Going out in company again.

[kya]

Didn't sleep a wink last night. Snorkled the Rescue Remedy and had a decaffinated coffee. Why do I do this to myself. Don't want to dissapoint my friend (again) so we're off to the woods. Unless I'm in front and temporarily lose my mind, I'm not cantering. I'm not sure who I'm more worried about, my horse or hers! Will check back in.

Pant, pant... bovered.

[steff]

Good luck! I'm sure it will all go fine!

Well done - decaffinated coffee.

[julz]

sit back and enjoy the sunshine........

we have a new livery in out feild....owned by a 14yrs girl, we went through the XC paddock yesterday, and as soon as she realised that's where we were headed, she started to get a bit panicky..saying her pony will take off, etc... just said to her, if you sit there and get all wired up, you'll transmit that to her, and then she'll get panicky.... so made her loosen her reins (she'd shortend them by this point) sit up, and relax.... result 3 relaxed horses walking through the exciting feild!!

[Casper]

Have a great ride Kanga, look forward to hearing all about how well it went later x

[wozzer]

Will be checking in later to how things are! xx

[kya]

Hi there... here I am.... arms and legs all attached. My buddy was fine about a walking, trotting hack and we did the long cantering track at a brisk trot, me in front, no bother... Blue snatching a little at the reins. I was hovering on the brink of going for it, but not quite there. Confided in my buddy completely about my nerves, fear of bolting, not wanting to ruin Blue etc and so on. She was very sympathetic (pride of course still makes me wince inside) and she did come up with a good idea. We have a very gentle Swedish friend who is an excellent rider. She suggests we ask her to ride Blue with her on her horse and do the cantering tracks a few times front and behind to get Blue's head around it. I think this might be a good thing. Buddy says she will couch it 'come riding, my friend will lend you her horse' rather than telling her about my nerves. She will of course tell her Blue is not great about cantering behind etc. Might be a plan!? Well, we did lead the ride, trotted out in front in open country, so not a bad finish. Phew... sweet tea and biccie please.

[Casper]

Sounds like a very good plan to me Kanga. Glad you enjoyed your ride today, and that Blue was a good boy. Good for you for sticking with what felt right. Sweet tea and a biccie on its' way...

[rhillahorse]

Well done kanga!

[HFM]

well done! sounds good to me...

also it would be brill for you if swedish lady came back and said 'oh he was fine' as itl go a long way to relaxing you for your next ride...

sounds like a plan batman!

[kya]

After Easter... this woman has children at home... I'll get things together. We were discussing how to make it work with this other lady's four month old baby, and my buddy said 'look, we'll make it work somehow. So she's on-board to really help me.' She told me this morning she wants to get me going so that we can box to other woods and go out for really long rides. Ideally, I would love to do that, and if I can get past the catering in company issue, we can do it. This is the wall of my fear I'm fighting now and like the rest of you, I can do it. If I can hack out through roads, woods and field on my own and go at all gaits alone, I can do this. I don't have great faith in my riding buddy, but that's largerly me. Yes, I would like her horse to be more solid and under control, but it's my need for control that is the real trouble.

Look at this lovely horse... how could I go back now.. ignore seat, hollow back and ill fitting saddle...was testing it out.

[wozzer]

What a fab pic!

Personally, I don't think you need someone else to ride your horse (you're doing so well you know), but if you think this would work for you then of course that's your choice, and I wish you success Remember, there will still have to be a first time for you ;D

I wonder if Blue would be more trusting with his mum on board, and that you only go for it when it feels right. You don't have to plan the day or the route, you will just know. And ....... if he misbehaves, you put the brakes on, and try again another time.

When you think about it there are three things our horses do that worry us: buck (no prob, you can and do deal with that), rear (but he doesn't do that anyway) or go too fast (and you know you can stop him).

Good luck! xx

[angblue]

Thats great, well done ;D
Sometimes it does help to see someone else ride your horse then you realise he can do it & you think well if she can do it so can I !!

[kya]

Actually ran into my riding buddy, and she says we should hold fire and go hacking next week as we did today, and try throwing in some canter. My faith in her is restored. She's really taking me as a challenge I'd say. Thanks for the support as ever. We had vans JCBs and some vile dogs this morning... all taken by Blue as nothing to worry about. He's a star.

[kya]

The fact that Blue is looking at the monster with my brainless dog is quite a worry. Just took this out the window. Indulgent I know!
He's only in a collar for a couple of hours of downtime in his starvation paddock away from Bidi of the pink-flashing-bits. Le't draw a veil over that!

[Casper]

Kanga you are so daft for running yourself down in the picture of you and Blue! You BOTH look great, a real team and completely at ease with each other. What a handsome boy Blue is, and such a gorgeous face - he looks all safe and secure and chilled being with his mum. Love the piccie of him and your dog too - I'm sure there's a caption there somewhere.