Feeling weird about going faster!

Lately, I've noticed something. Every time I think of going faster than a walk, I get "scared".

The reason I say I'm "scared", is because I am more anxious/paranoid than actually scared about it. I've been riding for 5 years, and the fasted I've gone is a hand gallop (A borderline gallop, if that clarifies). Before, I never had any anxieties about it. I LOVED going fast, and I couldn't wait until I could ride again and lope around.
I haven't had a tramatic fall or anything. I've never lost control at a fast pace. Now if I even consider trotting, I phsyc myself out to the point I just don't do it. Once I get going, I'm fine; but it takes me a lot of pep talking to convince myself to just go faster.

Well, now I am embarassed. It is sooo weird, and I don't understand why I get so concerned about it. Any ideas about why I keep thinking negative things or advice would be helpful!

My best guess is that you are probably growing out of that youthful "I'm invincible" stage that most people go through. I have issues with the same thing except on young horses, I get nervous before I get on the first few times and have to really force myself. If you find something that helps to alleviate that twinge of fear, let me know.

^ I hope I find a way to get over it as well. I have been riding these horses for a year now, and they are well trained. I love going faster. I KNOW I do, but the feeling of anxiety just trumps that knowledge the majority of the time.

Boy, do I know the feeling. It is surprising how many of us are not afraid to admit to experienceing fear on a daily basis with riding. I had a rough fall 10 days ago, finally went for a ride yesterday and could only bring myself to canter for about 5 strides; just enough to satisfy my ego. Then I was happy to say to my riding budd, "the arena is too wet to canter" yeah, right!
When I ride the bravest , it seems, is when I ride with someone who might need a little push themselves. Then, perhaps as a show off, I will lead on the trail, canter off and do stuff I cringe to do alone.
Find someone who needs you to be a big sister to them, someone who needs you to give them confidence. What do you think?

You know, you may be on to something.

Maybe I have these feelings because I am the one being babysat. The youngest person I ride with is in his mid/late 20's. And everybody I ride with has been riding for at least 15 years. The majority of the people sit in the late 50's/early 60's range...and holy cow the stuff they still do on a horse. I do worry a lot about looking like an idiot in front of them.

As for the less experienced rider, I may look into that.

Bump!!!

Heck, if you took me riding you would feel like a pro in comparison, no doubt. Dream on it and tomorrow you will ride the wind.

Thanks!

I am so glad to hear I'm not the only one feeling scared sometimes about riding faster than a walk. I NEVER felt that way as a kid riding. Now I'm 30 and just getting back into it. I've only ridden about six times now as an adult, and I have really scared myself a couple times already. Especially at the canter. The horse I've been riding loves to canter, and sometimes I can't get her back down from it sometimes. Or at least it feels that way. Trotting isn't as much of a problem, but today while riding I was cantering in the outdoor arena and forgot everything and the horse took over, of course. She made a sharp turn into the center of the arena, and I keep having these horrible images of her turning so much that she falls on top of me. I'm giving her rein, so I guess that's pretty unlikely, but it really spooked me today.

I need to think more positive too!

You said it, you need to think more positive. I often let my mind, the mind of a mother who will always be on the lookout for bad things to protect her kids, herself and all against. I literally imagine the accident that COULD happen if this .. or that ... were to happen. Oh, I will see the horse falling on me, see him dumping me, you name it.
I have had a lot of close calls but "almost falling" is NOT falling.

Anyway, you just have to accept that this feeling called fear is part of the game. When you finish a ride and you're still in the same shape you started, isn't that a wonderful feeling? Don't you feel proud of yourself?
When I come down the driveway after a long trail ride wherein no jogger jumped out and made my horse spin out from under me, I say to myself, "THAT was a good ride!"
AND, as your seat comes back to you , and I promise you it will, you will have more confidence in your ability to deal with the unexpected. Every time your horse spooks or does something dorky and the adrenile shoots thrjough you but you DON"T fall off, that's one more to chock up to a growing sense of your ability to deal with whatever is dealt out.
I had a good ride today!
(I bit the dust really, really hard 10 days ago, and am scared but today,
I had a good ride.
Besides, I have fallen off lots, and though it's not very pleasant, it's usually not that horrible and it's over quickly. Very quickly