Sunday 15 May 2022

Deflated

Just over here reminding everyone progress is non linear, and confidence wobbles happen.

Lesson weekend was a tough one. Sophie came out pretty sharp and reactive, but since that’s been our norm of late and she’s been relaxing as the ride progresses, I was in no way feeling worried or negative about it. 

Warming up, S was pretty looky at the fact there were people watching from a place I guess she doesn’t normally expect (a wood judges booth type thing), and so we walked by a couple times and said hi and I let her look. Unfortunately the next time I trotted past someone (I think) dropped something and it made a bang and scared her. We ended up tripping/falling over a nearby wooden bridge that was part of a trail obstacle left out from the working equitation clinic the weekend before, which scared her further, and finished the antics a good part of the way across the arena. In that moment, despite showing some surprising stickability and I think handling it just fine from a riding standpoint, mentally I kind of started to falter. 

Relaxing image. Ponies still have winter coats because it’s been record breaking dark, wet, and cold this spring. 

Poor Sophie’s hamster was off the wheel too, and my “she’s-reactive-but-I-can-handle-it” thoughts started to veer further towards “I Don’t Actually Have This At All” territory. I was left doing circles, figure eights, serpentines for life, in the “safe” part of the arena, we’d both start to breathe and then a new thing would set her off. 

We finished with a couple of fairly interpretive goes around a little course. It was set up to be a few sets of walk and trot poles plus a couple of jumps just set to poles on the ground. Cantering and/or deer leaping even the walk poles and spooking at the jumps and wings was the method  ( why, I don’t know…she’s well acquainted with poles and trotting through grids and crossrails, normally a great way to get her focus,  but genuinely seemed worried on the day.)


Neither of us  worried about the same jumps and poles the week prior

 I wouldn’t be honest if I said I didn’t walk away feeling pretty demoralized. My inability to get her back and consistently checked in with me was a very hard thing for me to work through. Even with an hour of time and super positive coaching, I definitely had moments where I was ready to quit and find my horses a better rider.

So, that kind of stunk. But, we move on, and of course I’ll get back on and keep trying to improve. 

Also, pony appears to have the makings of a pretty scopey jumper, so there’s that. 




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14 comments

  1. I'm sorry the lesson wasn't the best :( that's such a sucky feeling. But hey - scope is good!!

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    1. Right? Jumper pony prospect! I'm looking forward to some better rides this week and a bit of redemption - young horses sure don't let you phone it in, even a little.

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  2. Idk if this will help, but a few years back I went to a horseshow and Gavin just lost his marbles. There were a few things that set him off, but I could NOT get his brain reinstalled (and he was much older than Sophie). We very nearly ran into the ring steward while he bucked, reared, and bolted around the warmup. I rode one very dangerous test, and then burst into tears the moment I left the ring. And now I just got home from a show where he was a very good boy. All of that to say, we all have those days, and I can commiserate. I'm sorry you had a crap ride!

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    1. I'm sorry that happened, but yes, I'm also sorry to say it does make me feel better 😁 You two are super inspiring and he seems like such a good guy, it's nice to be reminded we all have rough days!

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  3. Those used to be my daily rides on Cisco. Had to start every ride in the safe end of the ring, some rides we never made it more than E, tense and looking like a llama. He still gives the scary end the hairy eyeball every single day, but we get down there on a mostly loose rein, and has been so chill lately that I have to re-learn how to ride my horse - I don't know how to ride the lazy version!
    I totally give credit to the soundproof ear bonnet - when I started using it last spring is when things started to change. It feels like a gimmick to me, which I hate, but he is so much more relaxed in it and it isn't something that will affect how he uses his body (except for the more relaxed thing) so I can accept it.
    Horses keep you humble, and if it was boring would we truly be happy? (Probably, but I wouldn't know!)

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    1. That's a good idea - I had one for another horse and it helped her focus until she gained enough confidence. I've got the opposite problem - used to non spooky ponies and this one is not that!

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  4. That sounds like a hard day. Getting consistency with green horses is such a long road. Don't be too hard on yourself. Realistically, how many riders could really have done a better job? If it's any consolation, I had the wobbles a bit this weekend too. Nothing went wrong on my haul out but I had the realization of how MANY miles we have to go until we are showing at a rated dressage show.and how much more exposure Cruise will need coming from my quiet two horse farm. He's doing great but it is SLOW and sometimes feels like climbing Everest. I told my husband the next horse is going to have more miles because I am getting old! Then I looked at my 2022 goals and have cracked 3/4 of them without an arena! Sometimes a little perspective of circumstances and goals is really good for me. I hope you have better rides this week!

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    1. I wish I didn't get so in my head, because you're (of course) 100% right, the only thing to do was what we did - which doesn't require much expertise at all (but some extra confidence wouldn't hurt!) We've made a ton of really excellent progress this spring and I've accomplished a lot of what I wanted to training wise. I'm with you...came home saying next time I would save money and buy something further along, but then also Bridget is off for breeding, so I'm basically going to be Baby Horse Person for infinity lol

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  5. Your post takes me right back to 5 year old Annie.
    I remember that feeling SO well - please remember that it won't last <3 These green, silly ponies grow up and things will get better! It can feel so unsurmountable at the time, but you have done SO well with her.
    Gah, horses sure know how to knock our confidence in ourselves down a notch or two sometimes.
    Sending you hugs!

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    1. Aww, thanks for the reminder and the vote of confidence <3 You and Annie are amazing, hope all is well up there :D

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  6. This still happens to me, even now. 🤷‍♀️ Keep pushing and the trips and slips wont seem so bad. When you go back to basics of circles and serpentines you perfect your foundation. The work is not lost.

    Sometimes it is my horse that loses confidence, and he does better if I not focus on his mistake(s) and slow down my corrections. Unfortunately my frayed nerves can make my corrections sharper and then he panics. Still a work in progress.

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    1. I identify with the nerves = sharper corrections thing for sure, as much as I try to stay quiet and relaxed! I like the thought that we're just perfecting the foundation :)

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  7. I can so relate to this. It will get better. I promise. Carmen will still be reactive at times. So it is entirely possible that while it will get better, there may be times when things go poorly. It comes with the talent I believe. But you'll get better at having the aftermath be much shorter than now.

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    1. I totally get caught up in the idea that I don't/can't handle it well and am not giving her the support she needs and so we both spiral. I hope I can improve enough to be more comfortable and knowledgeable with how to ride Sophie. Your journey with Carmen and all the bits of wisdom in your blog are things I often consider, you've really done right by her and it shows.

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