Confidence and new saddle update and pics

[shikras mum]

Hi all, as most of you know i've been having serious confidence issues, which i strongly believe were made 10 times worse by a saddle i felt perched on.

Fjordlady kindly sold me a saddle a couple of weeks ago which i have been desperate to try out, unfortunately i put my back out and couldn't ride at all

Today i finally managed to go out on a small hack, a few tears before hand, huge lump filling the whole of my insides, but we did it, once again thanks to very patient friends, but wow!!! what a difference the saddle has made

i feel as though i'm sitting in the saddle now, not on it, i could feel my horses movement, something i've never been able to do before and i cant believe how secure i felt in it

i've always seen pics of me on my horse before and noticed that no matter how hard i try i'm not sitting straight, theres no imaginary pencil line through my shoulder, seat and foot, tonight i've looked at the pics from todays ride and i can finally see it, it was there without even trying it

a big thanks to Fjordlady for the saddle that i know is gonna have me cantering round the fields by the end of this summer, also a big thanks to vikkig, who has been emailing with brilliant advice and support

i know i have a long way to go yet but thanks to those 2 lovely ladies, great friends, a brill saddle, an angel of a horse and plenty of determination i finally feel like i am gonna get there, get my confidence back and finally enjoy riding again

my OH needs to watch out, i think this year he is finally gonna realise what it means to be a horsey widow :D

please look at the pics and please feel free to make constructive criticism's, offer advice etc


i do have one down point though, but will post that seperately, dont want to give anyone info overload

http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm185/traceyb598/horses/dogsandhorses042.jpg

http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm185/traceyb598/horses/dogsandhorses044.jpg

http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm185/traceyb598/horses/phone002.jpg

[shikras mum]

also would like to add, love the way the saddle moulds around maks very round body

and excuse wellies, had foot op in november and still cant get riding boots on :o

[Ace87]

What good news! Friends are the best aren't they? Lovely pics xx

[shikras mum]

thanks, your right, friends are the best and mine have been fantastic. they helped me get back on a bolter, held my hand while i heartbreakingly sold him, trawled the country with me to find a sane sensible bombproof horse, held the tissues and sick bucket for me whilst getting me in the saddle, cared for my horses, dogs and me whilst also keeping my spirits up after big op that left me struggling to get from bed to sofa let alone anything else, on top of that working full time jobs and having dogs and horses of thier own to care for and for no reason other than being friends call and text everyday and patiently put up with me taking 2 steps forward 4 steps back. real friends are rare and deserve all the praise they get. My friends are amazing and i love them for it (all 2 of them) i only hope that they realise how much i value them

[Ace87]

Aww that's such a nice story! You're truly lucky!

[fjordlady]

I am so glad you are pleased with the saddle - its not easy pleasing horse and rider;).

Mak looks really smart x

[shikras mum]

Oh my god i trotted today

spent 2 hours with mak, grooming etc then riding in my small paddock

did a couple of figure 8's then got a sudden urge to try a small trot

I'm so pleased with myself

[Skippys Mum]

I know exactly what you mean about sitting "in" rather than "on". I had exactly the same feeling when I trialled the freeform - cannot wait for my one to arrive. Doesnt it make such a difference:D.

Cant really see me ever going back to treed (fingers crossed:o).#

Well done you and good luck in the future.

[cinammontoast]

Stunning! I can't wait to get my new saddle cos then I can ride (and trade my old stuff for new!) I get thrown forward in the old one and it's starting to pinch B so he's not happy. It dents my confidence every time and I daren't even canter in the school with it so a trillion thanks to a horsey ebay member for a bargain!:D

[palmerlover52]

:D Yay!

That saddle is lush, looks really comfy

[fjordlady]

Fab news about the trotting - at this rate you will be turning up at your friends sooner than she expects :D

[shikras mum]

wish me luck, tomorrow i am going to ride all the way to my pals, it's about a mile, and i have to do road work all the way. once there we are going on a hack, her on her bombproof and a friend on her phsyco

not feeling worried about the hack at all, and not feeling too worried about riding down there

have decided the worst that can happen is i get a fright and i can get off at anytime if i feel i need to

this is a huge improvement as before all i could think was what if and i cant do this

will take camera on hack and promise pics of all the lovely views and horses

[iblou]

Your saddle looks lovely. What make is it?

[fjordlady]

Well how did the hack go? I am waiting to hear :D

[lor]

ditto what make and how did the hack go :D

[baileyboy]

Congratulations you must be felling very proud of yourself:)

[vikkig]

OMG i have just seen this, well done you, i can tell by your post you are soooooo pleased, i like the saddle looks very nice.

had massive problems with my emails and stuff will try and get on and email you


and again WELL DONE :):):):):)

will have to find a way to hack to see you and your mac