Progress (or lack of) update!

[MadMumInKent]

Hello Domane and anyone else who missed me ;)

Hmmm where to start... First things first, Pumpkin is fine, happy as larry :) Last time I posted I think I mentioned I moved back to my old yard. Well, this was a good move as I'm much happier there, as is Pumpkin who is now back on 24/7 turnout much to his relief. On the downside, all the independance we'd built up on the DIY yard has gone down the pan, and I haven't hacked him out on his own since before the move back. Also going back to full livery, I feel like some of the bond I built up on DIY has gone as I don't see him every day at the mo (summer hols almost over tho!)

Had my riding assessed for my NVQ and it was pretty dismal. My riding has really gone downhill in the past year, mainly my position. I don't have many lessons generally, and to be honest, me and Plumps just enjoy each other and my position etc, as long as I'm safe and in control, isn't really an issue for me (bad mum!!) So my confidence went a bit (lot) downhill following that assessment. So in order to put things right, I had a lesson on YOs horse. 17hh ID, lovely in temperament, but got overexcited in canter, went faster and faster, wouldn't stop, and then when he got to the end of the school and had to turn, he went one way and I went another :rolleyes: Of course, once I was on the ground, he stopped immediately :rolleyes: First time I've fallen off since I was a kid! Blimey I didn't think it would hurt so much!! I could hardly walk for a week, I bashed my hip and the bottom of my back and I was black and blue. Didn't do much to help my confidence issues with regards to my riding!! :p So, due to this, and the pressure of assessments and workload, and also now I work part time too, I later jacked in my NVQ and decided that I should go back to enjoying Pumpkin and to hell with everything else :D However, school hols and all that, its so hard to get away from the kids, and I've been feeling so guilty about leaving Pumpkin with hardly any exercise. I dipped a toe into the water of share-hunting and had a lady try him out the other day. She's coming back Tuesday to spend some more time with him. I haven't quite decided if this is the way to go yet, but I thought if I relieved some of the guilt and pressure I'd start enjoying my horsey life again instead of it feeling like a chore. (again, bad mum!!)

So all in all, roll on 5th Sept when the kids go back to school (yes, once again, bad mum!) so that I can get up the yard, spend long hours there with Pumpkin and recreate the bond we had a couple of months ago, and basically just chill out with my gorgeous horse.

Sorry for the essay, but blame it on Domane, she asked!! :p

[LindaAd]

Don't beat yourself up, MadMum - horses thrive on a bit of neglect, and so do kids - and it sounds as if you're doing a grand job of juggling everything ...

I think you're absolutely right to abandon the NVQ - was it in riding and horse management? I didn't know there was an NVQ in that - No point struggling just for the sake of a qualification.

The important thing is that Pumpkin is happy, and your kids ... and you! Not necessarily in that order! But don't disappear for too long again, will you. Hope your sharer works out.

Linda

[MadMumInKent]

Thanks Linda :) I'll stick around this time... and once I'm back in the swing of things, I'll no doubt be posting like theres no tomorrow :)

[chickflick1066]

Hey Stranger ;)

[domane]

Was my hint not that subtle then MMIK???? ;)

Lovely to hear from you.... sorry to hear you hit the deck... I know my time will come and quite frankly I'm absolutely dreading it...I just know I shall hear something snap!!! :eek:

As you are probably aware I have a young (well, they're 28 but that's young to me!!!) married couple as my sharers and they are absolutely wonderful.... I couldn't wish for a nicer couple... all my fellow liveries keep telling me how lovely they are too so I know I have made the right choice. My way of thinking is that instead of taking Cherry away from me, I am sharing the pleasure of her with others and that keeps me on an even keel. I had my first sharer-Sunday today when there was no horse show to go and watch and I was at a loss with what to do but I know that will pass as autumn arrives and I will be glad to be able to lounge around in front of an ancient Sunday afternoon movie guilt-free!!! I know already that the time I spend with Cherry now is more quality and precious so I make the most of it and I know she is in safe hands on the days I am not there. If you are undecided, but you feel that this lady is right, why not have a month's trial, then you can make a firm decision....?

I think you did the right think abandoning your NVQ - sounds like you lost sight temporarily of your enjoyment of "Plumps"...

There just aren't enough hours in the day to pack everything in, are there???

Keep us updated..... :)

[Whatanejit]

Welcome back but where are the gratuitous picks of your darling boy?;)

Echo others re the NVQ. Me and OH failed our BHS stage 1 riding last month - we passed our care, though which we were delighted about.

It really knocks you a bit and makes you feel that you are not good enough for your horse but after a bit of self councilling and support from NR you realise that is not true.

Our problem was lower leg position and ok we need to sort it if we plan to jump etc. However, if you look at the complete difference in Lower leg, rein contact and hand position and body posture between English riding and Western you realise that horses are ridden in all sorts of ways but as long as the rider is balanced both she and the horse should be ok.

You have your harmony with Plumps so that is fine.

