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

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.

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

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!

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

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

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.

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

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]

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

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

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)