beginning schooling alone

[Stella2]

I'm just begining to tentatively ride alone in the arena. I moved yards a few months ago from a large busy yard, where someone was always at least passing by the arena, to a small yard where, when your alone in the arena, your really alone - bliss I hear some of you say. I can definately see the advantages, but for a middle-aged novice it brings with it a sense of vulnerability. I was wondering about others experiences of their early days of riding alone.

[Gracie]

When you say alone do you mean alone. like no one is at the barn at all? Your very brave if thats the case!:) I used to board at a private facilities, and if I didn't bring a friend or if the owners wern't home I wouldn't ride! I was way to scared!

At my new stables its usually busy... but even when its not they have a camera in the arena, so if anything does happen the barn owner will see it from inside her house! At first I felt like it was invasion of privacy... but the longer I've been there the more I'm starting to like it for safety reasons!:)

[kedwards]

I'm with Gracie. I too would be very nervous riding if there was nobody in the barn at all (within, say, screaming distance).

[chapsi]

Nowardays I am too weary to handle my horse on my own. I've been let by the instructor on my own in the arena for some time, although I still feel relieved that someone is at the yard (not that it made any difference in case of an inccident).

[Laetitia]

Keep your mobile switched on. Plan your schooling program thoroughly before you start, and focus yourself and your nag on that. So, you are really working your horse and won't have time to worry about being on your own. Yes, its scary, but you also have to jolly well get on with it and sort out anything that crops up. Keep everything simple and within your and your horse's ability and enjoy. L

[virtuallyhorses]

Funny, I didn't even consider the safety issues of working alone. I always thought it was fabulous when no one was around because it meant I could try things that scared me witless without worrying about falling off - or rather without worrying about others seeing me fall off ;)

I was more lost on the - working out what to do, how to school, how to work on my own riding.

Even though I've now moved on from the 'falling off' days I love being on my own in the arena - we always do our best work when there's no one to see it :( I love being alone with the horses in their paddock late at night or even working late at night in the arena on our own. I think part of that 'confidence' if you want to call it that comes from that fact that I've had to 'rescue' myself from a life threatening injury before so I guess in the back of my mind I know that even if I'm really badly hurt I'd deal with it somehow.

[Peace]

Not there yet, Stella2, but it's something I'll be working on soon. Like you, I'm at a small place, in a rural area - to be honest, right now the idea of riding alone pretty well creeps me out!:( But that's my instructor's goal for me - to get me to the point where I'm ok with riding alone at least in the arena. It's something I've got to learn to do if I want to ride much at all.

I've heard other people say they started by just doing a tiny bit, and adding more each day. Like the first day or so, they might just tack up, mount and dismount. Then the next, maybe a few steps of walk, etc.

So please keep us posted on how it goes - I'd love to hear your experiences. Right now I'm sticking with groundwork, and hoping that as I get to know my horse better I'll feel more confidence in the both of us!

[judyl]

I must admit being worried on my own when riding never entered my head. Just over a year ago I brought my 2 horses home and had every intention of riding in our arena during the day on my own. It was only when my instructor said about the safety aspect that it occurred to me. I've always ridden out on my own soon after I bought my horse. I guess that's just me, always the optimist or just plain ignorant!! :D

[Yann]

Just over 12 months ago I started sharing a horse at the riding school I attended at the time. I'll never forget the thrill of the first time I rode in the school by myself one Friday night. The safety angle did cross my mind as Ben was a spooky horse, so I kept my phone with me, but the feeling of freedom more than made up for it. It was also the case that if he wasn't ridden then he'd be in the stable non stop for up to 48 hours, so I ended up riding him in a gale alone too, but much to my surprise he was solid as a rock that night, which made me feel much better about the whole thing.
I think the main thing is to be aware that the horse might well behave differently when nobody else is about, especially if that's unusual. They may be more spooky or nappy, Ben used to try and grind to a halt every time we went past the gate if the mood took him.
It is very different and strange for the rider if it's new to them too, but being able to do what you want without having to watch out for 3 or 4 other horses going in all directions makes it well worth it. Being able to do so in a freshly levelled school so you can check the correctness of your maneovres is even better!

Good luck:)

[Stella2]

Its really good to read all your experiences. I did ride in the arena alone the other night. It felt odd, but I think I can get used to it, although I think I'll always tell someone that I'm there, even if that means telephoning someone and saying 'this is what I'm doing and I'll call you again in 45 minutes'. It is nice to be able to completely focus upon the horse and my own body since if someone is around there is the tendancy to chat. Certainly, when I'm lunging my mare I've noticed that it breaks her concentration if someone chats to me and I need to reply. I get quite a buzz from knowing when she and I are really focused on each other as its still fairly new for me. I haven't got that when riding alone yet as I'm still somewhat apprehensive, but I feel sure that it will come.

I wondered from the posts, do you think its more common to school alone in the UK than in the USA?

