Confidence Riding

So, I guess I want this blog to be something, you as a reader, can enjoy. I’m going to try and vary things. This blog will therefore be a variety of showing off some products, showing you some of my favourites and giving you, a look into, our week. This week I’ve been thinking about Confidence Riding!

It’s something most of us suffer with. We all have our different fears; travelling faster, hacking, riding in the school, the list goes on. Even the best riders take confidence knocks.

I’m currently lacking confidence riding, although I feel it’s improving. I’m finding it so frustrating. I almost want to slap myself and tell myself to grow a pair.

I’m worried of things that I previously wouldn’t even consider. I feel like it’s not even my horses that are the problem, it’s just me. In fact, the problem is my own mind. I’ve learnt I have quite an imagination. I’m imagining my 15 hand cob taking off and jumping our yards main gate which I’m sure is at least 7 feet tall, probably bigger. I know, completely crazy. Even more crazy if you know Dolly, and know that putting much effort in is far too much work for her. 

And people just don’t seem to understand, unless they are in the same position. They tell you to just go and do it, like it’s the easiest thing in the world. Which it probably is, and I could probably do all the things I want without any problems. But it’s like I have this barrier in my head that I can’t break through.

My current aim, is to do something that I’m a bit worried about every ride. To try and beat the fear every ride. It doesn’t always happen. I find those days the most frustrating. I tend to take that frustration out on everybody else, when the one thing I’m most frustrated with is me.

I know that for some people, they find that they can’t progress because they have a very forward going horse. But I don’t have that problem. I can’t even blame my horse. I try, but I can’t. Both my girls have their stupid days, but neither of them are unsafe. And what will annoy me even more, is that I’ll have a great day where I have a brilliant ride, and then the next day I’m back to my nervous wreck self.

The other thing is, everyone is different, so what works for one person doesn’t necessarily work for another. Where I feel like I need to be pushed out of my comfort zone, others need a more understanding, nicer approach.

What I find is really helping me at the moment is Ellen. Ellen is just a dream when it comes to ridden. She must be the best thing I’ve ever bought. Whereas Dolly arrived and turned out not to be the dream ride we were hoping for, Ellen is. She’s a big girl, but she has a big heart. Don’t get me wrong, I love Dolly. She’s a brilliant ride, and when I finally get my confidence improved, I’ve promised Dolly that we will have a lot of fun. I’m not neglecting riding Dolly, because she needs to be ridden as much as I need to be riding. But Ellen is one of those horses that just fills you with confidence. I’m not sure I’ll find another Ellen. She’s so unique. 

I wish that for those reading, feeling like they are the same boat, I could offer a solution. I wish I had one for myself. Mine is often trying to take my mind off, of the ridiculous imaginary possibilities. I talk, probably more to myself than my horse, actually I know that it’s more to me than them.

I think setting goals works. I need to keep pushing myself out of my comfort zone. My ultimate goal is to go out on fun rides. My little piebald cob and I alongside my mum and Ellen.

So, let me know how you’re doing. Are you struggling with confidence? What do you do or what have you done to improve your confidence? Does your mind also wander off and come up with the most ridiculous things your horse might do? What are your goals? Would love to hear some of your stories.