I'm being wimpy about my lesson this pm

[Wobblydeb]

I've got a lesson in a couple of hours - and it's REALLY windy up here :eek: Of my instructor's 3 horses, 2 can be rather spooky in this kind of weather, and I'm getting myself in a tizz :o

I am so tempted to phone her up and say that if the non-spooky mare isn't working, can we perhaps have a lesson about lunging instead :p

I'm not leaving the nervous nellies club just yet.... :o

[Gill]

It is very windy isnt it? Gusty here, no chance of riding today.
If you are going to H's at least it is very sheltered! Enjoy yourself.

[Arabesque]

Goooo you'll be fine. Being rational, what's the worst that could possibly happen?
If not today, it may well be tomorrow... you gotta get it out in it sometime!

[The Flying Irishman]

Personally I wouldn't dream of riding in this wind after all there might be a stray crisp packet that decides to whisk in front of the horse........way to scary

[chapsi]

A lunge lesson is good for balance and to improve seat position. :D

[ANN H]

Remember, you should do at least one thing each day that scares you. You'll have to do it sometime so might as well face it. My mare's bad in the wind and the dark but I'm building up her confidence (and mine) in stages by riding in the dusk, gale force winds, etc. Just go for it if you feel you can. You'll feel great afterwards. Let's know how it goes. (Not THAT windy in Liverpool today).

[Wobblydeb]

A lunge lesson is good for balance and to improve seat position. :DActually I was thinking more about getting my instructor to teach me TO lunge :) i.e From the ground. So I'm already there and cannot fall onto it ;)

Leaving in 10 minutes, and I haven't called in advance - Gill is right, it is reasonably sheltered up there, so I'm going to see what it is like when I arrive :)

[Wobblydeb]

haha! I survived.... in fact I had a GREAT lesson :D AND I was on one of the 2 spooky horses. Apparently he's not too bad in the wind. :rolleyes:

Thinking about it - he's one of those horses that takes the mick a lot. He's getting less spooky as I get to be a better rider :p

[Trewsers]

Well done - glad to hear you are still with us!!!! :D

[Goldie'sGirl]

i.e From the ground. So I'm already there and cannot fall onto it ;)
Thats a really good statergy :D :cool:
Well done for going though you were very brave :p

[Stella2]

Hi Deb, I'm glad it went well :) Was your lesson at Henri's? I bet the other spooky one is Christie. She is gorgeous in many ways, but she can be 'a character' when in a spooky mood can't she? :D

[Ap Nudd]

Wobblydeb wrote:

I've got a lesson in a couple of hours - and it's REALLY windy up here Of my instructor's 3 horses, 2 can be rather spooky in this kind of weather, and I'm getting myself in a tizz

I felt exactly the same this morning - spooky, windy weather.

And when I got to the yard, I was told to ride a different horse - not the usual old plod (nice, safe, sensible old plod) - "Because you're more experienced now, it'll do you good to ride a horse that's a bit more challenging!"

Then the b*gger went and spooked while I was brushing him (a stray leaf, I believe). He jumped two feet to his left and I immediately jumped two feet to my right. My nerves were like piano wires after that.

Our canter had to be seen to be believed. All over the place. I now realise that I can't canter and steer at the same time.

Why is it, when I'm riding one of the plods, I hanker for a more forward-going horse ("walk faster, dammit, walk faster!")... and when I'm given a more forward-going horse, I get scared stiff.

This gin I'm drinking now... purely medicinal, you understand.... :p

[Skib]

Wobblydeb,
I am so glad you are OKay - but I absolutely disagree with the people who say one should brave it out.
I thought like you this morning. It was very windy even in London. Yesterday was windy. My instructor's horse was attacked by a dog, was spooky throughout and spun round when a maintenance lorry moved. At this point my own mare also turned and ran.

What I needed today was to stay SAFE.
You were quite right to ask for a quiet horse in such bad weather. Today I chose a wide straight ride, less windy, and not to canter. And with the full support of the young woman who usually takes me out. We had a tame ride by our normal standards but we did some trotting and and backing up and messed about like girls in a pony story book.
The absolute priority is not to get scared of riding and to organise your riding so you minimise the risks. Take care.

[horse trainer]

just ask how u can ride were are u