Can we have an adult re-rider support group?

[pony4me]

Wow, PH, what an opportunity! I hope it’s a huge success for both of you, and that she gets the highest grade in the class for her project. Please keep us posted on your progress!

The kids at my barn are great. Over the years, I’ve seen many grow up and now we have veterinarians, lawyers, nurses, med students, and successful businesspeople. One kid has started doing college visits, and says she just now starting to realize how different her life will be next year when she goes off to college. I almost told her that I’d be more than glad to babysit her to-die-for junior hunter, but I think her mom wants him. Darn!

Day 45 of stall rest, so we are at the halfway point (for stall rest only) today. Yesterday was good. Great lesson on my favorite schoolie. Talked for a while with a very successful rider who has an awesome horse. They are doing the derbies, and the 2nd year greens, and the high performance hunters, and whatever else they can try. She commented that I ride better than I think I do, but we finally realized that what I am capable of riding, and what I want to ride are two different things. When you get older, just because you can ride it, doesn’t mean you should. This info will come in handy if I have to start horse shopping in the coming months. Current plans are to lease a good sale horse for an occasional show, just to get my show fix. Vet bills keep coming for Mr. Stall Rest who is now getting shockwave treatments at $300 each. He’s had the first one, and two more are scheduled over the next six weeks. Then we can start limited turnout and very, very slow return to work. His injury is not something that can be seen with an ultrasound, and MRI is the only way to see how it’s healing. Since MRI’s are about $3000 each, I am trying to avoid doing another one.

Have a great day, everyone!

[HazelG]

Dewey, how did your daughter take the news? I hope she will be okay, its so hard to watch your kids dealing with a loss. We try so hard to protect them and shield them from pain. My daughter had a terrible lesson today which ended with her in tears and another kid schooling her pony around a course of jumps while she sobbed into my side.

PH dont worry too much about one bad ride try to focus on the positive, sounds like your “project” will be a fantastic experience.

Well today was the day we said we were going to post our fitness goals for the week. Well I’m sad to say i managed to put my back out again so really my goal for this week is to be able to stand upright without mega-doses of painkillers :(. I am going to try to get in to see the chiropractor tomorrow (he’s actually the same one that works on my horses!). If he can work his usual magic then I am aiming for 3 pilates or yoga sessions and 2 cardio of 10 minutes each this week I think if I start with small goals at the beginning I have a better chance of doing them and not feeling like a loser. Of course this is all dependant on whether or not I can stand up or walk!!! Looking forward to hearing everyone else’s plans…

[jaslyn1701]

I beg your forgiveness in advance as I indulge in a small rant.

I did not get to ride yesterday because I am an idiot. While I remembered to take my boots to the barn, I forgot my breeches.

So, I rode today for the first time in a week with 4 other people. As usual, I was the last one to the ring - no big deal - Finn stands like a stone for mounting and then he is happy to work. We walk, we trot both ways - all is good.

But, let one horse stop in the middle of the ring, or, heaven forbid under the tree - and my nice willing horse turns into an idiot. All he can think about is the damned tree and who is under it and why isn’t he.

He pulls - he gets pissed when I dare to ride on the very first braid on my reins. He trots really really fast hoping I will make him stop - I don’t - I just get in two point and make him keep on trucking. But, as we approach the tree, he comes back to a normal trot - anticipation is everything (are we stopping here?? Are we? Are we?). No - well take this - and we are a pacer again.

He does not do this when we are alone or when everyone else is moving around.

Needless to say, we did not have a good time today - but, I really think I had a slightly better time than he did!

Rant over!

[PaintedHunter]

Well, our ride today was still pretty bad. More ear pinning at first, and gumbyness, but we worked through it. Then we tried to canter and the bucking started. One buck, he got serious air, and I was actually kind of proud I stayed put. I don’t think he had any pain issues. He was just bing a jackhole. Two other riders got on him to try to school him too, so I knowit wasn’t just me doing something to anger him. One time, he was doing his own tempi for half a length of the ring- lol. I don’t know what he was doing, or why he thcought that would get him out of cantering. He had never even been taught that in his former dressage life- he didn’t even have his lead changes when I bought him!!

Anyway, I’m mad at him, and mad at myself for not being aggressive enough. I needto grow a bigger pair and freaking get over it.

[Dewey]

[QUOTE=HazelG;6108475]
Dewey, how did your daughter take the news? I hope she will be okay, its so hard to watch your kids dealing with a loss. We try so hard to protect them and shield them from pain. My daughter had a terrible lesson today which ended with her in tears and another kid schooling her pony around a course of jumps while she sobbed into my side.

I emailed her but got no response. We tried texting and calling and got no response. I think she doesn’t want to deal with it, and is not ready to talk yet. I went to the barn myself yesterday.After my own ride, I gave Jack a good grooming and cried over him. I clipped a lock of his tail.
I am sorry to hear about your daughter’s bad lesson.

