The Horse Forum banner
Status
Not open for further replies.

Overcoming Fear

4K views 27 replies 17 participants last post by  Cheval 
#1 ·
I've been riding for 10 years now, and I still have fear issues. I get nervous about jumping, skiddish horses, unfamiliar situations, and going faster than a canter. I've taken some nasty falls over the years, and I'm sure that has added to my fear, but I feel like I've always had to fight my mind. For example, my trainer knows I'm capable of jumping 2', but I sure as heck don't feel inclined to - I will, but I'll be nervous the whole time. I do not have a horse of my own at the moment, and I ride everyone elses horses. I recently made the IHSA riding team at my school - my coach knows of my fear issues, and since I'm only in 2A, I figure showing won't be that big of a deal. I guess she figures if I'm working for a team instead of just myself, I'll get over my fears. But who knows if that's gonna happen. I do not trust any horse I get on, and I know that being aware is important whenever one rides, but I can't seem to get the extreme distrust out of my head.

I'm wondering if anyone has any tips besides practicing - I already do that multiple times a week. 8)
 
#27 ·
i havent read any of the other replies so i apologise if i repeat anything.

fear is natural...its even normal. if we werent afraid we would have no concept of what could happen to us. just like when you are really young...you have no idea what could happen therefore you dont have a fear. you cant have a fear of something you dont comprehend. if you dont have a HEALTHY fear then you are in for trouble.

having said that, we need to learn to put that fear in a place where it doesnt interfere with our daily lives. fear can be so crippling and it can stop us from doing the things we would really love to do. for example, i would looooove to go skydiving but i am so terribly afraid of heights that i cant even do the short training and do a tandem skydive. its stopped me my whole life from experiencing the feeling of free falling from the sky. and, its something i dont think i could ever get over. but, jumping out of the sky at 10000ft is a little different i know.

when we get scared on the back of a horse its because we truly truly understand what we are dealing with. geez, a horse or a fall could kill us in a second. but knowing what can hurt us and understanding it are two different things. sure you have a fear of what MIGHT happen but do you have an understanding of why a horse would do something that would make us fall of or hurt ourselves??

next thing i want to say is about your own confidence. so many times ive seen people not get where they could because they let their fear get the better of them. you said your trainer knows you can jump 2'...listen to her!!! your trainer can see what you cant and she obviously sees that you are capable of doing more. when you get afraid of something its sometimes hard to see clearly what the situation is. trust your trainer and yourself, its the only way you will learn to push yourself past that point of fear so you can recognise exactly what you can do.

also i would like to say that it would be good for you to be constantly riding the same horse. once you get to know a horse and trust a horse you can find yourself doing things you normally wouldnt when you are riding a horse you dont know. i know sometimes its hard depending on your situation but knowing the horse you are riding can get you a long way.

and finally, im sure you are not alone when it comes to having a fear of galloping. galloping is the fastest and most unpredictable speed and if you have a buster at a gallop it will certainly hurt more than at a trot or canter but by choosing the time when you decide to gallop you can more easily avoid any problems from yourself or your horse. please dont try galloping or jumping higher though until you have settled in your fears and are more ready to face riding with a sense of fear yes but not a fear that is going to take you over. remember, your horse can tell if you are scared and this is going to make the situation even worse :D

good luck and i hope my short story has helped you a little lol
 
#28 ·
I agree with JustDressageIt - ask your trainer to keep you on one horse, a nice old school master.
Coming off of my mare, one of the spookiest horses I've ridden, my confidence (jumping wise) was ruined. I thought I would be terrified to jump on any horse I've ridden. But I took it slow for a while, and then started riding Sunny. Sunny loves jumping, and now I'm really confident (most of the time!).
But just remember to take it slow, and set little goals for each ride. Do trot poles for a while, maybe even take a break from jumping.
Good luck!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
You have insufficient privileges to reply here.
Top