Hello - I am living the dream - temporarily !

[gordyslovesheep]

I was pony mad from the first time I saw a donkey on the beach aged 2 - I loved them. Living in a small terrace in Liverpool with a lone parents mum we had a cat in hells chance of ever owning a pony! I used to ride the wall ...or the bin!

Then my godmother moved to Yorkshire - so endless holidays that involved befriending horsey girls and petting their ponies then eventually ridding and helping at the stables - but I never did get to be Caroline Bradley

anyway I have 3 girls - the eldest aged 9 and 8 and both have been riding since aged 4 - (I did start again but had a bad fall and lost my bottle a lot)

This summer the stables have had a loan a pony summer - and they have got a lovely little cob between them for 5 weeks - yes guess who is down there as much as possible grooming him, fussing him and feeding him polos - I love having kids

who knows maybe I will gain enough courage to ride again

so - nice to be here - if only for 4 more weeks

[Alameda]

aw, can't you continue something through term time with him or is there just no time to make it worthwhile?

volunteering on the yard sounds good, it's not just fun it's therapeutic too I think?

[gordyslovesheep]

tomorrow is the last day of the loan - we spent time with him today and stupid me got a bit - erm .... emotional

I am thinking about volunteering on the yard next year when DD3 starts school full time (or sooner if I get made redundant this year) as a way of MY having some pony fun - never mind the kids

[gordyslovesheep]

oh do not tempt me !

Holiday is 29th Sept I am silly excited!

[Alameda]

how exciting - when is holiday? I agree with trebles

[Treblesallround]

Way to go gordy! Get yourself a nice little cob that can live out and go barefoot, you'll spend just as much on stuff at the riding school!

[gordyslovesheep]

well our last 2 weeks are approaching and we have all loved every moment - I adore him - I spent yesterday cuddling him and grooming him and chatting to him

my confidence has grown so much around the ponies that I have begun to help out on the yard - only turning out and feeding but it's been ace. Also the girls riding solo has meant I have had to supervise them and be calm and knowledgeable (pmsl)

we took part in a show - girls both came 5th in their class (out of 6 - bless them) and got special mentions in the fancy dress

anyway up shot is I have booked the 3 of us a 2 day riding holiday at they yard wich is full on schooling and trecking from 9-5 both days - I am so excited and hope to god my nerve holds!

[booboo247]

Just being around the ponies will help your nerves I'm sure. And if they've got bombproof little ones you can be led on all the better....you are just going along with your children right ;)

As others have said, crisis of confidence can happen to anyone. Happened to me, I just had to take it at my own pace. Now I have a horse of my own (had to wait until I was 30 to be able to say that!) and its just great, but even now if I feel a bit wobbly on the nerves, I'll take it as slow as I like to feel happy again.

No pressure, enjoy your summer of ponies and pop on a super safe pony for a little walk around when you feel the urge (even if you have to put your best brave face on)

[gordyslovesheep]

I've put some pics on my profile - he's quiet a pretty pony but I think he would cope fine with my fat bum! I may sneak a quick go

[Alameda]

It's not pathetic, lots of people have had similar crises of confidence on or around horses. For several months I couldn't go in the field alone or very easily, if I detected or imagined movement out of the corner of my eye I would freeze or cry or both . It will get easier!

Cobs usually have lots of bone don't they, how diddy is he? I think you should have a quick sit on him next time you are there!

[gordyslovesheep]

I may be able to ride him - he is diddy but I am 5ft 1"

I have tried 3 times to ride again - last time I did a mini trek with the girls - I had to be led and I cried - pathetic I know - I will keep trying

Sadly owning a pony isn't something we can afford but DD1 will be old enough to volunteer on the yard next year so I think she will definitely be taking up residence!

[Treblesallround]

I was a nervous wreck when I started riding again. It was only hours in the saddle, first on a kindly riding school 13.2 Highland Pony, and then on my own Fell/cob mare (14hh) that sorted me out and I dtill get the gremlins if I don't ride for a while. I'm 5'10 but wide ponies take your leg up and you don't feel too far from the ground.
Have a plod around while you've got the chance. Are your dds going to nag now until you give in and get them ponies? Bet you take up residence here!

[Mirage2012Olympics]

Yes,you must have a ride.I rode dpony after not having ridden for 34 years and it all came back to me.I didn't care if I looked a bit odd,I am 5ft 8 and the pony is only 13hh.

[Alameda]

Oh you must ride, the courage won't return until you do. Just take it slowly? A little at a time. Could you ride the cob? He is lucky to be getting such a fuss made of him this summer!

I miss my horses badly and have only been away a few days, found some within about a 30 minute walk and I fantasise about the smell of them. Horse sweat is my favourite smell I think!