Well today was the day we said we were going to post our fitness goals for the week. Well I’m sad to say i managed to put my back out again so really my goal for this week is to be able to stand upright without mega-doses of painkillers :(. I am going to try to get in to see the chiropractor tomorrow (he’s actually the same one that works on my horses!). If he can work his usual magic then I am aiming for 3 pilates or yoga sessions and 2 cardio of 10 minutes each this week I think if I start with small goals at the beginning I have a better chance of doing them and not feeling like a loser. Of course this is all dependant on whether or not I can stand up or walk!!! Looking forward to hearing everyone else’s plans…[/QUOTE]

I am so sorry to hear about your back, Hazel! Ouch!! I agree that small goals are best at first. Hope you heal fast! I did post mine last night, but I don’t see them here. Either they didn’t go through, or they went in the wrong thread, and people are thinking that I am a nut! :winkgrin: Anyway, my own goals for the week are to do three low-impact aerobic workouts of 30 minutes and three short (10-minute?) sessions to build strength. I think T-Th-Sat are going to be my exercise days this semester.

[rubygirl1968]

Dewey, I’m so sorry about Jack! He has a beautiful face and such kind eyes.

Sounds like everyone got in some good riding time, except for the tree lover Jaslyn has or PH’s bronco

I got some bad news Saturday - Misty’s owner is moving her to her sisters farm so no more Misty for me. I’m going to miss her so much, but hopefully she will get more attention there. I’ve got to take my camera out today and get a picture of her.

I rode yesterday and she was a trooper - no bucking until I asked for the canter, which would’ve been my first, but my instructor asked me to get off and she cantered her on the lunge line. I think I’ll just work her a little in the round pen this afternoon and get her used to going into the canter - she hasn’t been ridden regularly in years so this is all very new to her.

Then again, she’s going to be moved soon and I may just groom her and love on her.

[TarheelJD]

It was a gorgeous weekend in Atlanta, and I got in two lessons on my trainer’s school master. The good news is that I made a lot of progress on my sitting trot, and even did a little no stirrup work at the trot, which usually really freaks me out!

As for fitness goals, I started doing weight watchers online with 2 friends this weekend, so I can be more aware of what I am eating. I have a book called The Rider’s Fitness Program which lays out a 6 week sequence of routines specifically designed for riders. You do 3 routines a week. So, my goal is to do the 3 routines for week one (with some cardio before each routine) and go to one yoga class.

Hope everyone has a good week - I think it’s only 6 weeks until the time change and longer days!

[rubygirl1968]

Tarheel, I’ll bet you guys were sweating down in Atlanta! It was 60 Saturday and in the high 50’s yesterday - heaven… This is my kind of winter.

Once I started posting, my ability to sit a trot has disappeared. I could sit it just fine until then.

Oh yeah, the fitness goals - I cut out all sugar and bread from my diet. I believe Saturday I was actually having withdrawals because I felt terrible - light headed, weak and just awful. Today is much better thankfully.

I think I’m going to walk/jog around the neighborhood. I was going to start working out with weights but I’m going to have to go to the dr. before I do that, at least upper body wise. I’m pretty sure I have tendonitis in my left elbow (can’t grip anything, have to wear one of those wraps on it) and this morning I couldn’t lift my right arm up so it’s flaring up again from over-compensating on my right side.

Hit 40 and it all falls apart! :lol:

[spacytracy]

Hi all, sorry, haven’t been keeping up as much as I’d like.

I should have ridden this weekend but as usual, life kind of got in the way. I did ride on Friday and Lucky was a saint, especially considering it sounded like a freight train, it was so windy!!!

My fitness goals for the week are:

• Get to the gym at least 3 times this week
• Eat a healthy lunch every day and lay off the office junk
• Plan meals at night so I don’t resort to quickie junk
• Ride Sat/Sun (although, I work til like midnight Fri night so I don’t know how feasible that will be)

I saw a fitness log in Target the other day and thought it was a really good idea. I’d like a fitness tracker app, but all the ones I’ve seen are too “regimented” for me.

I might see if I can dig through my office and find a spiral bound notebook and just make one myself.

[PaintedHunter]

[QUOTE=jaslyn1701;6108657]
But, let one horse stop in the middle of the ring, or, heaven forbid under the tree - and my nice willing horse turns into an idiot. All he can think about is the damned tree and who is under it and why isn’t he.

![/QUOTE]

Oh man- JJ is exactlylike this as well! He will get so mad about it that he will do the jumps he’s asked to, but directly afterwards he will try to cut the sharpest corner he can and pull me back into the group in the middle, even if it is comprised fully of horses he doesn’t like.

[Dewey]

rubygirl, I’m sorry Misty is leaving. (My first pony’s name was “Misty.” ). I know how you feel. Groom her and give her treats, and don’t be ashamed to cry. Jack is leaving this week, and every time I go to the barn, I brace myself to hear that the mare I’ve been riding has been sold as well. It’s going to happen.

I don’t know if I could give up all sugar and bread. Personally, I avoid eating this stuff during the week, but on the weekends, I let myself have some.

[PaintedHunter]

Virtual hugs to all of you who are losing the company of horses you love! It’s so hard to go through that, even when you know it’s coming.

