Sudden reappearance of confidence!

[Ginger Thing]

I don't know how it happened, or where it came from, but today, out hacking I had......confidence, yay! :D

If my horse spooked my stomach used to turn over and I'd go into the 'fatal' crouch position, then I gradually got a bit better and just my knees would turn to jelly and my legs would shake, then a bit better again with just my ankles going cold/watery (anyone else have this?)

Today we were on a busy road going past the golf club entrance when we heard a strange noise - I could see a mini digger in the gateway but it wasn't going. Horses started dancing about (Thom HATES noises, is fine with things he can see but very spooky with noises) and then spotted several men in a shed cleaning golf balls in a machine that went 'thud-thud-thud-thud' very rapidly! OH was on Thom, I was behind on Carlow - we ended up going backwards and sideways to the white line in the middle of the road (well, it stopped the traffic ;) ) before the men saw/heard us and switched it off. It was the worst spooking I've ever had on the road, ours are normally very good.

And what did I do? I just sat there with a good contact, sat up straight and said 'steady, steady' then when it stopped and we walked on, I stroked down his neck and we were fine! Nothing turned to water, no shaky legs, no thinking 'oh my god, we're going to bolt down the road', no desire to get off - I was calm and in control! AT LAST!!

[Trewsers]

Thats great! sounds like you coped brilliantly!!! I know just what you mean about jelly limbs - my legs used to turn to jelly (a lot) whilst our on storm!!! Its great when you can actually control your fear - and not go to pieces - for the last few weeks, I've been overcoming my fear of hacking out on Storm, and I must say, my heart used to be in my mouth, everytime she spooked at something, but the past couple of trips - we've both managed rather well. :) Not that I'm saying I'm the worlds greatest hacker or anything....:D Hope your future rides are as sucessful!!!:D

[Tots N Dots]

isnt it a wonderfull feeling, this time last year I was at an all time low, I had an accident 12 years ago and never got over it, since getting Pickle and then Danny things have gone from strength to strength, last weekend I coped with 5 half rears (1st time since accident) a little buck and an attempted take off, thwn 2 full rears a couple of days later, not really something I want to be copeing with, but i didnt turn into a wreck, although I got off in the middle of the second rear I got back on again straight away, I am amazed at myself and cant stop smileing and telling anyone who will listen ;) :D

[Goldie'sGirl]

Good for you! :D It's great to know that your confidence does come back, I trying really hard to find mine!(I'm just hoping it's not too well hidden) Well done again;
~GG~

[Bay Mare]

Hey, that's brilliant :) Well done :)

[ANN H]

Well done. I used to be the same, but I think if you have a spooky horse you just get used to it. Keep up the good work!!

[nicolaj]

Well done!!:D

Did you find the shop that sells confidence and can you let me know where!!

[amandal]

well done you, mine's very slow returning and I look forward to the day I don't feel sick and go foetal every time something happens !!

Having said that I got on board on Saturday for the first time in ages, rode by myself - another big no, no, and in a school we'd only been in once before with the YO's horse hanging his head over the wall, watching our every move.

[NoviceNic]

I remember 19 months ago feeling physically sick before I got on to just sit on Captains back. The I remember last week my knees still knocking on solo hacks. But I try my best to get through whatever is thrown at my way. I just hope for all our sakes we can hang on to this surge of confidence. I reckon the sunny days have something to do with it and the vibes of Showing or Fun Rides. Well Done to you for sitting that scary moment out. Big bottoms come in handy when slowing traffic down..:p

[Tizer]

Well done !! its not easy is it to conquer the fear, but it feels so liberating when you have.

[BeachRiding]

That's great! well done!

[Ginger Thing]

Big bottoms come in handy when slowing traffic down..:p

What are you trying to say?:p

Actually, Carlow is very fine and doesn't have much of a bum, so it must have been mine that stopped the traffic - 'does my bum look big on this?' :D

so nice to share with likeminded people - other folk go 'so what, its no big deal?', but as fellow nervous nellies you know what I mean!

nicolaj, yes I have stocked up on confidence while they had some, so hopefully I've got enough to see me through the summer! Make sure you get some for yourself, ok?;)

[nicolaj]

If decided that I've got to 'feel the fear and ride it anyway' (as the article in H&R says).

My RI has told me that I need to learn to trust my horse more and she is right, I've spent too long stuck in, need to get out and do more!!!:eek:

So I'm going to try this year and push myself a little more!

[Ginger Thing]

Good for you! Go and do it!

I've found I've built my confidence by doing more, but the less I ride the more nervous I get and the less I want to ride!

[Blue Fish]

I don't know how it happened, or where it came from, but today, out hacking I had......confidence, yay! :D


Keep a good hold on it and don't let go now that you have found it again:)

Really pleased for you, we will have to meet at my yard and go hacking together, promise I wont take you past the farm where the pig appears loose in the road and then goes to hide round the corner when you are trying to get past the entrance:eek:

I seem to have this magnet for 'things' to happen whilst I go out as escort with the less confident on my yard. We met two huge articulated lorries down narrow country lanes whilst out one Sunday:eek:
This doesn't seem to have put people off from hacking with me though:)

[nicolaj]

I've found I've built my confidence by doing more, but the less I ride the more nervous I get and the less I want to ride!

That's exactly it! The less riding you do the more you fear it. I've got a horse to enjoy hacking out and going to some shows on etc, otherwise, as OH keeps saying 'sell him', (he doesn't mean it, his way of trying to push me!)

[Spinner]

Glad I'm not alone - got new horse 2 weeks ago & today was the first time I've taken him around a field on my own. Took him around few days ago with another horse but it took off with mine following - 1st time I have had a canter on him so not ideal but after attempting to stop him and failing miserably I went with it and survived! Today Monty went to take off with me in first 2 mins but stopped him and made him walk very very slowly the rest of the way. The YO sat & watched and gave me the confidence to go round again. Legs felt like jelly and a few deep breaths were taken every time he quickened up but managed to trot him the last length of the field without him going into canter. Phew! Sometimes you just have to stretch yourself past that comfort zone! Totally lost confidence last year when bucked off Magic so the first time I have hacked out as such on my own! Monty is a 17.2 shire x so dread the day I do fall off - ouch!

[FRED]

:)
My best friend has been wiped out by a 'Top Gear' :rolleyes:style car driver off his m/bike returning from Wolves game on Saturday,he's asked that when its ok to leave hospital,I pick him up on my m/bike,
the point,
Thats the spirit:) well done