Is spooking caused by nervousness?

[Daphne]

Not sure if this is the right place to post but here goes.

Today i really felt like saying 'can i go home and never see a horse again'.

It started off fine- different pony, good leg position, alright rise in the trot - then disaster when off the lunge and walking around the school.

I went up to the same fence and both times the pony bolted off down the school. I stayed on thank god but it really shook me up. The instructer said the second time the horse was trying it on because he was picking up on how nervous i was.

I think it was a wake up call to the fact that riding is much more unpredictable. I feel more nervous now than ever.

Next to round the lesson off after changing the pony (which i was really grateful for) after trotting again and again around the school the pony went into a canter - it was nice in a way because it was just like everyone on this board has said about it - smooth. But i felt out of control.

I'm fine on the lunge- can rise without reins and my arms stuck out in the air like a mad thing but as soon as i'm off it in the school i feel uneasy because the horse/pony knows i'm not in control- is that why the 1st pony spooked?

As you all know i have been dying to try the canter but it was all wrong, totally out of the blue and has left me feeling the size of a paper clip.

Sorry for long post.
Daphne.

[Fufi]

Dear Daphne,
I'm sorry your experience of cantering isn't all you hoped! I would imagine that the first time you tried, the pony may have been scared by something in the school, or possibly by the fact you may have felt unbalanced on his back, not being on the lunge. Could your instructor carry on your cantering lessons on the lunge? Obviously you need a balanced, steady pony. This would help you get your seat while still feeling secure. When you tried it on the next pony, your body (very sensibly!) was telling you that last time you were scared, and to be careful. It's part of our natural mechanism, to be wary in a situation we don't feel happy in! To make you feel a bit better, when you get your balance sorted on the lunge, the pony will be happier, and will carry you much more easily. They feel a bit wobbly with us on their backs! And don't forget, canter is much easier to sit on than trot (when it goes right) I remember it took me ages! So don't be afraid to tell your instructor if you don't feel right. Then you will wonder what all the fuss was about! Best of luck, and kick on with it!
Fufi

[Wally]

Schools should not be using horses that get upset by nervous riders. 50% of riders a school horse is likely to come across will be nervous for one reason or another. Likewise they should not use such sensetive horses who will become upset by an unbalanced rider. If they put you on a horse that is likely to become upset it is downright unfair, I assume you have told them you are not the bravest person in the world!

They should be putting you on horses that will make you feel on top of the world and safe. Once you can ride well enough to confidently handle a more nervy type, then go for it. Until then they should be helping you not scaring you!

My own horse is a very sensitive horse who really gets upset by a nervous or unbalanced rider. It is for this reason I don't let anyone else ride him. It would be negligence on my part to allow this because I know he is liable to throw wobblers if he gets upset. It wouldn't be fair to him, horses like this need to be given confidence by their rider.

[Edited by Wally on 31st Jan 2001 at 07:15 PM]

[Gracie]

I understand excally how you feel i used to be afraid to canter in tight circles, I don't know why I just was! And when I told my coach it was like i said the silliest thing ever to her! If you feel uncomfortable tell your instructor and ask if you can ride a calmer horse until you feel very confident and you can move on! But trust me we ALL feel this way sometime, your not the only one! ;)

[palomino22]

Daphne, I know how you feel. Exactly the same thing happened to me and it really put me off riding. I started riding at a small yard, on a schoolmaster type and learnt all the basics. Then the schoolmaster was sold and I was put on to the young spooky horses instead. My confidence was totally blown after a bad fall from a young horse who jumped out of his skin because a rabbit run out in front of him. I tried to carry on at the same place thinking I could get my confidence back. The trouble was what I needed was a calm and quiet horse like what I started on, but all I was given to ride were jumpy youngsters. In one lesson the horse bolted around the school because someone slammed a car door, like you I was left shaking like a leaf. Things carried on this way, one day it was a bird flying past, another day it was the wind blowing. They just kept spooking and I got shouted at for being scared.

Then I searched around and eventually found a great school full of schoolmasters! They are such confidence givers and that is what I needed. I saw the difference straight away, everthing was so much calmer and relaxed. I trotted 3 times around the school and felt great. I had been unable to do that at the other place any more as I was so frightened at what might happen.

