Big milestone in my riding confidence

[Treblesallround]

I went out for a hack on my own yesterday evening. Just half an hour up the lane and back but it was a huge milestone for me because I've been having attacks of the gremlins recently and basically bum following behind another horse. I even trotted!

Doesn't sound like much of an achievment but it was a huge thing for me and I'm still feeling really chuffed. I think the runners who went past while I was singing bananas in pyjamas were a bit puzzled though. Still, if I'm singing I'm breathing

[CMOTDibbler]

Well done - I witter when I'm riding and nervous for the same reason. DS sings to his pony and makes up the cutest songs.

[pmgkt]

Well done. Sounds a simple thing but sometimes others don't appreciate that going by yourself is a big step. Maybe learn some new songs though

[Mirage]

Hurrah and well done.I know exactly how you feel.I took dpony out a few weeks ago and it was my first hack on the road since 1978.

DD1 is away next week and I will have to exercise dpony as she is looking a bit chubby,so you won't be the only middle aged lady singing as she rides!

[Ravilious]

Can I join? I have been exercising dds pony for the last couple of weeks and although he is a stubborn sod bit resistant sometimes it has been so lovely

[horseylady]

Well done!! Hacking on my own is something I have to make myself do too!! I did today and it was without many incidents!!

[Mirage]

Welcome Ravilious [I like your nickname,is it from the photographer?] How big is your dd's pony? I bet you don't look half as odd as me,5ft 8 on a 13hh pony.

[Ravilious]

Well, I am the same height as you but he IS - erm - 13.1hh

[SaggyISTheNewMrsDeppSoThere]

Well done! It's been years since I hacked out! The roads round our way are horrible! I'm just a coward dd13 rides my old pony, also 13hh, and hacks her out with her friend. funnily enough, I'm not overly bothered by that! [comfused]

[Notinmylife]

Well done, you are braver than me! I was going to take my new boy out on his own for the first time yesterday but I chickened out

[Alameda]

well done :) hope you get a taste for it, used to love solo hacks but these days prefer someone to race chat to - except on the pony, feel braver on my own then because he mucks about in groups and spends more energy going up and down on the spot than moving forward

[Treblesallround]

Thanks all, dealt with another of my gremlins last night and cantered in the indoor school. I now have no idea why I thought it was such an issue, it was fine! I have been such a wuss, isn't it weird how we let an issue develop in our heads and then decide we can't do something (or maybe that's just me)

I'm going to learn a dressage test for entertainment during spells of bad weather. You never know, me and hairy little mare might even go to a competion one day (and get soundly beaten by the 5 year olds)