Nerve racking hack!

[angblue]

Decided to go hacking up on the tree reserve the other day which we havn't been to since around Nov time, the track up to it is v steep & muddy in the winter which is trecherous!
Anyway we set off through the village passing lawnmowers etc no worries, blue was pretty forward going but still listening to me anyway. Came accross two big lorries which had stopped but still running & passed them ok until one moved off & both neds sprang about 5ft forward but I was still ok reasonably calm.
Carried on along the road cars passing etc no probs we are lucky most of the time they are pretty unfased by traffic ;D
Got to the off road bit & it felt like riding a blinking time bomb just waiting for it to explode LOL! Spent a good 45mins walking, jogging & trotting but he still listened to me even though I knew he really wanted to take off! It was really windy too esp as it's high up on a hill!
On the way out of the trees blue decided to REAR 3 times in a row bloomin heck I nearly peed my pants esp as he's never done that before But I stayed on to my amazement & after the 3rd time I got him back on 4 feet & gave him a right telling off, he stood perfectly still until I was ready(get my breath back) to move off. Then straight after that I knew we had to pass flapping tarp & I almost got off but I dug deep & tried to be confident for him & we passed it without any trouble....... phew(wipes brow, my hearts thumping just typing this LOL!)got home safely & in one peice thank god!
So it was a pretty eventful 2hrs I can tell you. I'm pretty certain he did it as in a child would have a tantrum when you don't let them do something, I have a vision of him stomping his feet & doing a kevin shouting "it's not fair you never let me do anything!" LOL! All because I was too nervous to let him canter
I'm not sure if it's given me a confidence boost or if I'll now worry that he'll do it again.
Sorry for the long post but needed to share

[wozzer]

Now then chick........ when you read your thread back I hope you will realise how absolutely marvellously you managed all of those situations. You are an absolute star ;D

Please realise that you had the "situations", you managed them safely, and you remained in charge and were the "reliable leader" at all times. Brilliant

Blimey - how proud are we of you Extremely proud!!!!!

I think this is fantastic. It tested your nerves, you coped brilliantly - well done you ;D

Promise me you will ride again tomorrow, even if only for a short time, cos your horsey will be better behaved cos he knows you're in charge. Believe me, and let us know how you get on. xx

[angblue]

Thankyou soooo much wozzer what a morale boosting reply ;D
I think I know in my heart you are right, he could quite easily have said sod it I want to go for a blast but he listened to me & didn't, it was a battle of wills at times & pretty exhausting!
I've spent so long being nervous of riding him that I find it hard to persaude my mind that I can do it & he won't take off regardless of what I do.
The power of your mind is a real pain in the butt

[Casper]

Angblue - wow, just LOOK at what you coped with on that ride! As Wozzer says "when you read your thread back I hope you will realise how absolutely marvellously you managed all of those situations. You are an absolute star" - couldn't agree more.

The other thing is remember to breathe (although I know just how difficult it is when you are feeling tense). Breathe in through your nose to say the count of 4, then exhale through your mouth using the same counting rhythmn for at least 6 and preferably 8 counts. It really does work, you feel your horse relax underneath you. The other thing I do sometimes is give a really exaggerated sigh - makes you laugh when nine times out of ten your neddie then does exactly the same thing...

Hope you have a great riding weekend, and well done again - proud as punch of you.

[em&ed]

Gosh! How brave?! Sometimes when i see these threads I don't even want to open them and read them in case it gives me something else to worry about! BUT... you coped really well with all those scarey things and told Blue into the bargain 'No, we are not cantering, please listen to me' and he did - which is great! Echo Casper about the breathing - even though I forget to breathe too! It is important... Keep us posted with your next adventure ;D

[angblue]

Thankyou everyone
It's so great to have this support group & not feel ridiculed for being nervous ;D

[pebblesgirl]

Blimey Wozzer, thats exactly what i was going to write. ...Cant really add anything else except to say a big well done you!!
Love reading threads where,even though it was a bit stressful,everything is ok in the end and you survived and you were in control!!
;D ;D ;D

[kya]

Nothing to add... but well done you. Amazing.

[giftgirl]

sounds like you were amazing!!
that should give you a confidence boost, knowing that you handled the rearing situation well and still stayed on!!
well done!
giftgirl xx

[cesca]

angblue said:

...bloomin heck I nearly peed my pants

Hehe sorry love but that bit really made me laugh!

All I can say is, agree with the others. I have never, ever had a horse rear on me and I think I might actually "pee my pants" AND MORE if one ever did. Well done you, you got through it and carried on, so he lost. The rearing didn't work so he's not going to bother again. Also as time goes on you'll both become more relaxed so you won't get to the tense situation that can cause a rear.

Agree with wozzer, do get back on tomorrow, for both you and him. Well done toots! xxx