her family. She's horse-mad and so as a surprise, her mum had
>sneaked her riding kit into the car and I went hacking on Torrisdale beach
>with her.
> Anyway, I did it, I'm pleased that I did it and I now have to decide
> whether I say that's it, I didn't let it beat me and leave it there
> (because if I'm being honest it wasn't the most enjoyable hour of my life)
> or whether I go back, have a few lessons and then take up my neighbour's
> very kind offer of riding his IDxClydesdale while he's off shore. I do
> feel that I've invested too much time in learning to ride to simply let it
> drop, but I certainly don't feel confident enough to be hacking out on my
> own on someone else's pride and joy.
>
> Think I'll go for a lesson when I can afford it and see how that feels....
>
> Caroline
Excellent news!
I'd definitely go for the offer on the IDx, and I think you'll pleasantly
surprise yourself!
As Jill said, baby steps, have a few lessons, then some accompanied
hacks...and you'll be surprised how quick your confidence will come back!
This time next year I bet you'll re-read the post above and smile!
Caroline (the other one)
Kay Andrews
"Caroline" <caroline....@googlemail.com> wrote in message
news:h73bse$ph9$1...@news.eternal-september.org...
Matzi
IDx sounds like a sensable ploddy type, but go with what feels comfortable.
I nearly quit after a bad fall and break - endedwith panic attack on my fav
mare - but faced with the choice of never riding her again I decided to go
for it and I've never regreted it.
You don't have to ever try to be the mad, I'll ride th einsane one type
again - nothing wrong with knowing you bounce less as get older and sticking
to the sane rides! lol
Matzi