I sat on my pony all by myself!

[alice.x]

This might not seem like much of a woot but it's huge for me.

 

A little backstory:

About 2 months ago, I rode my newly-backed pony for the first time. He'd been sat on a couple of times by my friend, and I'd done all the groundwork with him, so I was really excited. He was (and still is) quite head shy, because he had some sort of infection in his ears, so trying to get near them was a nightmare (he's getting much better now!). But he was super about being ridden so on I got and off we went. Everything was going brilliantly until I went to get off him. I must have leant forwards a little too much, and he must have brought his head up towards me, and he panicked and took off across the field, doing his best rodeo impression (broncing like a maniac, basically). I came off, broke my nose, cut up my arm, and knocked my confidence.

 

Until now:

I've been riding him a lot, and the first few times I dismounted after that incident, I was pretty nervous. But he was super every time, so I've been feeling much better about it. But I always had my friend there to hold the stirrup and tell me I was being stupid and that I had to get off because I couldn't just ride him forever. 

 

Today:

I went up, by myself, and thought 'why not just do it?'. So I did. I tacked him up, took him in the school, and mounted and dismounted him. I was really nervous, it took me a couple of attempts to actually swing my leg over to get on, because I knew I'd have to get off again, but he was brilliant. I had a small emotional breakdown because I was so relieved that I was still alive, so I didn't get back on and ride him, but I'm so happy. He didn't even blink, he was just confused that a sobbing human was hugging him so much, I think! 

 

No excuses now, time to really get to work!!

 

 

Have a large and rather blurry picture of us riding in the bluebells a couple of weeks ago!

 

[Hyperion]

Nice! Hats off to you! I don't trust horses. My ex had a horse and we did get along only when i had carrots. :-D

[Evicious]

Congratulations, and great job getting back up there! I grew up riding and have been tossed/scraped/hurled off many horses: it can be incredibly difficult to mount back up after. It takes real courage to ride again when your confidence has been shaken. Way to go, you!

[bradley_a]

You have such a sweet pony... and you have courage! Good luck to you both! You look like really good friends together.

 

How is your nose, by the way? This is the most worrysome part of the story.

[alice.x]

Thanks everyone! Now the hard work begins!!