Older but not wiser... Oh my god what have I done

Well done I bet you are on cloud nine, you should be proud of yourself.
Its always daunting going into a yard when you do not know anyone, and you're tensed up as you have to catch the horse :)
 
Update - not so bad after all!

Thanks all, for the support, Dina and I are getting on well. We spent a week getting to know each other and she's being a babe. The bridle is definitely going on better if I take the bit off and put it over her head first and she's not so bothered about her buddies coming past. In fact she is now whinnying if I disappear from view! The yard is very friendly and am going out hacking with another newbie on Thursday. Kit is all dirty now... I will add some pics as soon as I can bet the bl**dy computer sorted.:)
 
Oh, what an uplifting thread this is. Well done Gingermonkey and what great words of support. Oldpunk - would you be offended or flattered if I highjack some of your words for a signature??
 
A couple of pics

I've attached some photo's, I haven't managed to get a whole body shot yet and these could be better but hope you all get some idea. (if you recognise her and are from our yard my cover has been blown so please forgive the ramblings of a very nervous madwoman as you have all been lovely so far!)
 

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Gingermonkey, its nice to hear that you are having such a good time.
Regarding nervous moving about while tied up and you trying to do things, I think a lot of that might be the horse getting used to you and what you want from her. Mine had a short phase at the beginning of feverishly shoving for treats when tied up. After I consistently ignored the hints and just carried on quietly with what I was doing, he gradually got calmer. Lots of groundwork and touching gently in different places, moving her feet around where you want her to stand, is all excellent stuff.
OK, and my big thing learned is to ALWAYS expect good behaviour and to try NEVER to ignore the opposite, so she has good firm boundaries with you right from the start. And never forget to praise - its like kids really.
I am so grateful to the people who showed me these things in the beginning.
Oldpunk, I told the helper at our yard about cleaning up more mess than you left and I think she wants to award you a medal for "the best piece of advice for a livery"!!!
 
Hi gingermonkey I've been following your thread with interst as I'm thinking about getting a 17hh dutch warmblood I have never ridden that big befor any words of wisdom as you seem to be doing really well:DI'm going to see him this week so fingers crossed,and good luck with your mare
 
Just cam e across this thread whilst browsing...I am also really stupid as I have bought a (now 8 months old) Irish draught colt (now gelded) as a companion to my mare. I've had horses forever, youngsters, ponies etc. but never thought that he would get sooo attached to my mare. We are currently taking her away for 10 - 20 mins at a time whilst someone else watches him in the stable, he rears and box walks, has jumped out twice in panic (I now have a fully closable gate on the top) and he is going to be about 16.2, which is why it's important to sort his behaviour out now. In every other way he is fine, I can handle him, lead him around in and out of the field, it's just when I shut him in and take her away he is mega distressed. The consequence is I haven't ridden the mare for 2 months (except to take her round the playing field next door for 5 mins), and now I'm worried that I might lose my nerve if I don't ride her 'cos she'll just get sharper and sharper!
 
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