tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27874443.post1413935183876469969..comments2024-01-27T18:00:54.268+00:00Comments on This Is My Blog: Second lessonMaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11639094548415759560noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27874443.post-7827718925265518692012-01-26T16:06:42.656+00:002012-01-26T16:06:42.656+00:00Hi,
We look after the PR for Let Nature Feed You...Hi,<br /> <br />We look after the PR for Let Nature Feed Your Senses, a new initiative which offers free and accessible farm visits for people with disabilities, those aged 65 and over and people from areas of social deprivation. <br /> <br />The scheme aims to enable everyone to enjoy the benefits of getting out into the countryside and to make spaces accessible to groups that wouldn’t otherwise have the opportunity to easily access them. Our farm visits are also wheel chair accessible.<br /> <br />I wondered if you might be interested in some more information for your blog and if you might like to attend a farm visit so you can experience it for yourself? We have farms all around the country hosting visits so should be able to arrange one relatively local to you quite easily. <br /> <br />If you need any more information or images please get in touch on megan.darcy@ceres-pr.co.uk.<br /> <br />Kind regards,<br /> <br />MeganMegan D'Arcynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27874443.post-80574635922491562962011-12-20T00:23:22.586+00:002011-12-20T00:23:22.586+00:00Hi Bats,
Just a few things that you can do OFF the...Hi Bats,<br />Just a few things that you can do OFF the horse to help...<br />You can stretch your calf muscles by doing rises on the bottom stair.<br />You can locate your seat bones by sitting on a firm upright chair and placing your hands under your bum - you should feel two pin bones. These are what you should be balanced on when riding.<br />Tilting your pelvis backwards and forwards by just a few millimetres and you feel yourself come off your seat bones.<br />Having located your seat bones you can then improve your core stability by using a big physio ball. A cheap one suffices!<br />The same ball can be used to help stretch the muscles in your thigh, both front and inner thigh, and you can even practise a pretence at rising trot, trying to keep your feet flat on the floor.<br />You can then add trying with your arms in different positions - folded in front, behind your back, on your head, out to the sides, and up in the air.<br />All these home exercises can help to train your muscles to make riding more effective, and the more effective you feel the more confident you will be, and then the pleasure increases.<br />The exercises will also help to "untrain" your muscles from previous life experiences, which is one of the biggest barriers for adults learning to ride - I still send my dressage riders away with these exercises, and still do them myself.<br />Be kind to yourself - it will happen! <br />Its pretty bad form for others to comment - ignore them. The only feedback that you need is from your instructor, not bystanders, so ask questions, and always explain when you are needing a break - a good instructor will allow you to do some exercises on the horses back to relieve the aches, such as ankle rotations and bringing your knees up.<br />Finally try and find an instructor who is fun, knowledgable and empathetic, which is like finding a unicorn !<br />http://www.robinsonsequestrian.com/gifts-home/books/guides/better-riding-through-exercise-picture-guide-no-42-42668.html<br />might help.<br />The rest of the site may give you an idea of just how much money this lovely, healthy hobby can cost !Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27874443.post-30119845590846466862011-11-01T14:27:04.019+00:002011-11-01T14:27:04.019+00:00Little Miss Adventure really nails it. The instruc...Little Miss Adventure really nails it. The instructor must be educated in the needs of the novice rider who has ME. Riding instructors, even those who work with the generally excellent RDA, often are just that - instructors, they aren't teachers in the true sense of the word and relating to, accurately observing and picking up on how their learner is coping phsyically and mentally, during the lesson is something they often struggle with.<br /><br />I'd try and have a word with your instructor and spell out your needs regarding short bursts of learning followed by a few minutes of rest, then some practice. A good instructor will take this on board and accomodate you. A good instructor will also listen if you own up to being a bit stubborn and not allow you to push yourself into a zone where you are exhausted, hurting or fearful. No lesson should ever end with you feeling any of those things. Always end on a good note.<br /><br />Right now, it's all strange being up on the horse, give it a few more lessons and it will seem less strange. I guarantee it!<br /><br />One activity that may increase your confidence around and on horses is to get involved in a little horse management. It's surprising just how much a little bit of gentle horse grooming can help a person feel less awkward around/on equines. Horses are emotional beings, they enjoy being groomed by someone who is gentle and sensitive. It can be a real treat for them. If you get to do some of this, just stick to a bit of brushing with a body brush and maybe some tail and mane grooming. Picking up hooves to pick out can be awkward and hard work. <br /><br />Anything you can do to increase your physical confidence around horses will help you in learning to ride them. <br /><br />Wishing you all the best and lots of horse related fun!Janenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27874443.post-81871152910202088882011-10-03T14:20:40.056+01:002011-10-03T14:20:40.056+01:00Are you learning at a facility where they are expe...Are you learning at a facility where they are experienced with ME? I'd spell it out to the instructor that you can only learn new stuff for so long, and want the rest of the session to just be practicing and exercising. If you're having a 30 min lesson, maybe 10 mins of learning new stuff and 20 mins of practicing.