amandal
18th Feb 2007, 09:18 PM
She's been letting me mount with no-one holding her for a week or so now, (again thanks to KateWooten) unfortunately yesterday we had some minor objections but she quickly stopped when another livery came over to hold her.
I schooled her for 45 minutes and it went so well that I thought I'd go for a walk up the lane and back - I haven't hacked by myself for over a year and haven't willingly ridden outside the school for about that time too, I've had some right wibbly moments about hacking.
I was ready to ride out by myself but 2 other liveries who've just moved into the village said they'd walk up the road with me so we all set off together, them on foot going home. Quite a few cars passed in both directions (single track lane) and Ziz and I were fine. They went off to their house and I set off up another lane, which goes along the top of the yard's fields. I set a goal of walking to a telegraph pole but actually we went past it, we also went past the very scary cows in the field with no problems.
We then turned round and pootled back home. Helicopters going overhead, scary cows now to the right of us, and ohmygod horse eating snowdrops. On the way back down the hill a horse in one of the fields came running up and spooked her too, then she saw those really scary snowdrops and spooked again. This is the hill that she tanked off down it last time we rode out, with one other horse. The best bit is that I stayed relaxed, I did feel a bit sick leaving the school but then just felt calm and relaxed, even when she spooked. I was actually riding her properly outside the school, telling her she was being silly and riding her on - her spooks got less - she expects me to be nervous and as I wasn't we were both better.
This has been so long in coming, I have waited since cracking my ribs 2 years ago to feel like this hacking on her, the sense of calm was amazing. I know this is only a first step, I mean we only walked but it's a massive first step and I'm over the bloody moon. :D :D
She seemed to enjoy it too, ears pricked, lovely striding walk out, she even groomed me before walking off in the field. I turned her out naked and she didn't even roll - think she was rewarding me, lol.
So one very happy Amanda here, Ziz and I will actually get out this summer, instead of me beating myself up over not being able to get out of the yard gates. I'm going to start with schooling a bit and then walking out, I love having a day off in the week in my current temping role as it means I can do this again midweek, roll on the lighter nights. I'm beginning to feel like myself riding again. :D
I schooled her for 45 minutes and it went so well that I thought I'd go for a walk up the lane and back - I haven't hacked by myself for over a year and haven't willingly ridden outside the school for about that time too, I've had some right wibbly moments about hacking.
I was ready to ride out by myself but 2 other liveries who've just moved into the village said they'd walk up the road with me so we all set off together, them on foot going home. Quite a few cars passed in both directions (single track lane) and Ziz and I were fine. They went off to their house and I set off up another lane, which goes along the top of the yard's fields. I set a goal of walking to a telegraph pole but actually we went past it, we also went past the very scary cows in the field with no problems.
We then turned round and pootled back home. Helicopters going overhead, scary cows now to the right of us, and ohmygod horse eating snowdrops. On the way back down the hill a horse in one of the fields came running up and spooked her too, then she saw those really scary snowdrops and spooked again. This is the hill that she tanked off down it last time we rode out, with one other horse. The best bit is that I stayed relaxed, I did feel a bit sick leaving the school but then just felt calm and relaxed, even when she spooked. I was actually riding her properly outside the school, telling her she was being silly and riding her on - her spooks got less - she expects me to be nervous and as I wasn't we were both better.
This has been so long in coming, I have waited since cracking my ribs 2 years ago to feel like this hacking on her, the sense of calm was amazing. I know this is only a first step, I mean we only walked but it's a massive first step and I'm over the bloody moon. :D :D
She seemed to enjoy it too, ears pricked, lovely striding walk out, she even groomed me before walking off in the field. I turned her out naked and she didn't even roll - think she was rewarding me, lol.
So one very happy Amanda here, Ziz and I will actually get out this summer, instead of me beating myself up over not being able to get out of the yard gates. I'm going to start with schooling a bit and then walking out, I love having a day off in the week in my current temping role as it means I can do this again midweek, roll on the lighter nights. I'm beginning to feel like myself riding again. :D