At the stables near my house
Today I was on Lady
Who is in fact Rayons mother
Rayon you might remember from last week who was like a bolt of lightening he was so fast
I was in a class of four today
With Lisa
Who you might also remember from last week
Who is the ex show jumper
Chloe who actually works at the stables
And another kid whose name I didn't get
Right from the start
I felt way out of my depth
All these girls had been riding for years
And here I was with less than four months experience
Trying my best to keep up
Roisin was out instructor again today
This lesson feels a lot different from the horse therapy I do on a Wednesday
I feel a lot more pressure at these lessons
To perfect things
And to get things right
Horse therapy is so much more gentle and relaxed
Of course we try and do things right there too
But these lessons are definitely proper lessons
So yea
I did feel like I was trying to keep up today
I'm really trying to work on my canter
Roisin tells me I am bouncing rather than sitting in
At one point she said everyone was sitting in except for me
That didn't help my confidence much
But then again
At another point she said I was doing well for a beginner
I would love to ask Roisin if it is worth my while keeping it up
I mean shit
I know I'm never going to be a champion horse rider
But it would like to know if I am making progress
As I am trying really hard
And it's always nice to get some positive feedback
I forgot to ask Roisin today
But I will definitely ask her next week
I just want to know that all my hard work is not in vain
And I am at least improving A little
I came home feeling a bit deflated after the lesson
And did something incredibly stupid
I was measuring out my methadone
Thinking I only had today's and tomorrow left
And accidentally took two days instead of one
Which leaves me with no methadone for Monday
How stupid of me
Now I'm going to have to get to the doctor on Monday
Which is a right pain
But I can't go without it
It had to be done
So needless to say
I am not having a good day so far
Roisin tells me that cantering should be easier
But I feel like I am bouncing quite a lot m
I try to sit in
And do the things that Roisin shouts at me
But I just felt like a total numpty today
In comparison with the others
I had a chat with my Mam when I came home
She thinks I put too much pressure on myself
She is not wrong
I am very hard on myself
And I want everything done yesterday
I have to remember to pace myself
To allow myself time to learn and improve
I mean I do love it
But I probably enjoy horse therapy more
I know some of you have experience with horses
Don't was wondering if you had any advice
For someone whose confidence is at an all time low
I want to ask for feedback from the instructors
But part of me is afraid they are going to say that I should probably not give up my day job
I don't know
I guess I am just having a rough day
Below are some photos from today
I keep forgetting to get a photo when I'm on the horse
The first ones are of me and the beautiful Lady
The last couple are of myself and Lady
And Lisa and Rayon
Also
Any tips and advice on riding are very much appreciated
I find it interesting, the difference between therapy and lessons. You've definitely opened my eyes to the benefits of equine therapy (though I'd still tell my old MHN to shove it where the sun don't shine). Even if you're not making huge steps in form, as long as you're enjoying it and it's helping you, that's what really matters.
ReplyDeleteYou look very much the part!
<3
xx
In reality
DeleteI think I am improving
But probably not as fast as id like
I think I need to decide what to do between the two stables
And pick one or the other
I enjoy both
But I guess it boils down to what I want out of it
Lots to think about
But whatever happens
I will continue to ride x
said before but lose the stirrups, makes u sit deep hold saddle if you want.
ReplyDeletedon't want sound bossy but very horsey past! jo x
might email instead so difficult now to comment wonder if other s having same thing
ReplyDeleteYes do email Jo
DeleteAnd you're not bossy at all
It's all good advice
And I really need that at the moment x
this is a very important moment hun, to keep going now! REGARDLESS of what Roisin might have to say! this is where we often fail, we ED people with our fragile confidence, craving for approval.
ReplyDeletebut it is a great opportunity to learn for life: you love riding! you do not need anyone to tell you if its "worth your while". Also you have been doing this for a very short time and you have been so brave.YOU do know that! and now keep going! besides the stable with Roisin sounds a bit on the tough side (or just money making?), you should be in group with riders on your level, instead, because they way is now, there is no way to keep up , as they have been riding so much longer!
And now you go girl! keep doing what you love, this and the gorgeous animals should always be "worth our while!
xx
PS:looking great!!!
This is very true Julia
DeleteI do want to be told I am doing well
And my confidence and self esteem is do very fragile
I will hang in there though
If only for the love of the animals x
She's lovely!! Like a horse out of a Western film.
ReplyDeleteIf you enjoy it, keep at it. You don't have to be the best, or even close to the best; what maters is you're enjoying it. Take my music--I'm absolute rubbish on the guitar and only middling on the bass, but I love playing music, so I keep doing it. I know I'll never even be excellent (or even very good, to be honest), but I can be ok, and I'm totally cool with that.
Jo has some good advice^
Maybe at one of your upcoming therapy lessons, see if they'll let you ride with no saddle. It will give you a better feel for how a horse moves in general (which is more difficult to do in a saddle), so that when you're back in a saddle, you'll be better able to interpret the horse's movements and adjust your position to suit it. It's all about falling into the same rhythm as the horse.
It took me ages to master cantering, they had me cantering around the field with no saddle OR bridle, and while that was terrifying, it sort of forced me to learn how to sit on the hose. ...also made me a speed-freak when it comes to horse riding--the faster and wilder the horse, the more I wanted to make friends. The retired racehorses were my fav, they are CRAAAAAZY.
xoxo
Thanks Mich
DeleteYou sound like you know what you are talking about
I'm thinking I might concentrate on horse therapy for the moment
Maybe going to two different lessons is confusing matters
Hope you're well my dear x
Unfortunately in the world people are OFTEN very snappy and bossy. Totally different to counselors therapists family, nurses and the like.
ReplyDeleteThey just expect you can take it. On one hand thats not so bad!
My best advice is DON'T TAKE IT PERSONALLY.
Just remember you are there for your own reasons...to gain skills...not to be the most loved or whatever.
BUT If its detrimental to your confidence at this stage PLEASE stick to horse therapy! You can go back to lessons later.
Don't unravel over this!!
MUCH LOVE shelby xoxo
Don't worry darl
DeleteI won't unravel over this
Yesterday was a tough day
Today I feel a little better
It takes more than that to bring this girl down
But you are right
People in the real world can be pushy and bossy
I am so used to bring around kind gentle people
Who almost carry me along
How and ever
I won't give up just yet x
Ha, you should've seen me when I just started riding, bouncing like a squirrel on speed with my legs flailing behind me. But even I ended up a pretty good rider with time. That's the keywords: with time.
ReplyDeleteThe thing is, you are a beginner. You cannot master riding just like that. I know, you want it NOW, goddamit, but it takes a lot of work (because that is EXACTLY what you want to hear right now XD).
Or maybe there is too much going on in your life right now, maybe horse therapy is enough? I mean, TWO different classes? Most of us had to do with one :)
That's it CP!
DeleteExactly!
I want it to all happen now for me
I want to be a proper horse rider right now this second
I am impatient at the best of times
But yes
I think I may be confusing things with the two lessons
So I might rethink the whole situation x
You're lightyears beyond me with the horse experience, so I really have no advice to offer. BUT...my heart will always be in the therapy camp. So much healing can come from connecting with an animal, especially a horse that holds so much power. I agree with your mam that you're very hard on yourself.
ReplyDelete