Equine Therapy for sure!!!

[Abserd]

Hello! am going to put this thread in here because i feel it's right for me, even if others may disagree. Anyway, the point is this....i'm now, at the grand old age of 32:eek:, helping out at my RS!!!!:D

If you'd told me when i was a pony mad kid of 12 that i'd be doing this now i'd have laughed in yer face:o

If you'd have told me a few weeks ago when it felt like the world was caving in on me i'd have probably cried:rolleyes:

But there was me today, mucking out stables, rugged up to the eyeballs (the horses had their own rugs on!!) in the freezing frosty morning...and loving it!

I was so nervous the first day i was almost sick:eek: but it was the best thing i've ever forced myself to do (except for actually starting to ride a couple of years ago of course). I've had nothing but welcome from the staff who are happy to have an extra pair of hands whenever i can lend them. They are willing to show me what to do and how to do it and i can honestly say my confidence is so much higher right now. Ok, so i'm now home sat in my pj's on NR but i do have a 2 hour lesson tonight and need to rest my joints (so i'm typing this, yeah that'll help!!)

My grip is so pants but no-one seems concerned if i take my time or have to let someone else carry anything heavy...who knew sawdust weighed so much!!:p

Quite frankly i'll put up with aching joints anyday, horses really are the best medicine...and i just wanted to share:o:D

[Rokx]

that sounds great!! do you get the lessons free for helping?
i agree, ponies are definitely the best medicine, they always make me feel better too after I've been having a bad time of it.
Glad you're happy :)
xx

[Rarah]

Good for you Abs!!

How often are you helping?

[Abserd]

Thanks Rokx and Rarah! i'm helping as often as i can, while i'm still off work that's pretty much everyday. Weekends are busiest but i feel it's only fair to spend some time with my OH so i'm going up each weekday morning to help with the mucking out and staying as long as i want each day.

So glad i plucked up the old courage :)

[kerry spiers]

I total agree with you, Ive been having a few rubbish weeks and i saw my horse at the weekend (im away at uni) and she came galloping up to me, cheered me up so much

[Abserd]

Pics get better honest!! Was my phone so not great but i couldn't resist! It was a cold but lovely morning and as there were no lessons we let the horses out into the school for a kickabout. I missed taking photos of the first 4 but got a couple of the rest. Tried to take a vid but not enough memory humph!

Anyway....hope you like....

Excuse blurriness, i'd just climbed up an icey field! View from top
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc276/abi-lynn/View2.jpg

Leeds? or Switzerland? (i wish!!)
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc276/abi-lynn/View1.jpg

Bless her, Dazzle havin a roll
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc276/abi-lynn/DazzleRolling.jpg

Tom (piebald) and Welly playing about!! Love Tom sooo much:rolleyes:
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc276/abi-lynn/TomWelly.jpg

Am getting the hang of this photobucket lark i am!!:D

[Abserd]

Bumpety bump for pics! ;)

[elaine@dow-evan]

Lovely - isnt it a priviledge being around horses?

[wildponies]

Gorgeous pics! And that last pic is pure comedy, something about it i just love! :)

[tina1958]

Horses are great therapy. I always forget my troubles when I'm around them.

[Abserd]

tina1958 Horses are great therapy. I always forget my troubles when I'm around them.

Completely true! they are so calming and honest, you can't stay upset or annoyed for long :)

Yesterday 11:35 PM
wildponies Gorgeous pics! And that last pic is pure comedy, something about it i just love!

Thanks!! I wish i'd managed to get more, they were just total loons for a while, i could have stood and watched them for ages. They've got such great characters :D


Yesterday 11:17 PM
elaine@dow-evan Lovely - isnt it a priviledge being around horses?

Totally, i never tire of it!:p

[Abserd]

Ello, thought i'd just add this here so i've got a little record of my progress :D

Went to the RS today, mucked out 2 stalls, brushed down all ponies then got asked to go out on a hack for FREE cos i've been helping out so much!!! Was very honoured :p Little nervous as didn't have my hat so borrowed a friend's whose head is luckily the same size as mine! also wasn't wearing my BP or sports bra :eek: so was concerned about black eyes! BUT did have my nifty new fleece with RS name on it so felt very proud!!

There were 3 of us, we were out ages, i stayed cool, calm (and fairly) collected even going downhill so much (pet peeve) and cantering my horse fast through the woods as i know if she'd decided to she could have taken me with her :rolleyes: but although my stirrups were a tad long for cantering i just held her back and breathed (i think!!)

My arms felt like jelly afterwards and even now my fingers are wobbly but i'm so glad i just went for it, spontaneous hackage, the joy!

Weather was gorgeous, birds were singing, sun was shining and the lass in front took us through quiet streets with polite motorists and patient pedestrians!

And i used to get so worked up about hacking:o

Sadly no pics but this girl has found a reason for getting up in the mornings and i highly recommend it ;)

Thanks for reading my waffle x

[wildponies]

Hack sounds fabulous! I think the fact that it took you by suprise stopped you getting too nervous before it all!

You sound like you have the perfect RS, i'm jealous :)

[Abserd]

definitely, i really enjoyed it. must say that in the evenings lesson we had to ride 2 different horses so 3 rides in 1 day?!?! i ached so much the day after :rolleyes:

i am pretty lucky, it's a good RS :D