An ideal weekly routine and 'lesson' plan

[Karenpd]

I'm just getting back into riding again after many years' absence. I have my own horse who is also getting back into it again (yes, I know this is not a good combination but we're stuck with it). I'm going back to school with lessons.

Could anybody suggest an ideal weekly routine - eg should I make a point of riding EVERY day, or is it enough to lunge instead of riding some days? My own confidence has taken several blows recently and I don't want to give up, but am not finding it easy to get on board my horse at the moment.

Also, could anybody suggest where to find 'lesson plans'? Part of my problem is that all I'm thinking about when I'm on board is myself and falling off - at least at lessons you're focussed on what the instructor is saying. I could do with some suggestions for flatwork sessions with Bob to set myself some targets to work towards. Any recommendations?

[TNT]

Maybe you could ask your instructor to give you certain things to work on in between lessons. I think you could do 1 day riding 1 day ground work. If you have a day when you really feel nervous about getting on don't feel bad about it just do ground work or even what I like to call " pretty pony day" and just brush your horse and talk to her. Getting your confidence back takes time and lots of baby steps. Just stay where you are comfortable and pretty soon that comfort zone will start to stretch. I've just spent the last year working on mine. You're not alone there are plenty of us out here dealing with it.

[Gemma16]

The idas TNT has given sound very good and I'd take that advice.
Also regarding what you said about ' do you have to ride everyday' I'd say no. Especially if both of you are getting back into work, riding everyday might be to much.

Good look and in time I'm sure your confidence will grow.
Let us know how you get on.

[Karenpd]

Thanks for that - it makes the world of difference to hear that others have gone through what I'm going through but have come out the other side.

I did some work with him getting him into the trailer yesterday. Today I'm hacking out - at least that's the plan. I've been awake from 5am worrying about it all, but I think I need to do it.

[TNT]

Oh you poor thing! Lord knows I've laid awake worrying about my ride out the next day. This is suppose to be fun? Don't worry it will be again. Try and set yourself some small goals like.. " today I'll ride as far as that tree or I'll ride for 15 minutes and if all is going well then go longer. If it's all you can do fine you've reached your goal and give yourself a pat on the back. Remember what you accomplish each day is between you and your horse and God and nobody elses business. We're all here also to give you a pat on the back for what ever you accomplished that day. This site is so great for that:)

[Karenpd]

Yes, you're absolutely right - I try desparately hard to remember that I don't HAVE to do what everybody else expects me to do - after all that's the whole point of having my own horse, isn't it????

Anyway, I hacked out yesterday - lunged bob, he stood like an angel whilst I got on board, and we then spent 1 1/4 hours pottering around the countryside. He was brilliant, and I actually felt like I 'rode' him for the first time and helped HIM get round - lots of scary drains and holes in the road - that sort of thing! - but saying that I think I had my buttocks firmly clenched for about an hour of that! As you can imagine yesterday has done wonders for my confidence. The other guys at the yard have gone to the beach today - I decided to have a day off after yesterday's success - don't want to ruin what I achieved so soon!

Many thanks for your support - it means the world to me.

[lisae]

I started back into horses five years ago, also with a gelding that had been turned away for a while! I had him in with a trainer for a few weeks while I was taking lessons myself. That way he was being ridden by someone more experienced and confident and I could see how well he did under saddle. It was confidence building and I got to know the horse's reactions better too. I couldn't graduate to lessons on him, though as I had to bring him home instead of board him and no trailer to bring him to the lesson barn. But consider having someone ride him for you to get him back into the idea of work...

[wildwomen]

Originally posted by TNT
Oh you poor thing! Lord knows I've laid awake worrying about my ride out the next day. This is suppose to be fun? Don't worry it will be again. Try and set yourself some small goals like.. " today I'll ride as far as that tree or I'll ride for 15 minutes and if all is going well then go longer. If it's all you can do fine you've reached your goal and give yourself a pat on the back. Remember what you accomplish each day is between you and your horse and God and nobody elses business. We're all here also to give you a pat on the back for what ever you accomplished that day. This site is so great for that:)

WELL DONE MATE I TOLD YOU YOU COULD DO IT IT JUST TAKES TIME YESTERDAY WAS A BIG STEP FOR YOU BOTH YOU DID SO WELL I'M PROUD OF YOU IT WILL DO YOU BOTH THE WORLD OF GOOD YOU WILL NEED TO BOND AND THAT WILL COME WITH TIME SO AGAIN WELL DONE A BIT AT A TIME AND YOU WILL LIKE I SAID BE A DIFFERENT PERSON IN 6 MONTHS, AS FOR MY VENTURE WHEN I TURNED UP THE OTHER DAY AND HAD A GREAT RIDE AND WAS SO PLEASED WITH HIS PROGRESS SHE ACTUALLY SAID THAT SHE WAS SENDING HIM TO HER FRIENDS YARD TO BE SORTED OUT SO I TOOK A BIT OF A KNOCK SO I DON'T THINK IV GOT MUCH CHANCE CARRING ON IF SHE HAS THOSE PLANS SO IM LOOKING FOR A NEW HORSE TO HELP ITS JUST FINDING SOMEONE WHO WANTS THAT HELP :rolleyes: BI FOR NOW WILDWOMEN

[Karenpd]

Lisae - this sounds very familiar - I have considered having Bob reschooled, and still think it might be worth doing. I have watched a few people riding him and they get on fine with him, which actually doesn't help my confidence as it only goes to reaffirm that I am the problem, not Bob. But reschooling might get him back into the schooling groove.

That was all 5 years ago - how did it turn out for you?

Wildwomen - sorry to hear about that - but do you still get some riding in?

[lisae]

The gelding proved to be wonderful in the ring but a very fearful horse out on the trail. He needed a leader but since I hadn't read much natural horsemanship at the time I didn't have a clue. So, I found him a very nice home with a lady who has quite a collection of animals on a very nice 17 acre farmette. She was going to trail ride with him but only with her trail riding group (he would have been much better with other horses.) I now have Haflingers and am getting more into driving instead of riding.

Try not to think of yourself as "the problem"! if you are a caring horse owner and take your time, you will get there and the nervousness will be a memory. I went through the same thing and although the nerves didn't just disappear overnight they really did seem to slowly lessen and lessen until I am now really confident with my horses. It does help that you will get to know your boy better and even the smallest success on the ground will add to your comfort level.

And as noted in a prior post, no one is keeping track, you ride as often as you feel is right!

[Karenpd]

I'd invite you round for a cup of tea if you weren't so far away!

Thanks for that. It is SO reassuring to hear that other people get through the WALL OF NERVES. Honestly, if it hadn't been for this website and a couple of the other owners at the livery yard, egging me on, I would have given up by now. Sad thing is that I would have given up riding completely as I had (momentarily) lost all love for riding and horses.

It is quite unnerving to read some of the input from younger riders who probably don't see it from my angle. I relate better to those Nervous Nellies!

It's strange, but as my nerves seem to be calming with small achievements with Bob I seem to be gaining in confidence generally.

The weather isn't brilliant today, cold and drizzly, but I'll go down and lunge him, see how he is to ride. 20 mins in the sand school should appease my conscience.