Riding is 99% mental

Super straight mover! rocking the bareback

I always strive to be honest on this blog. Obviously sometimes I don't do this, but maybe one day my story can help someone else. You guys all know that riding is mostly a mental game. That the rider with the best timing but no confidence while be surpassed by a bold rider, because horses are supremely sensitive to their riders emotion.



I have been struggling recently with the mental side of my riding. A lot. And it's not limited to my riding but it's a misery that pervades all of my life. It's mostly that riding is where it is most noticeable because thats what I used to take the most pleasure in. Somewhere along the line I lost my vibrancy, my self-esteem, and my motivation. It's something of a struggle and it's a little humiliating to say all this because I love to put a brave face on things and to be ok. I never rode at Masterton A+P show. I went to the grounds, I watched and I waited because they had changed the schedule. I walked the course and went back to my truck and had a meltdown. And then I went home without ever getting on my horse. And I never went in the next day, instead I went for a ride with Kim in the hills which seemed the more enjoyable option. I have an appointment to see someone about this, because I can't continue on this path.



I have Foxton next week and I'm starting small, back to the 1m to try and regain this confidence. So I can just get going again. If I don't ride at Foxton, I might as well turn the horses out, but I'm not prepared to give up on my dream of going to HOY just yet. Connie seems sound and sturdy. Mystery swelling is gone and I found some bruising on her sole which could explain the lameness? It's been so wet this summer, her feet are still pretty soft. Her saddle is also in getting repadded because it's been twisting on her back. I think it got crooked from me riding crooked as talked about earlier. So I'm cruising around bareback which she is really good about, she is very forgiving of my almost falls. My bareback balance used to be amazing when I was a kid, but obviously you lose it pretty fast. Amazing workout for the legs.

She actually moves differently bareback. I know her saddle isn't an ideal fit, but I have saved some money so that if I get her to HOY I can get her a saddle thats fitted to her. At 7 she isn't going to change as much so it's worth making the investment. She is built much like a barrel and she really needs a custom fit. I'm keen to see how this will change how she goes if at all. I try do the best I can for my girlies.