Better lesson - feeling happier

[nelle]

HI

I had a good old moan about my share last weekend as she had been playing up big time. A few of you suggested that I should take some lessons on a horse better suited to me and come back to her when I had more experience and confidence, which i think was good advise.

However, I am as stubborn as my share and am really reluctant to give her up just yet (although if I felt her behaviour was really putting me in danger or my confidence was getting totally shattered I would).

I really have grown quite attached to this little pony, who is sweet on the ground, good to tack and groom etc; she lives literally next door to me; I don't pay anything for sharing her (although I do all mucking out, feeding and pay half towards shoeing and jabs) and after the £200 share that Purple Hugs went to see I realised what a good deal I have; my RI is a freelance who comes to the yard and is brilliant - I had lessons at 2 riding schools before I took on my share and would be reluctant to give up my RI and go back to RS as I have nothing but praise for her teaching ability.

Anyway - decided that this little pony ( all 14 hh of her) was not going to beat me just yet and resolved to be firmer and more confident in my ability to make her do what I wanted - AND IT WORKED!

Yesterday, just had a great lesson. Lots of 20m circles - trotting and cantering - in other lessons nerves always got the better of me in canter and after a few strides I start to tense and draw my legs up, but yesterday after trotting circles I suddenly realised how much easier it was to canter:D :D

Now don't get me wrong - it wasn't all great. Had to hop off and RI got on to show me how it's done as she was being awkward and cutting corners. Had to use lots of leg aides as she was being stubborn big time (legs killing today) and cantering on wrong leg BUT despite all that I feel she was responding to me and by the end of the lesson we were trotting and cantering 20m circles better than I have ever done before. Also did some trotting poles and when she got excited and starting to run away with me I bought her back and steadied her up before I let her trot on.

This is just the first step and I know I may still have to think again - but am feeling more positive and wanted to share it with you! Am still grinning now!:D

Phew - this is my longest post ever I think. Thanks for reading it x

[Kimo]

Yeah Nelle!

I'm glad you stuck to it. Congrats!

I've heard some Parelli quotes that help me out when my mare is acting up. (Oh yes, it happens :rolleyes: )

Love, language and leadership in equal doses (the leadership part is hard for me)
There's no such thing as a perfect horse. (not Parelli, but it's something they say, too)
Work on yourself--Play with your horse.
Inside every wild horse there's a tame one, and inside every tame horse there's a wild one. (What I think when I get too laid-back)

And so on...

[Whatanejit]

Well done you for sticking with it.

Keep it up.

xx

[Laetitia]

Sounds as tho' you've cracked it. Continue the way you are and you'll soon find a lovely responsive pony that's a pleasure to ride. L

[Ross]

Well done for sticking with it :) Try and make sure you've got things to work on between lessons, so that you don't loose focus on where you're going. This sort of thing is all about consistency, so remember to always be firm, so that the pony knows what is and isn't allowed.

It will all get easier as it becomes second nature - and it will. Remember how hard it was to rise to the trot when you first started - and now you do it without thinking about it? It's the same sort of thing...

Ross