Sorry you are feeling a bit bruised physically and emotionally. You will come out of it a stronger person and plumps in the meantime is happily enjoying loads of turn out, loadsa grass and is very thankful to mum who he thinks is just giving him a bit of a holiday.:D

xx

Dee

[Imp]

Hi MMIK; the summer hols knock normal life for six don't they! Pumpkin will enjoy seeing more of you, the bond will not be broken and I'm sure things will pick right back up when you've got the time to invest :)

I echo W'jit... pictures of your luverly pink Pumpkin are always welcome round here :D

Lynda x

[Little Dolphins]

Great to hear from you, MMIK! You were the first person I pm-ed(can't remember what about!) when I joined NR, so I think of you as one of the 'establishment' when I was a newby;)

Hey, sorry about your fall- OUCHY. I always get the osteopath to check me over. This time she said:" Ah, first thing I notice is your head's several centimetres out of alignment..." :eek: They didn't bother to tell me about THAT at the doc's/hosp.

Know what you mean, too, about chillin out with your gorg. horse. Sometimes wish it could be just about that...
I'm looking for a sharer/loaner too.

Perhaps my question to you all those months ago was: What's it like being a horse owner?!!!

Hope you keep posting :)

[wanabe]

Thanks for the update! No advice for you, sorry. :)

My last 2 falls have been in the exact same circumstance as yours. :(

[Est]

Nice to hear from you again! Some piccies of gorgeous Pumpkin would certainly be in order ;)
Sorry about your fall. I hate coming off, it's always so sudden and unexpected that it feels like a real shock! Hope you feel less bruised soon and get a bit more spare time with Pumpkin when "normal" life re-starts in September :)

[Skib]

Had my riding assessed for my NVQ and it was pretty dismal. My riding has really gone downhill in the past year, mainly my position.

MadMumm, I am surprised and not too pleased to learn that NVQs put so much emphasis on position.
I met a senior chap at the BHS who compared it to trying to fit all sizes and shapes of foot into one size of boot. He was trying to cure the BHS of that obsession with position. And now it seems it is everywhere?
Cant remember how old you are, but I echo those who say dont bother with it, nor feel downcast, nor embark on risky lessons. Few of us have a perfect body. I look good from the right hand side and rubbish from the left. But it doesnt stop me riding and enjoying it. So go for it and enjoy it too. What you look like to an examiner is not half so important as what the horse understands from you both on the ground and when you ride.

[Sparklie]

Nice to hear from you MMIK :)
And good to hear that the lovely Pumpkin is keeping well. Sorry to hear about your fall though, that must have hurt a bit. It seems that after a certain age (I think it's around 16), you no longer bounce!! I was quite shocked to find this out...I don't remember it hurting so much when I was younger and regularly went flying from small ponies!!

[NoviceNic]

Yey a MMIK and Pumpkin update. You have been sorely missed MMIK.;) Sorry to hear you have had a fall. Dont worry about neglecting the kids. I do it all the time. :p Well if they want to see there Mum they know where I am. :D All they have to do is track down Captain's bottom and I am there.:D I used to be 100% devoted Mum and Wife. But I have to admit since I have had Captain I really appreciate my me time now. It has changed me but hopefully for the better. I have a meaning to my life now. :) Look forward to seeing your photo's and more updates of the lovely Pumpkin.

[VickiGG]

Hi Mad Mum
Don't worry about falling off - it wasn't on Pumpkin so it doesn't count! :)

I have fallen off Garbo (had him a year now) 4 times - nothing for the first six months then I guess as you approach new challenges it's gets harder to stay on (jumping for example). I can honestly say the more you fall off - the less it hurts and that kind of takes the fear away.

The first time I fell off I broke my shoulder - nothing broken since then (oh that was not on my own horse)...

Another funny story - I went to the UK for a working holiday in 1991 and my bosses bought me a horse ride in Cornwall for my birthday! I was 24. Last time I had been on a horse was for my 21st where I had done exactly what you did - fell off when horse went in opposite direction - only trouble was I fell under the horse (from clinging on for dear life and slipping off that way) and it's hoof hit me in the mouth and my front tooth went through my lip - broke off entirely. Anyway - back to Cornwall - I had never had a lesson in my life, no Pony Club for this child. Got on our horses. We had to trot round the paddock in a circle as a group in a line before the trek went out.

I started my attempt at rising trot and this lady with a very posh voice yells at the top of her voice - pointing at me THAT GIRL CAN'T RIDE! I wasn't allowed to go on the ride :(

So I didn't get back on a horse until I was 38!

Sharing sounds like an excellent idea - the guilt just makes you feel bad otherwise.

Nice to hear how you are doing - don't forget photos.

[WYORider]

MadMum, do you have a picture of Pumkin? The link in your signature doesn't work for me :-( I would love to see your horse!

[AliC]

Hi!

Hope you are feeling better now after your fall. If you need moral support I can always come over when you are riding, I don't mind walking if you fancy a hack. Good exercise for me too!

Ali
x