My Journey - and welcome to my Support Group :)

[helenc]

Hi mellymoo! Of course you are more than welcome! Pics of Jos please!!! And sorry if you have been on here for ever and everyone knows you, but please tell me your story too!

Well I am still working through the book, and am finding it brilliant. Yesterday I did the "Letting Go" exercise and had a bit of a breakthrough. I actually got a bit emotional and felt like a weight had been lifted that I didn't even know was there.

I am so excited to start tackling this, and start hacking out with Mick, some "us" time, and time to think, and time to sing out loud!

I am now at the point where I have decided on my goal that I want to work on, and have chosen a specific route that I would like us to go on. It's about 35-40 mins I reckon, out and back with a loop on the end.

2 weeks ago we went out and did our shorter out and back, which was about 25 mins, and ideally I would like something a bit longer than that, but not as long as the one I have chosen, but there isn't anything that wouldn't mean just turning round in the road and coming back, which I don't really want to do, so have chosen this other route.

What I am thinking of doing is having waypoints along the way to tick off as we get there, as a little mental "yay!"

But I would like a little advice.

Do you think I am trying to set too big a goal with a ride of that length? SHould I just go for a shorter one and turn round in the road do you think? Or am I better going for this longer one? I am thinking that if I get out there and feel like it's getting too much then I just reach the next waypoint and then turn round if I really feel like I can't go further. Or is this the wrong attitude and signifies that I set too large a goal to tackle all in one go?

I know I should set an acheivable goal, but how do I know if it's achievable?!

[wabuska]

What an inspiration... great stuff. I think hacking out alone is one of those things you have to put time into. It really is a matter of just doing it until it becomes the 'norm and you've faced down so many things that it's as relaxing as being on foot. That's how I feel. I too cried at the idea of riding on returning to it six years ago, but we hacked out from the get-go alone. Now on my second horse, I took my now eight year old daughter out for a three hour hack on Sunday with gallops, jumps, banks, brand new forest, the lot, and it was bliss.

[helenc]

Kanga that's very inspiring. Sounds like my dream hack.

I think you're right I need to practice. I remember when I first learnt to drive, and ride a motorbike, I was literally sick with nerves before every journey, even if it was only 10 mind to the station. Now I don't think twice about driving anywhere, or driving my horsebox anywhere!

I'm looking forward to the light evenings so we can get out during the week. It's too sporadic at the moment and I can't get any real momentum up!

[ladyndibs]

I was given a few of bits of advice a while ago,
Ride a circuit if you can, turning round on the spot can sometimes encourage napping.
Ride for at least 20 mins at a time if at all possible.
Keep riding.
They seem like really good suggestions, shame I can't do it lol.

[helenc]

Ladyndibs that is really useful advice thank you. I will definately add those to my list.

[rowanrachel]

Kanga that sounds like the best hack ever! Well done you for having such confidence- I think honey would LOVE a hack like that when we're at that stage one day! :-)

[rowanrachel]

Helenc I think the plan you have of ticking of 'yay' moments along the way is a great idea! I'm not the best one for advice as I'll be in your shoes soon and not even riding just now- but it sounds like your doing great with your 25mins another 10 onto that sounds manageable- believe in yourself and picture the whole thing going amazingly! :-)

[helenc]

Rowanrachel thank you im actually really excited about it. Today I looked at a map and had a think about what points to choose.
I also finished working through perfect confidence today. What an awesome book. So much to think about and so many tools in my toolbox now.

[rowanrachel]

I'm looking forward to reading it- should be here tomo hopefully! Let me know how the ride goes- I'm planning on mine and Honeys longest walk yet( in hand) at the weekend. We've only gone 5-10 mins out of the yard up till now so planning on trying to stay out for 20mins!
Let me know how you get on with yours. X

[helenc]

Will do be brave for each other.

[helenc]

Well I did it! A whole hour! Even went into the orchard and did a little loop there. Although mick seems to think that's the most exciting place in the world. I suppose I just need to keep taking him in there and doing boring things!
What do you think?

[Serenbean & Justine]

Wonderful!!!! Well done both of you X

[rowanrachel]

Feb 18, 2012 14:53:22 GMT 1 helenc said:

Well I did it! A whole hour! Even went into the orchard and did a little loop there. Although mick seems to think that's the most exciting place in the world. I suppose I just need to keep taking him in there and doing boring things!
What do you think?

Omg! How exciting! Well done you- what happened to the 35min loop? He he. How did it feel were you 'confident' ? X that's really super news you should be proud of yourself!
Ps my perfect confidence book just arrived so thats me for the weekend!

[helenc]

Hiya!
Thank you so much.
It felt amazing. It was super windy, but I just didn't want to make excuses, and I really, really wanted to do this.
Each point I got to I said out loud how well we were doing. I let mick stop and look at whatever he felt he needed to. He's allowed to look, but not react.
I talked to him and gave him loads of praise whenever he felt totally chilled and his head was down all cowboy like. I was walking along one hand on the reins like a cowboy!
We were passed by cars and cyclists and one driver stopped and wound down his window to say how beautiful mick is!
Had a chat with a cyclist beside us as we trotted up a hill.
When we turned into the orchard he felt totally different. Very excited, but I just thought about all the tools I have, and did a small loop in there in walk and then he was fine back out on the lanes again.
So I think I will keep repeating and going in the orchard every time I ride and gradually making the loops in there bigger and build it up. All in walk in there until its not exciting any more! And in company, and will ask my RI who rides him once a week for me to take him in there in walk too. I think that's the best way to tackle it. Slow steps building up in the same way as we are hacking alone.
I feel like this has broken a huge barrier for me. I know we will still have challenges, but am really enjoy this.
I'm so proud of us. And mick was just such a brave lad. He's wonderful.

[helenc]

Rowanrachel I didn't so much feel confident, as just calm and focused.
Really take your time working through the book. Its totally worth it.