Training Blues

[Gracie]

Training my horse has definitly been the most difficult, frustrating thing I have ever done in my life! I love her so much, but latly I feel every step I take forward I take two steps back!

I almost feel like loosing hope and giivng up! After my injury I'm so nervous. i'm so embarassed to be scared of my own horse! I feel like all my confidence has gone down the drain!

Please tell me I'm not the only one who ever feels this way???

[maverick927]

You have a right to be nervous after your accident. I to have been through that problem with Maverick and it has taken me two years and a few lessons to get over my fears. Believe me it will get better.

[Lindi]

I have been riding for twelve years and I get nervous before I ride, after I ride even when I'm just thinking about riding. I guess it's just part of the whole riding experience. I would miss having all those butterflies in my tummy, it's what makes it exciting. I'm the fist to admit though that when it turns into anxiety rather than anticipation it just isn't funny any more. I started to fall off quite regularly about two years ago and I'd never fallen off before that and it really got to me. Then I found out that someone was saying that I was rubbish at riding and my confidence plummeted along with my riding. I've gained the greatest confidence from riding a horse that also gets a bit nervous and we kind of help eachother out. Keep at it and think positive, you'll get there in the end. If you are that anxious have you tried taking anything like oil of evening primrose or using aromatherapy, lavender helps you to relax.

[¶¤Lil Cowgirl¤¶]

Hey!

Gracie- Lol your not the only one. I was riding one day and within 2 minutes i expeirienced my first lope(canter), buck, and fall. And i was terrified after that... and because of that i didnt lope(canter) for 6 months. And even though the horse that that happened on is my fave horse, and i do trust her, and i would trust her with my life, everytime i get ready to lope her i cant help but feel nervous. im sure you will eventually get forward someday... and besides dont get completely fusturated with her... after all she is half TB. lol. bye!;)

[TheMoose]

Well all I can say is that's horses for you. They are not machines and have their off days too. The key is PMA (positive mental attitude) There are always lots of thing to work towards. Before you ride think 'right today I'm going to work on this' Work on that one thing at a time and things will gradually slot into place. Don't expect it all to come right at once!
Everyone has thier confidence knocked at some point. My mum had a nasty fall a couple of years ago and refuses to ride. I have sworn to myself never to get like that, I have seen how much it affects her. Ilost my nerve about a year ago and would not jump anything over three foot. One day i went down to the field by myself and literally swallowed my fear, just took a deep breath and thought what have i got to lose? That day i jumped 3ft9 and I haven't looked back since.
A famous jockey once said 'the people who get somewhere are the people who look forwards on thing good things to come, not backwards on the bad things gone'.
Good luck, remember PMA and think about the times when everthing went right and how good it felt, then get on your horse and go go go!
If your scared then tell me to go away.

[Gracie]

The Moose: Wow I love that quote, its true!
I really need to swallow my fear, but its so difficult. I still go see her and groom her and even lunge her! Thank you so much for your advice! And to everyone eleses support!