<br /><br />I agree with others who've said give it about 10 lessons before stopping. Can you have the same instructor each week? It would probably help to build up a rapport and an understanding of your capabilities, rather than starting afresh each time.<br /><br />I hope it works out for you. I rode a lot as a child. It wasn't just the riding I liked, horses are lovely animals to be around.Little Miss Adventurehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09227546834272110973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27874443.post-36108077077116096522011-09-17T21:55:13.012+01:002011-09-17T21:55:13.012+01:00Reading your blog and wondered if you would like t...Reading your blog and wondered if you would like to join our brand new social network & social movement site for people affected by medical adversity/disability. We are growing with passionate people. We are currently looking for members to write an article, be featured bloggers, participate in discussions, video talks and give us feedback. Hope you'll join us at www.enerfly.org and if you are interested please e-mail enerfly@live.comenerflyhttp://enerfly.org/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27874443.post-91302522051477250552011-09-08T21:11:07.634+01:002011-09-08T21:11:07.634+01:00I couldnt agree more with Maggie. I suffer with so...I couldnt agree more with Maggie. I suffer with social anxiety and have been learning to play tennis. I was pretty awful to start with but I realised it was made worse by my fear of "getting it wrong" in front of people. So my (very patient) DH made sure we took it easy and stopped before I got to mentally tired and started making easy mistakes as this would lead to frustration and my inner critic getting very loud. You have to be more honest with yourself and stop when you need to or it will take a long time to get easier as you're overdoing it.<br /><br />I would say give it about 8-10 sessions as you will be familiar with the terms/what's expected and have given your body a chance to get used to the new challange. I have riding experience and my DH has CFS.Rjnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27874443.post-60076435775948575002011-09-08T11:37:05.507+01:002011-09-08T11:37:05.507+01:00Most new things require the inner critic to go out...Most new things require the inner critic to go out for coffee and leave the rest of you to rest comfortably in 'beginner's mind'.<br /><br />The best advice I've received for learning a new skill -- physical, mental, or combined -- is to always stop the session at a 'success'. For example, when you or your instructor notices that you're tiring, take a step back to something you can confidently do successfully; do that, feel the win, and then end the session. That way basic self can remember the session as 'success' and look forward to the next session with joy.Maggienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27874443.post-56346094362953960582011-09-08T11:29:57.535+01:002011-09-08T11:29:57.535+01:00The stubborn bit might be part of it, actually. Wh...The stubborn bit might be part of it, actually. When I had my dizzy spell they asked if I wanted to stop and I was all "no, I'll be fine in a moment."<br /><br />It's difficult because if I wasn't a <i>bit</i> stubborn and inclined to push myself I'd never get out of bed in the morning... I suppose it's just a case of learning for this new activity where the line is between on the one hand, not giving in just because it gets difficult, and on the other hand, not pushing myself too hard or for too long.Maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11639094548415759560noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27874443.post-26525055712116206222011-09-07T20:53:48.255+01:002011-09-07T20:53:48.255+01:00Um, I don't usually GIVE advise, unless asked ...Um, I don't usually GIVE advise, unless asked - and you did ask! I'd suggest between 6-10 sessions - but only IF you set up a system with your instructors that allows either one of you to notice when you start to get worse and close the session off. Otherwise, unless you are particularly stubborn, it's going to feel grim for a lot longer.<br />Oh, and I have experience of horse riding myself, no personal disability, but my daughter had a physical disability and rode also, for several years.<br />Hope you stick at it, as it sounds like you will enjoy it once over the 'beginner's hump'.<br />RachaelAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27874443.post-30942301257735069092011-09-07T19:00:34.799+01:002011-09-07T19:00:34.799+01:00It's mostly for the exercise, and partly for a...It's mostly for the exercise, and partly for alleviating what's on my care plan as "social isolation" (which makes my hiding in the car park even more ridiculous).<br /><br />I know that going out on hacks is in the WAY distant future, and I have never had any illusions about galloping o'er the moorland with my hair streaming in the breeze. But I'd quite like to get to a stage where I can get off the horse thinking "that was a good workout" rather than my inner chorus chanting "you're sh!t, and you know you are..."Maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11639094548415759560noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27874443.post-86301691435330695992011-09-07T17:19:42.540+01:002011-09-07T17:19:42.540+01:00When I was learning to ride (at school) we weren&#...When I was learning to ride (at school) we weren't led round at all, but we were only in a school (i.e. indoors) - we weren't allowed out on hacks til we could at least trot.<br /><br />It was difficult and confusing but fun too; there ought to be some level of either excitement or enjoyment I think. If it's a chore then, well, it's an expensive chore! <br /><br />Is it something your doc or physio recommended, or just for fun?<br /><br />Hope it gets easier sooner!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com