I've made progress!

[sophie33]

I haven't been on here much recently but I'm still riding regularly. My latest resolution is to ride my share horse every time I have him. Managed three weeks so far.
And I was just thinking back to my posts last winter when I first starting sharing Spike and he kept spooking and cantering off in one corner of the school. I was so terrified! On Friday night I was riding him in the dark in the same school with fireworks in the distance - and he was as jumpy as ever when we first went in - and it didn't bother me in the slightest. I pushed him on, used my inside leg to push into the corner he is scared of, while keeping his head turned slightly away from it, and after a few minutes he relaxed and we had a really nice session. So even though I sometimes feel like I've made no progress - it obviously isn't true! And that is a really nice feeling :D

[cazrider]

That's great Sophie.:) Its funny isn't it, I was hacking Sennie early this morning across open fields, by ourselves W T and C, and was thinking I'm so glad I've owned him for a few years now. It's all so much easier when you know them isn't it. Lots of hope for anyone with a new horse who's wondering if you ever get to know them. You do.:)

[sophie33]

Thanks Cazrider. Yes I suppose everyone goes through a stage where they are nervous of their new horse (although mine was a bit OTT) but you can usually get past it; and its great when you do :D

[laura jeanne]

Sophie, great post! It's true that it's difficult sometimes to chart one's progress, but if you look back over time, you can see how you are doing. Do you keep a riding journal? I did for the first couple of years (4 1/2 now) and want to start it up again since I am learning a lot with my new instructor.