I'm on a mission this year to try a bit of bareback on my Flipo. Last time I was on him for all of 20seconds before he freaked and took off around the school. That was three or four years ago now and we definitely weren't ready for it. He was still a spooky nervy boy and I was a quivering wreck!
Now that we have our mojo back, I have decided this year is the one. I'm not looking to do anything startling, just a wee bit of bareback in the safety of the school but I thought I might help prepare myself by going without stirrups every now and then on the lead up to it to get my balance, relax and breathe!
Well last night on a whim I decided to have ago out hacking. Not the smartest plan possibly but I waited until I could see my field on the way home, flip was plodding happily and I could be confident no bikes or dogs or whatever were gonna jump out from behind a tree (but even if they did, if I fell off here, Flipo would be home in a second (cause he runs when I hit the ejector button) and he wouldn't have to cross any roads.
Well what a palaver. I know I've come a long way confidence wise in the last while but faced with the decision to take my feet out the stirrups for all of about a minute almost sent me into tail spin. I was reminded how bad my nerves were just for getting on my horse, not good at all!
Gingerly, I eventually managed one foot out, leaving my stirrup dangling incase I wanted it back and it took another wee while before I eventually took the other foot out. It felt odd and in some ways I think it might be better to ride without a saddle but I need more confidence without stirrups. Don't you think we rely on them too much? Is it a bad thing?
Now that we have our mojo back, I have decided this year is the one. I'm not looking to do anything startling, just a wee bit of bareback in the safety of the school but I thought I might help prepare myself by going without stirrups every now and then on the lead up to it to get my balance, relax and breathe!
Well last night on a whim I decided to have ago out hacking. Not the smartest plan possibly but I waited until I could see my field on the way home, flip was plodding happily and I could be confident no bikes or dogs or whatever were gonna jump out from behind a tree (but even if they did, if I fell off here, Flipo would be home in a second (cause he runs when I hit the ejector button) and he wouldn't have to cross any roads.
Well what a palaver. I know I've come a long way confidence wise in the last while but faced with the decision to take my feet out the stirrups for all of about a minute almost sent me into tail spin. I was reminded how bad my nerves were just for getting on my horse, not good at all!
Gingerly, I eventually managed one foot out, leaving my stirrup dangling incase I wanted it back and it took another wee while before I eventually took the other foot out. It felt odd and in some ways I think it might be better to ride without a saddle but I need more confidence without stirrups. Don't you think we rely on them too much? Is it a bad thing?