Often with Cavi, I feel that we move one step forward and two steps back. I have been frustrated with him more times than I can count, because I feel he has so much to give and there always seems to be some setback.

In the 3 weeks since my concussion, I feel that we have made a small breakthrough. Cavi is moving better and we seem to be working more in harmony. What made the difference?
Maybe having concussion reset my brain and thinking patterns… but I have to be honest and say that the first week of riding him again, I was a little nervous and lacked trust in him. The fall had shaken my confidence and trust in him more than I actually realised.

Having Husref ride him a few times for me really helped. It helped make some of the issues we have been struggling with, a lot better and it has also made me see that he is not going to be naughty. I have also made sure that his feed has been readjusted again and that he is worked accordingly, as Cavi is a horse that thrives on work. I have also found a sound dampener ear bonnet makes a huge difference to his level of attentiveness to me vs his spookiness at unnecessary things.

This past week, we seem to have found a new level of trust and partnership. Cavi is like a diesel engine. He takes a LONG time to warm up and when he is warming up, he can be a little painful and not as forward as I think he should be but with more patience from me, and a slightly different method of warming up, he is actually working really well – off the leg, more through and over the back.

What I am trying to get at is that your horse never wakes up in the morning and plans to be difficult for you. He is reacting to what you are doing as a rider, his surroundings, his limitations in his own body, etc.

So when things go wrong, you need to figure out what and why and also how to fix it. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, be open minded, check your riding / position and don’t be afraid to try something new. Just remember that the biggest change needs to come from you as the rider.. whether mentally or physically!

My breakthrough came through mentally… I decided to not dwell on the negative and what could or had gone wrong, and instead to focus on what we would like to achieve. Then I had to also make myself not give up in that session, before we achieved what we wanted. Sometimes the brain is really clever at making excuses for the horse or for yourself. Then we end up compromising but not always in a good way.

I have had to remind myself a lot…. Mind over matter!