I did it!!!

[Trixie]

On Wednesday night I had a stable management lesson and I was being taught how to groom. Now, I'm TERRIFIED of horses, I mean pathologically TERRIFIED!

He was loose in his box and the first thing I was shown then had to do was pick out his hooves. I DID IT!!!!! I picked up his feet (after a bit of resistance, some from me and some from him) and I actually picked them out. Then I body-brushed him all over and was shown how to do his mane and tail. I was so pleased with myself.

Today, small son had been on a sleep-over, so I had the day to myself. I went up to the stables and I groomed him ALL ON MY OWN IN THE CORRAL!!! He was loose again, but stood like an angel and leaned into the bodybrush as if to say "Oooooo, bit harder please!". Being slow and nervous, he got fed up before I had finished, so only got half his tail done. Still, he shone like he'd been polished. Shame he rolled five minutes later:rolleyes:

I just had to post this as I'm so amazed that I did it. Funny thing was, I wasn't scared, only a bit wary when he started eating my coat and trying to chew my steel toe-cap!

By the way, he is a 15.1 black cob who is gorgeous and built like a brick outhouse.

[shoniedaspony]

well done!!!

i went from being terrified of being even next to a horse a few years back to now more comfortable around them than with people, i know how you feel!! Massive congratulations, he sounds gorgeous, hope you go from strength to strength!

Dont be alarmed by the nibbling, unless he actually bites, then he is just returning the favour by grooming you back!!

Shona
xx

[shirley]

WELL DONE YOU!!!!
Not an easy thing to do if you are terrified. I have a phobia about chickens, but that is another story!!!
We had our first horse 5 plus years ago now and I was extremely wary of her, it took me two monthes of working around her in the stable to feel confident enough to lead her out to her field!!!
As for your boy chewing your jacket and nibbling at your shoes, he is mutually grooming you back, just as he would a pair bond horse or very very good friend in the field, so he must love you already!!! What a result!!! It took me 18 monthes to get that with my rather big black hairy cob. So I am envious of you really!!! So long as they do not rub you too hard that is all that is importent.
Good for you taking stable managment lessons. I did my British Horse Society Horse Ownership classes. They do basic Level 1 and go up to Level 4. They were a great help to increasing my knowledge of horses - and also spending two hours a week totally immersed in horses along with others who were potty about horses was heaven really!!! If you want to do these BHS website have info on them and what the syllabus is for each level.
I have a 14.2 hairy black cob with four white socks called Ben - Big Enormous and Nice = BEN. Not very original I suppose, but suits him to a T. Good luck with your horse and enjoy your grooming sessions - he obviously enjoys them.

[pattycake]

Well done! It should get easier every time as you get more confident and your horse will feel your confidence. He sounds like a wonderful horse. (I'm soooo jealous:mad: :rolleyes: :D :D

[Showjumper]

Congratulations - that's wonderful :D

[Trixie]

.....he's not my horse. He belongs to the livery yard owner, well has done since last week and the first time I was near him was the stable management lesson. Still, I've really fallen for him, I'm in lurve and hubby is jealous! :D

Another "sadly" to add to this. Today I had my usual lesson. I've been getting to know Amber and had become confident enough cantering her in 10 and 20 metre circles and felt in control. Today I was to ride Judy. OK, thought I, a few deep breaths and go for it, girl. She only goes sideyways now and again. Walked up to her, said hello nicely and went to take the reins. Next thing she's got her ears pinned back, her head shoots up then she goes for me with her teeth! I heard an almighty "clomp!!!" as she missed me by inches! Not an auspicious start. I lasted 10 minutes on her. Ears permanently pinned back, head shaking, trying to pull me out of the saddle. So, I was put back on Amber. When asked to canter with her new rider, Judy ended up in a flat-out gallop and only avoided crashing into the rear of the ride by heading into a corner! Meanwhile, Amber was jumpy. When I asked for canter off she went, up to the bend, then instead of following the bend she did a U turn and skelped to the end of the ride. That was me, finished. Stuck to walk and trot for the rest of the lesson and now feel so disheartened. Meanwhile Judy kept trying to bite the backside of the horse in front and I was behind Judy, expecting Amber to get a kick in the chops at any minute.

I must admit, the last few weeks there's only been me and one other person in our lesson, but today there were five of us. I get nervous riding in a group.I can stay out of the way of one or two other riders, but not four! I felt I spent most of the lesson trying to keep my horse a decent distance from the one in front. On Judy I was catching up with Amber, on Amber I was catching up with Judy! Couldn't win.:rolleyes:

So, I'm not sure what I'm going to do now. Do I keep going to lessons, not knowing how many will be there each week? I can't afford private lessons there. Or do I cut my losses and stick to my stable management lessons without riding. The livery yard owner does do lessons and she has a horse she can use for them, so I might be able to ride there. I've had a lesson from her before and she is GOOD!!!

Advice please:(

[pattycake]

I think you answered your own question. You just finished saying you have had weeks of positive experiences, so why would you let one bad day scare you away from what you so obviously enjoy? Is Judy usually such a charming creature, or was it just for the benefit of the beginners? By the time you got on Amber, she could probably sense your anxiety and well, it never really got any better. Give it another couple of lessons and make a decision from there.
I hope your ride goes better next time

Success is measured not so much by the position one attains but by the obstacles one has overcome while trying to succeed. -B.T. Washington :)

[Trixie]

I'm not quite a beginner as I rode for a good few years before losing my confidence - heck I used to jump 4 foot reasonably happily. It's a confidence issue and I seem to have a real problem riding in a group in an enclosed space. I can't ask the school to limit the number of people in a lesson to a number I feel happy with, neither can I keep disrupting the classes.