[Dewey]

Thanks, PH.

[Dewey]

Just heard from DD–she is a mess as you might expect.

[TarheelJD]

[QUOTE=Dewey;6109966]
Just heard from DD–she is a mess as you might expect. [/QUOTE]

UGH - I am so sorry for your daughter. And you and rubygirl too. It’s one of the hardest things ever to go through (although I guess non-horse people wouldn’t really understand that). I wish there was something that would make you all feel better.

[PaintedHunter]

Switching gears for a second- how do you ladies psyche yourself up to move past your fears? I am so not confident anymore, and I find myself having to push myself with my greenie and his bucking and irregularity. I find myself holding back and not being as firm with him as I need to be, and he totally sees that and takes advantage.

I need to MAKE myself get over it. Any calming or mental exercise for our own rider minds you’d suggest? I keep trying to repeat to myself, “OK. he’s only gotten you unseated and off a few times in over a year. You stick his bucks and swerves. he is not really going to hurt me.” It only helps a little. Any suggestions? I know we can be a fabulous pair if I we can just get it together, and I know it has to start with me.

[iechris]

Glad to hear people had some good rides this weekend. Dewey- sorry to hear about Jack, but good he is going to a good home.

I had a good lesson on Wednesday and have been trying to put into practice what we discussed. Weather was great so I rode both days, Saturday was a really good ride. Warmed up a little bit without stirrups thought I was going to fall off at the trot at first but then found my rythum. Did some work over poles and then put together three lines of trot/canter including two cross-rails. Finished off with some canter laps. Got back to the barn exhausted!

Sunday I rode out on the trails and down in the jump field with a friend. Horsie had no go until we started cantering in line in the field, then I got tipped forward, he got faster and I got to hauling on the reins. Such a good boy I’m sure he thought I was an idiot. Brief stop in the arena to do our jump of the day, trotting over a crossrail twice and quite poorly, but we did it.

Found out our trainer is encouraging us to ride under the lights at night due to scheduling issues for some of us, so hopefully will be adding a ride on Thursday night. Met one of the college students who has just started part-leasing another school horse and instructed her in the fine art of washing legs and tail.

Missed posting last night. Fitness goal for this week will be trying to do squats at home and trying to ride at least 3 days this week.

[PaintedHunter]

[QUOTE=Dewey;6109966]
Just heard from DD–she is a mess as you might expect. [/QUOTE]

Oh gosh, I’m so sorry. I know that’s got to be heart-breaking for her.

[Dewey]

[QUOTE=TarheelJD;6110027]
UGH - I am so sorry for your daughter. And you and rubygirl too. It’s one of the hardest things ever to go through (although I guess non-horse people wouldn’t really understand that). I wish there was something that would make you all feel better. [/QUOTE]

Time will help. At least the horses concerned are alive and well! It’s good that I have people here who understand. I do appreciate that. When you make a decision to ride horses that you do not own, you give up control. I understand that, and DD does, too. When she first started riding, I made it clear to her that we were not going to buy, and she understood that. Now we pay the price, but eventually, she will gain the perspective to appreciate the wonderful years she had with Jack and to understand that sending him away was a business decision for her trainer–an ethical decision, but one primarily based on finances. Jack was just not that useful to her anymore, especially when we stopped leasing him.

I am reminded of a quotation from one of my favorite books, Horse Heaven by Jane Smiley. The participants in the dialog are an experienced horse trainer and a young girl looking for a horse to buy:

“Well, I hate to lay this curse upon you, Audrey, but you are a natural horsewoman, who can read the Form, place a bet, pull a shoe, and jump a triple combination. If that is your fate, then you’re bound to be broke unless you can buy them cheap and sell them dear.”
“I don’t want to sell him. I want to buy him.”
“Your horse is not your boyfriend, Audrey. If you want to learn what they have to teach you, then you must let them come and go, and always make a profit out of the back end.”

Horses aren’t pets, but they aren’t livestock, either. I realize everyone here understands all this, I’m just trying to sort it out, and talking helps.

[rubygirl1968]

Thank you all - it is hard to lose them, even in the best sense. I know she’s not mine and her owner has every right to move her, but you get so attached to them! Dewey, I’m very sorry for your daughter. And you.

PH - Sometimes I feel like the biggest chicken in the world because I do get nervous and tend to think that the worst will happen. Luckily for me, it is mostly when I think about it. Once I’m on, I’m okay. I concentrate on getting a nice forward walk or trot and letting her stretch her neck, or just trying really hard to keep my body loose and feeling her motion.

I’ve always had a problem with a lack of confidence and even more so with the weight gain. I try very hard to have a light seat and to work on my aids so that I get the results I want with a minimum of effort, so all that concentrating helps not to think what could be.

When I do get nervous, I go back to the place I was comfortable, ride that for a few minutes and let both of us catch our breath and then try again. Deep breathing also helps!

You’re not alone, trust me! A friend of mine wanted me to go with them on a hunter pace in two weeks, but I chickened out. I just don’t feel confident enough to do that on a horse that I’ve never ridden before and in unfamiliar territory to boot.