A rubbish lesson!

[Cobgirl]

I hate to admit it, but today I had an absolute pig of a lesson/ride. I knew things were going to be bad when I collected Mollie from the field. She walked beside me then decided to stop and would not budge an inch until I 'made' her. Not luring with polos anymore:D

Used the outdoor sand arena and it took 3 attempts to mount her. She was either too far away, too forward or crooked. Before I had even got my off side stirrup she had walked off, the moo:eek: I was also tired as I had a rubbish night's sleep, you know how it is when you hit the menopause age. Sleep for two hours then awake every hour on the hour and up at 6 am for work:eek: So I warmed her up for 10 minutes, lots of walk and halt, keep her guessing by changing the rein doing little circles. But I could not keep her in trot, it was like, go a few yards, then she stopped. Leg on, push, little tap with the whip. Stop and start, go forward, stop, this went on for 20 minutes. Tried serpentines, spiralling circles you name it, I did it, but she was just dead to any of my aids!

So we went for a walk down the lane (past the dreaded llamas and also a little shetland foal). She was on her toes, snorting and opening her nostrils. So I just sit back, slack rein and sing:D Half way down, she turns around or tries to and wants to go back home. It was like this for the rest of the ride. Had planned on some more leg yielding but as she had an independent mind today I gave up. I was so tired that I just could not be bothered!!

Not riding the weekend as it is my daughter's birthday Saturday and my little grandson Jack's birthday Tuesday - he'll be 7 years old, bless him:D Lots of baking and wrapping up presents!

Hope my ride next week is better - I feel a bit deflated this afternoon because I feel I achieved nothing:D:D Oh well, we all get those riding days!!

[Bob's mum]

Well I think you should give yourself a pat on the back for not giving up ! Sometimes it is so much easier to find reasons not to ride than to ride and you did yourself proud, so grab a large glass of vino tonight and chalk it up to experience :)

[LindaAd]

Sorry you had a bad ride, Cobgirl. I think lack of sleep has a very bad effect on riding; - we lack energy, and the horse feels it. I prefer the kind that go sluggy to the kind that take over, though.

I agree with Bob's mum; you got on (that was an achievement) and you went for a ride (that's another). Enjoy the weekend, and your next ride:):):)

[Rebecca1969]

Sorry your lesson disappointed you. It's never helps things when you not feeling yourself, atleast you still road though. Sounds like that horse really has a mind of his own. My friend at work owns a horse like that, very stubborn. Then she has another horse who listens well. She's been so down cause week after week, she has to concentrate more on getting her stubborn horse to move rather than focusing on herself. I told her next time ride you easier horse and let your husband(who is more experienced) ride the more stubborn horse.
Great you got him to go at times, so he didn't take full advantage. I'm sure next time you'll have a better ride. He reminds me of Apache when you said you had a problem mounting him!! As you know we all have those days. Before you know you'll be back to where you left off years ago. Just takes time. :)

[Nazdaq]

awww Molliecob lol! Napoleon the pony I ride is exactly like that and has done the shuffling off when mounting thing to me before as well as all the rest. But when we have a good day its the best thing EVER! I love him for it and I prefer he has a mind of his own then be the boring ploddy cobs that everyone else gets to ride. The only annoying thing is when both he and I want to go faster and RI won't let us! :eek: :D :D

Hope you have a better ride next week. Pics of Napoleon in my most recent thread if you want a look (he's a 14.2hh Haffy) :D

[perkypinky]

chin up! I had a baddish lesson on Wednesday, then tried the camomile tea as a calmer on thursday - pony would hardly trot never mind buck like he did on Wednesday - i came out of the school with my bottom lip quivering (like you say its our age!!!) But then had a good ride in the school today - my point is................... tomorrow is another day (or in your case next week) im sure it will be great next time and you will be on a 'high'
In regard to the 'night thing' = i have tried taking valerian tablets when i wake in the night - it does seem to help get you back to sleep quickly x

[Cobgirl]

Thanks guys, guess I am having a blue day today. You know the sort when things go wrong and you could burst out crying! I am so crabby when my sleep is broken. I keep waking around 3.30 - 4 am then can't get back to sleep. Oh I hate this stage in my life, i want to be NORMAL!!!!

Bob'sMum- I could do with a pat on the back (and a Polo?) lol!! The big glass of wine is coming later. thanks for the encouragement.

LindaAd - thank you - I was very tired today and I never ride that well. I am glad I rode Mollie though, every ride is experience good and bad.

Rebecca - Mollie is my part loan mare, a sweetie but sometimes very 'cobbish!' I too ride an Apache from time to time at the adjoining RS. He is a sweetie pie and patient. It's Mollie that goes walkabouts! Lol can't let my hubby ride Mollie, he's never been on a horse in his life!

Nazdaq - Just saw your (pastels?) drawing of Napoleon, beautiful! wow you are talented. Haffies are so gorgeous but sometimes bolshy, nevertheless, I love them. Lol don't want to go toooo fast you know - look what happened to me last time!

Perkypinky - I will buy some valerian tablets and see if they help. After about 2 nights broken sleep I'm like a bear with a sore head. Lol I can relate to the quivering lip - that is just how I felt today.

Thanks guys, you're the best and have cheered me up no end.

[Tally.]

Hey, sorry to hear you didnt enjoy your ride today.
But i bet it did your leg muscles the world of good ;)
You know we all have these days and im sure your next ride will be great :)

[Nazdaq]

Nazdaq - Just saw your (pastels?) drawing of Napoleon, beautiful! wow you are talented. Haffies are so gorgeous but sometimes bolshy, nevertheless, I love them. Lol don't want to go toooo fast you know - look what happened to me last time!

Thank you, that made me smile, glad you like the drawing although its not of Napoleon, I am working on one of him at the moment. That drawing is of a chestnut horse called Boxer who is about 15hh and its in coloured pencils but yes it does remind me of pastels in its style.

About going fast: Ooooh you love it really, you just need to get your confidence back, starting slow riding the same pony for a while, and before you know it you will be urging him to go faster (that's what I found with Napoleon anyways) :p :D

I hope your next ride is better. :)