Fast track day 2

Fast Track DAY 2 - (high emotion warning) ok so this morning started with a bang. Unfortunately a bit too literally, as my head connected with the Solid metal stable door when Jack went RB. Another horse went out of it's stable and he suddenly got into his head that the herd was leaving. At the same moment I was entering his stable and was just behind his door as he went to charge through it. Next thing there was a horrendous bang, lots of pain, and I was seeing stars laying on the floor. He didn't knock me out so my head must be good and hard. It must have given him a start as he actually stayed in the stable, but I did let out a bit of a squeal! A large egg, covered half my forehead and was looking A bit Munster family like. My eye is slightly sore, but I think I have escaped a shiner. Have a multitude of bruises all over including a very impressive lump on my thigh, which I found in the shower!!!

Anyway, I then couldn't get jack out of the stable as his energy was too up. As he was banging the door down someone ran to get an instructor as I was out of my depth. However, I learned that I am so not hard enough. Jack came storming out the stable, completely not thinking and I saw a proper phase 4....wham! He got several as he was rearing and trying to run and couldn't stand still. By those standards I probably only get to a 2!!!!! I then got instruction on how to deal with him and not allow that focus to go off me. It was only 9am and my arms were falling off.
My head was throbbing and I was feeling quite strained. I was awake at 3.30am as I just can't sleep. My dinner went in the bin last night too as I couldn't face it. And anyone who knows me, knows how much I like my food!

The rest of the morning were assessments and more assessments. Firstly on knot tying and then online tests. Some of which I did ok on, particularly any involving moving the feet!!! Others which usually are not an issue, just fell apart....and some which I thought had no hope with, we did really well ...principle 2!!!!! We also had our attitudes tested as the rain clouds came over head and the heavens opened. We were all soaked through, but the sun did reappear.

Jack decided he really did not want to go back into his stable as he had enjoyed the grass and freedom too much. Quite quickly an angel appeared and put him in. The instructors were super with me today, constantly checking to make sure I felt all right and helping me with jack when needed.

When we broke for lunch I hung back at the end, and waited for everyone to thin out. At which point I went and sat in the car and sobbed my heart out. I think it was me releasing huge amounts of tension from the last couple of days and probably longer. But part of this course is emotional fitness and I needed a good clean out of pent up fear, stress, worry, and much more...out it came and then I felt a whole lot better. Went and washed my face, smiled and went for lunch.

The afternoons session was freestyle testing. I didn't ride for obvious reasons, but I wasn't alone. We did well however in bridling from our knees, except I went first in my group. I headed over to what I thought was something for us to kneel on as the ground was wet, only to be told...er...that is the instructors coat! So my cheeks were now matching my forehead in colour!

The blub had obviously improved my attitude. All I kept thinking was how I want to be a better leader so that my horse can feel safe with me no matter what. At the end of the afternoons tests I managed to put my horse away and keep him under control in the stable, with a new game called you stick your head out the door when I am asking you back and I will bop you on the nose. Hard. No mercy! New version of don't make me pick up my stick. It was very effective. I actually managed to muck him out for the first time since we arrived and tie up his hay net and do nice things, rather than throw it all over the door! Ok, so he was tired, but I felt that I was being progressive.

I finally got back to my room @ half 8. I left at 6 this morning, I am exhausted but it has been a good day...yes, really!! I learned tons, I got frightened half to death about how much we are going to learn over the next few weeks, and I didn't realise how ill prepared I was.....my goodness it is going to be tough.............