(Cibolo, considering the trail ahead)
I found my camera after clearing out the trailer and the few photos I took in Conception.
The feeling before the ride seems so distant to me now.
Here's Rudy, ready to ride.
My self portrait.
There were incredible children on the ride.
Riding beautiful horses with style and control.
I mean LOOK at this kid! He's got CHAPS for goodness sake. He looks like he's been riding longer than he's been walking.
We waited on the side of the road for a long time.
And things sort of went down hill from there.
There are other leftovers. Yesterday my ground work session with Cibolo was a mixed bag. I had a feeling I was getting just what looked like compliance. The weather had turned and the horses had been stalled all day because of rain and mud, so they were a little wired. There was no connection there, and it was mostly just about discipline. Reinforcing the no grazing, better leading, standing still, all that.
I took Cibolo out on the trail today, just the one around the barn. He did a mini version of the Conception trail ride for just a second. I had the crop with me and I gave him a little swat, then rode him around the driveway for 10 minutes until he got his head back together, worked on the easy stuff.
Stephanie joined me after a few and saddled up Lily. We rode around for about 30 minutes, Cibolo had a few hesitations. Nothing major, just one point where he didn't want to go forward and I had to force the issue.
At the end of it, it all felt like one big chore.
I wonder if it will get fun again.
3 comments:
It will get fun again. Right now it feels like a chore because you aren't feeling it.
I remember every time I got back on Fritzy after my fall, I dreaded it. But of course I didn't have a say in the matter, my trainer was giving me lessons. I felt better riding Fritzy with my trainer around, but found myself not riding her when she wasn't, because it was a chore, especially a mental chore. Did I really want to get back on her, alone, with the thoughts of her trying to dump me again? Every time I rode her, I became so mentally drained. The few times I did ride her alone, any spook or change in her body position caused me to tense up, which of course causes her to tense up. I can now control the tensing up, but my mind still goes back to the accident. If only I could get rid of that memory. It has slowly faded away, and it is now not a chore to work with Fritzy. I actually quite enjoy working with her. Since I have had this summer off, we have gotten to know each other a lot better. But I still haven't gone on that trail ride on her yet this year! That was a goal of mine.
Give it time. It will probably take a lot of time. I have faith that it will come together, and you two will be riding many happy trails in the future!
Just do something, anything, with him every day you can - it won't feel good or right at first but you'll get there, I believe. I felt just the way you do after Dawn kicked me in June - it took a while for our mutual trust to start to be rebuilt. I'm right there with you in spirit!
It's truly like a relationship, isn't it. I'm in the same place right now, so I'm not much help.
Currently, the relationship with my horse seems rather one-sided. All she seems to want is food....NOW. She's rather bossy, crabby, and independant. She rarely even lets me stroke her face, unless she knows I'm going to rub her eyes (she likes that). And after she gets her daily carrots or apples, she turns her butt to me and expects me to scratch it. When I'm done, she walks away.
What a User. bah!
If I at least had a gave me horse hugs, nuzzled me, and seemed to want me around (for more than just food and treats) then this not-riding time in my life would be a little more bearable.
I bounce back and forth every day whether I should sell her, or not. I'm truly at at road block, not sure where to go from here.
All we can do is give it more time, and wait for answers.
Sorry, I'm no help at all. :P
~Lisa
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