winter blues?

[cobsrule]

have been feeling a bit down recently, im not sure if it is the winter blues or not
i have a cob x welsh who is ok to handle but in the past has been troublesome, but we have overcome this and he is generally good to handle now, if not a bit grumpy now winter has arrived!
in the arena he is quite quiet but hacking is a bit hit and miss, depending on his mood
he used to nap (spin and canter for home) out hacking, but again overcame this, but it has reared its ugly head in the school (his pal went out the school and he ran full pelt to the gate and only just stopped in time - very scary!) resulting in me falling off and dipping my confidence
since we have overcome quite a bit i feel like i have to "complete the journey" with him (if i am capable) he is still quite young (nearly 6) so a lot of it people say is the "kevins" but i dont know if i should continue, it seems to be one thing after the other and i know it would be a huge sense of achievement getting him all sorted tbh he wasnt the right horse for me as he has a few issues from his past that i didnt find out about until 6 months after i got him but we have improved, but with the issues i dont know if i can risk my confidence, i am getting some lessons but once the instructor is gone its back to the drawing board again. i am a student so don't have the money the get regular lessons/send away for schooling etc

[fth]

hi there-- one thing I would suggest is to take the pressure off yourself -- although you can't afford an instructor -- perhaps you CAN afford Kelly's book PErfect manners -- this will give you a LOT of ideas for groundwork to do in this darker time of year -- which will help you and your horse get a really good relationship going

these include exercises you can do in tenm inutes -- and will have a gREAT impact on his ground manners and attitude towards you

this improved relationship will increase his confidence in you -- which will in turn make him happier to be with you vs wanting to be with other horses -- so it will have good results

have a look at the book -- and think about taking the pressure off yourself and enjoying the time with him for the winter

cathy

[mc]

Oh Dear- I agree with Cathy. It can be so hard to keep trudging on- I use Kelly' Books and Monty's Uni to keep my spirits up. With one of mine I seem to take a step forward and then a few back- It dosn't help that his half brother is a saint who backed himself and the comparison is depressing. My two are both 6 and half now and I suspect in the long run the one I have to work at and with all the time will be the better horse and companion because we will forge a relationship based on comunication and trust rather than on the acceptance of what is happening offered quietly by the other one. Even if my courage has been nailed to the sticking place to be anything other than sore!