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Post by Casper on Dec 23, 2005 14:20:34 GMT 1
So what about you Wild Rover - are you a confident rider? If not what issues do you have?
I have a fear of being bolted with on the roads. Completely irrational as has never happened to me, but since I returned to riding after 17 years this has been a major hang up for me. So if you are in Northants and see someone out on a gorgeous bright bay ISH singing Ba Ba Black Sheep and trying to smile through the fear to thank you for slowing down, that is me!
My confidence has come on leaps and bounds this year though thanks to what I learned at the two Mark Rashid clinics I was lucky enough to spectate at, moving Bobby to a friend's place where we do a lot of riding and just to be honest by getting on and riding.
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js
Grand Prix Poster
'Tilly' - 1981 - 2010. Always In My Heart
Posts: 1,116
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Post by js on Dec 23, 2005 16:07:06 GMT 1
This all makes me feel normal again and able to breathe a sigh of relief. I got back in the saddle again in September after a gap of 17 years, even though I own three shetties (pets!). I've had some great rides, but definitely a couple of 'sticky' moments too when I wondered what the hell I was doing this all for again.
But.......... it's additive. And I won't stop. Intuition and communication play a huge part, but I guess the nature of the beast is unpredictable as well which also makes it nervewracking.
Thanks fellow DG'ers for making me relax a bit more about my nerves. What a healthy thread.
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Post by holi on Dec 23, 2005 17:18:22 GMT 1
My problem is just going out - I need two horses really - one to compete on and one to hack as I'm reduced to a wreck at the thought of being 'out there on my own'! Now what is the problem there.........(money!!)............
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Persianhorse
Grand Prix Poster
The picture is taken from a figure found carved on a bone 5000 years ago in ancient Persia.
Posts: 3,405
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Post by Persianhorse on Dec 27, 2005 20:50:35 GMT 1
I think Wildrover should not answer so the conversasion go on I think its better this way so every one can tell their experiences.
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Post by Val (Toons&co) on Dec 28, 2005 10:03:52 GMT 1
Interesting. So unless you're young, bold and pretty irresponsible total confidence doesn't exist? I've never been confident. Always put it down to the fact I was not allowed to ride as a child so was pretty much an adult when I started - with the lack of confidence that seems indeed to go with age.
However, a few things have made me better: the first one was to go on a couple of riding Holidays. Riding for hours every day made the world of difference. I even started jumping! The second one was switching to western. Nothing to do with the style (tho it is more relaxed and comfortable) but all to do with the instructor - I was lucky to find a great one really.
I have now reached the stage where I appear confident to others. They ask me to start their horse or give them lessons (I usually refuse). But there are days when I don't feel like riding (sometimes I'm just lazy, others I'm too nervous), I'm totally unable to compete (far too nervous) and it doesn't take much for me to turn to a wreck! I'm lucky to have easy horses (apart from a few 'happy' bucks, and a bit of spookiness, Toons has always been pretty reliable and Jaz is near bomb-proof. Just hope Spirit won't be too much for me) as I think I'd have given up if I had to deal with some of the cases I see around me.
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Post by mandal on Dec 28, 2005 13:13:07 GMT 1
Val, I spent my childhood in the saddle almost literally then had a long break. I was very confident as a child and am quite/very nervous now. I think being less confident is due mainly ( stress not wholly) to age, we are more aware of what can go wrong as we get older!
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Post by wildrover on Dec 29, 2005 23:26:11 GMT 1
Well I did use to have no probs sitting on a stange horse ...... until one bolted with me. Was in a sand paddock so not a major prob after I was satisfied he was not going to try to take the fence, as there was a considerable drop on both sides.
Ever since, when I sit on a stange horse I am a bit more shy. Did speak to a professional rider and instructor about it and she said she would never sit on a strange horse unless she has either seen it being ridden or lunged it. This too was from experience as one misbehaved with her and put her out of work for four months.
BTW, I stopped him by completely giving him a loose rein .... but that was after a number of laps of the paddock and trying to put the brakes on using the reins ......... I remembered a guy telling me once, the more you pull the faster they will run and the way to handle it is to give the rein ........ mind you .... not quite so easy when your on board a bolter.
The instructor did say though, that having had the experience of one bolting and managing to stop it was itself a positive thing. If there was a next time, you might handle it better as a result.
Kinda hoping there aint gonna be a 'next time'.........
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Post by Mariaana on Dec 29, 2005 23:33:49 GMT 1
I'm sorry wildrover but I cannot debate much on this issue - I must admit I am a total whimp with mad horses, but I have learned to hide it well.
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Post by wildrover on Dec 30, 2005 13:25:20 GMT 1
Marianna - not sure I understand your point.........
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