[Retty]

Hi,

I feel scared if in the arena on my own, sounds silly but if I ask someone to keep an eye out for me - even if this is my 9 year old daughter I feel much more confident and then my horse feels more relaxed too as I am not so worried! When I feel really nervous (which is quite often!) I sing, I'm sure that Promise must be getting fed up with my out of tune singing but at least it means I'm not holding my breath in anticipation of her spooking, a paino falling on my head or whatever!!:)

[Stella2]

I think singing is a great idea, but I can never think of a good rythmic song whilst on horse back! I have been known to resort to ba ba black sheep "and one for the little horse down the road". They seem to like it! What do others sing

[Retty]

My friend sings onward christian soliders, which can be embarrasing if we are out on a hack! I tend to sing anything that comes to mind and usually very badly! Promise's ears twitch backwards and forwards when I'm singing and she seems calmer so I would recommend it! Tried Bach remedy when I was nervous aswell but that didn't seem to have any effect until I had finished the ride and then I felt very sleepy:rolleyes:

[FreedomStar]

Well, maybe you can get hold of a portable radio or cd player, and play some music while you ride; music that won't spook the horses.

[rusk]

I sing to my horse too all the time. I find I can't possibly hold my breath when trying to sing as well!!:D I sing when I'm out on my own and generally it does seem to relax us both. Usually it's daft songs and I end up laughing to myself and it takes the fear thoughts out of your head!:D What about hopalong Cassidy, if you can remember that far back!! My horse likes Tea for Two, Daisy Daisy, and an old song about a Palamino that I don't even know what it's called. If you want to trot a great one is Freight train Freight Train going so fast................IF you remember that one too. As for riding alone...well, sometimes it's really good if you know no-one is watching, you don't feel stupid if something goes wrong, for instance. I used to school a lot but keep lonesome times short and sweet at first. Good Luck.:D

[ashesscott]

I love to ride after work in the evening but after a long day at work and a 30 mile drive home it takes some determination to ride instead of tea and telly.

Anyone else ride at night regularly? How do you motivate yourself?

[Stella2]

Its difficult to ride on the cold, winter evenings. It been very windy so much recently in my area that sometimes its impossible for days. How often is everyone managing to ride in the winter. I managed 4 times last week, but not at all for the past 5 days and the forcast is for high winds -gale force and snow for the next several days! Also I move yards on Friday. She'll be unsettled/naughty when we get to it!

[Tootsie4U]

I 2nd what Laetita says!

You cant always depend on having the security of other people around. Make sure you are doing all you can (mobile phone, safety gear, etc.) and at least let someone somewhere know you are at the barn riding at this specific time of day.

[Lgd]

I usually have somebody around the yard when I'm riding but that is only because my trainer lives at the yard. At the previous yard if I was completely on my own I would keep the phone with me just in case - same as I would if hacking out.

I have to ride in the evenings most of the time and usually have two to ride - motivation is not looking a complete prat at my next lesson or competition, lack of work is rather obvious at the level my two are at. I'm lucky with having the indoor school so that weather is not really an issue.

I love riding to music and have some CDs and tapes which are specifically for riding to. The CD player is almost constantly on at the moment as I'm in the midst of sorting out music for my 2003 freestyles as I need at least two programmes for Tavia (and possibly three if she reaches medium level by the end of the year), Peri needs three, although I am very tempted to use the same music for the PSG and InterI freestyles as I don't get the chance to do them very often.

[Stella2]

I used to enjoy riding to music from my CD player in the summer, but with no indoor school and the weather we have been having, I think the player could blow-up!!

The spring will come .......

[tarkia]

Well riding alone has its good and bad points...
GOOD- You can really get the horse to listen and concentrate more when his horsey pals arn't around and its better when you have all that space to yourself!

BAD- If you had an accident, what would happen if no one seen you and you could be really hurt.

So if your riding alone keep a moblie or friend with you, they will always come in handy!

[Sparkle]

I ride alone on Saturdays after my lesson or in the afternoon, but there is always someone at the barn. I only rode once when there was no adult there, and even then my friend was riding with me. For safety reasons, I like riding with someone else especially since the mare I ride can be quick, spooky and unpredictable. If I think she is getting nervous, I sing, too! It seems to calm her down, maybe because she knows there is someone else there with her. If my friend and I are on the trail she gets so embarrassed when we see someone... I always sing whatever pops into my head, which is usually something dumb:D . Do you have someone who could come to the barn with you to ride? If not, you could carry a cell phone so you can contact someone if something happens. Otherwise, just be cautious- don't do anything that might put you at risk, especially if you are alone.

[Cathy Reynolds]

I don't ride in the school when there isn't anyone around and always have the mobile with me unless I am being coached. Interesting that you like being alone. I find I am much more focused if Liz our trainer comes in to the school once I am really warmed up and she coaches and comments as much as teaches.