Then it got a bit sticky:
My rear end really hurts. Specifically, my tail bone. Some days I just want to bang my head against a wall. Today is one of those days, but as usual I will not do so because then all I'd have is a throbbing head in addition to my throbbing rear end.
But as I have learned approximately a million times over (or at least that's what it seems), you just have to brush yourself off and get back in the saddle and try again.
So that's what I did.
I made her WORK.
Ultimately we ended on a very positive note. I just wish my tailbone wasn't throbbing right now.
I have some thoughts on my confidence and how it is literally shattered every time I fall, and rebuilt as soon as I get back in the saddle. I feel terrible about how many times I've fallen off lately. Trust me I do everything in my power to stay in the saddle. It's simple self-preservation, but sometimes G-forces and gravity overpower my sheer will and off I go! It sucks, I hate it, I am embarrassed but this blog isn't about telling lies and saying "retraining this horse is awesome and rewarding all the time!" because it's not. The important thing in my opinion is to find some glimmer of positivity in every session and use that to bolster both our confidence levels.
Sorry you hit the dirt and I hope you feel better today. I think the reason there are so many skinny TBs standing in someone's back yard is that a healthy, fit TB is a lot of horse, way too much for most people. Lucy is still young, you guys will get over this hump and she will learn how to put all that energy into something more constructive.
ReplyDeleteNina was skinny skinny skinny and docile when I got her too. Now she pins her ears and shakes her head at me and her whole body quivers with energy while she decides whether to give in or oppose me. I am looking forward to that energy being mine to direct. First we both have to survive the re-training process.
Well, at least she's feeling good, right? Ears pricked, forward energy... she's quite happy to dump you off once in a while. Keeps owners from getting cocky. ;-)
ReplyDeleteSucks to hit the dirt, but think what a brave rider you are now--always having to get on. Careful with the tailbone--mine took FOREVER to heal after I fell off last fall.
ohh tailbone bruises do hurt. She is challenging and you are riding her through it. At this point, you are doing exactly what you should be. There are times where IF they want us off, they win. Getting back on and making her work it out seems to be the key. I can't believe you get such good pictures and video of it!
ReplyDeleteI admire your attitude so much. It takes a heck of a lot of guts to get back on a horse that just dumped you and do more than just trot around a few times and call it a day.
ReplyDeleteYou look so determined in that last picture!
Oh man...You are a brave, brave girl.
ReplyDeleteLet me preface my assvice by saying that I think you are a wonderful rider, 10 times the rider and the seat I will ever be or have:) I hope Lucy is ultimately the partner for you that you deserve and your rides are more of the brilliance and less of the craziness.
Have you ever considered riding her bitless, just to see? I only ask because when I pause your videos, I see a lot of gaping with her mouth, and some of her freshness seems to be rebellion against...something. I'm sorry, I'm not a crazy anti-bit person, I swear to god:) I'm just a lot more sensitive to what "I" see as either pain/discomfort/something "wrong" with a horse's mouth than I used to be, since I dealt with it in my own OTTB.
Anyway, again, I think you are doing a great job with a very challenging girl. I wish you two all the best...you are a lovely pair.
Hi Sarah, thanks for your comment. Yes we have tried a bitless bridle on her and she hated it. She has popped a few small rears in the time I've had her but with the bitless bridle she stood straight up in the air on her hind legs like a scene right out of Black Beauty. She dumped her rider (who was my leaser) and ran back to the barn. She did not like the pressure of the straps under her chin/jaw and I noticed that the pressure did not release immediately if at all when the rider gave with her hands.
ReplyDeleteAh, well, I should have figured. No magic fixes, right? :) I'm glad you blog about the good and the bad-that's real life, and the only way you learn and help other people learn. FWIW, hope your tailbone is feeling better-I landed on mine on concrete and it took FOREVER to feel better. Never really affected me in the saddle though, thank goodness.
ReplyDelete