I thought about this all last night and all today and came to a decision. I'm going to ride at the school for the last time next Sunday. I've contacted the livery yard owner and she will give me lessons at her yard (and I get to play with Phoenix!). I'm going up to see her and Phoenix on Saturday and to finalise arrangements. It means I'll be doing all my horsey stuff at one place.

I don't think I've ever really got over being put on a horse that bucked me off so horribly at the school and it's as if I've lost my trust in them to make sure I'm not asked to handle anything that's too much for me. Thing is, I used to be able to tackle problem horses without batting an eyelid and that's because at my previous school in England the instructors only gave you what you could cope with. When they gave me a problem horse I knew that they felt I could handle it and so that gave me more confidence. They never pushed me though. Recently I've had more than one lesson horse who is just not a confidence giver, in fact is the exact opposite. I'm not blaming the school, but they have a shortage of horses so there isn't much choice. Having said that, at the livery yard there is only one I can have lessons on just now, but I seem to have clicked with the yard owner - somehow she gives me confidence and that's what I desperately need.

I've been feeling really down since yesterday, but taking the bull by the horns this evening has perked me up quite a bit. So, roll on Saturday when I get to bother Phoenix again with kisses and cuddles and grooming!:D

[Wobblydeb]

Hi Trixie :)

I think that from what you've said, you've done the right thing for you. I had a similar situation at my last school in group lessons, and was losing confidence in myself and the instructor each week.

So, even though my new instructor only has a couple of horses I ride, because she is a great instructor and I can have private lessons, I am coming on in leaps and bounds because my confidence is growing.

I think in a lot of ways you've got to be quite confident for group lessons - horses behave differently for a start off. So until you are that confident again, perhaps private is best. It works for me! :D

[Caro]

Oh Trixie, it sounds like you've had a bit of a rotten time - group lessons can be good, but they can also be such confidence drainers. Personally I've decided I learn very little in group lessons, no matter how good the teacher. I'm just too focused on how bad I am compared to everyone else. It works for some people, but not for others.

I think you've made the best decision in asking for lessons with the livery yard owner. If she's good, it's going to bring your confidence on incredibly quickly. Handling a contented horse is also a big help, as I've discovered with the horse I share, but don't whatever you do stop riding.

Good luck and keep us informed how it goes with your next lesson! :)

[Trixie]

On Thursday night, I went up to groom the lad and someone had given him a handful of grain. Now, this boy must NEVER befed by had or he becomes a bit bitey, in that he then thinks that hands contain food. Every time I tried to unbolt his door the teeth came after my hands. It took two people to get me into his stable. Still, I did it and he ended up squeaky clean again.

Up at the yard on Saturday and he was still nibbly - would suddenly lunge at your leg or shoulder - however I'm a fast mover and also remembered a good, loud "No" and it seemed to work. I ended up having to get the yard owner to put on his headcollar and tie him so I could groom him. Still, I did it. I think I might be getting a little better - even managed to completely groom his tail! Boy, I must be getting brave. Ok, so the sweat was rolling down my back with fear, but I did it!

Come the afternoon I was to have a lesson and thought it would be on the lesson horse. Nope! I ended up on the back of an 18.2 mare!!! She was lovely, but I was so tense that I didn't do too well. Never ridden anything that size before. Felt like a pea on a barrel.

Today went up to the yard just with a message and to give the lad an apple. Cut it up and posted it through the bars at the side of his door into his trough. That way he got his treat, but not from hands. Then I was able to stroke his nose for the first time since the latest nibbly stage started.

Keep encouraging me folks, you have no idea how much it helps and thanks so much for all your kind words.

[Sp1cer]

Fiona,

You looked fantastic on Cassie, you did really well :)

I must have missed you up the yard today, I was up about 3ish, rode Rory and he was so good!

Looking forward to our lesson on Wed :)

Pam

[Trixie]

I was up at about 12ish with Matthew in tow. He was very impressed with the size of Cassie - he stood there with his eyes like saucers. Bhudda was great with him, he fell in love with Magic, stroked Murphy on the nose and all the horses seemed fascinated by this little person. Phoenix wasn't sure what to make of him - think he was jealous.

I took Phoenix's and Cassie's grooming kits home and I've scrubbed them till they shine. Why has Phoenix got 3 dandy brushes, five hoof picks and four mane combs, not counting the Solo I just bought him?

Last night I was too lazy to wash my hair and it was a bit greasy so I sprayed on IVHorse mane and tail detangler and gave it a good brush. This morning it was wonderful! Really shiny and full of body and didn't feel like straw. Move over Head and Shoulders!:D

I'm really looking forward to Wednedsay night. Hope Murphy doesn't object. For those of you just tuning in, Pam has introduced me to the wonderful yard that I go to now and has helped me get more confidence. Not only that, but she has offered to let me ride her horse Murphy and had asked her sharer with Rory if I can ride him and she said yes! Pam is a girl in a million and has made the six year old inside this forty year old body a very happy bunny! So, all of you, three cheers for Pam and her kindness with a terrified horse-lover. Who knows, maybe next summer Pam and I will be confident enough to go on a wee hack together:)

[Sp1cer]

*blush*


Im looking forward to tomorrow too, I rode Rory last night and we are getting on much better.

I've got bridles to do tonight, and going to do the saddles tomorrow night!

We should be up the yard for as near to 5:30 as we can.

Pam