Wally said some very true things. Riding schools should not use these types of horses for beginners. They are ok for more intermediate riders who can cope and want to move up a stage. But they are definitely not for me, I've got my kids to think of. I regard my riding as a past time that I really enjoy, not something that is putting me at risk. Ok there is always some risk involved, but if you play it safe the risks are reduced.

You mentioned before that you are taking lessons at 2 schools at the moment, is the other school any better?

I'm sorry to waffle on a bit, but this one is close to my heart!....I've been there - and it ain't very nice.

[Daphne]

To Palomino-The other school i go to conducts its lessons in a local park and they are alright. The school where the incident happened was in an arena and the pony i was on is quite old i think. I hope i won't be on her again next week.

The canter i have to add was not planned Fufi, i was supposed to be trotting.

The school said that horses are unpredictable and especially with this pony if you loose concentration for a minute she does spook which i don't understand. I agree with Wally - why are they using this pony if she does this as there was nothing moving, bright, loud, nothing to scare her.

Thanks for replies.
Daphne.

[Dizzy]

the school shouldn't put you on horses that react in a way that will destroy your confidence.

Unfortunately if we're nervous, we tense up and this is what the horse picks up on, and some horses will use this to their advantage and take the mick.

Your instructor shouldn't put you in that position. I always think its better to ride a horse that needs pushing on when your confidence needs a bit of a boost, and then when the pace speeds up your ready for it and you feel in control. When you feel you are dictating the pace you'll know when your ready to canter.

Hope your next lesson is better, you sound as if you've mastered balance, try to relax and concentrate on nice even breathing, (thats what my instructor tells me) and this relaxed feeling passes through you to your horse. And insist on a nice quiet school master until you feel ready to move on to something more challenging.


Good luck and if this school can't offer you a more trust worthy horse, speak with your feet and find somewhere that can! Don't let it spoil your ambition to ride, its the greatest feeling in the world, and on the right horse I'm sure you'll agree.

[Jo]

Hi Daphne,

I have to agree with Wally. How irresponsible to put a nervous rider on a horse that obviously reacts to the rider's nerves. Now, all horses will spook at some things so even school masters are prone to the odd wobbler but this is rare in the school environment. And remember, you are very brave to ride - braver than people who do not have your misgivings. Don't feel foolish, just be patient and try to get your instructor to put you on a sensible horse.

[Daphne]

Really worried about tomorrows lesson as it is with the same riding school.

I hope i'm not on the same pony as i didn't fully understand Wallys post until I read the last two posts.I didn't realize that Wally was saying the horse picked up on how nervous i was and reacted in a way a school horse shouldn't do.

On the whole the school is good and perhaps it is one of things but I don't wish to loose the confidence i have gained.

Daphne.

[palomino22]

Daphne, tell them that you don't want to ride the pony that spooked. Don't feel as if you can't tell them, you are paying them for a service, and they should try and provide you with what you ask. You won't be the first or last person to say they are nervous or worried.

Let us know how you get on.

Best of luck.

[Clj369z]

I had a similar situation with a riding instructor who was pushing and pushing to get me to canter - we finally had a long dicussion and what I found out was that - the instructor felt my seat was great and that I looked good on the horse and in control - she was astonished to find out that I felt totally out of control and the though of even a fast trot un-nerved me. So what we agreed upon at that time was that when I felt comfortable enough to want to canter it was my responsibility to tell her - otherwise we did alot of work at the walk and trot and really pushed my limits on the fast trot. For me the issue was speed and being able to see the fence post go by quicker and quicker.

Good luck with your lesson - Cindi

[Daphne]

Thanks for advice.
Luckly I didn't have the same pony but one I have had before. The lesson went really well - very surprised.
Did 20m circles for the first time and went around cones to practise steering.
Daphne.

[palomino22]

That's good news Daphne. I am pleased it went well for you. Well done!

[Katie_85]

We have places around where I live that allow you to go on "guided trail rides". So I did. I was put on a 3 year old gelding. Everything was okay until the instructor's horse took off into a canter and so did mine. I got control...that time. The second incident was when a motorcycle passed us and the horse spooked. Well, he hit the road, I hit the pavement. Not a good thing. The instructor did not require helmets and quite frankly paid little attention to me (the novice) or the 9 year old girl I had with me. Sory for the long post, but just a warning to check out the schools before you go! P.S. I am taking lessons at a different place and I am slowly working myself up to the trot. Good luck everyone!!!

[Mare-e]

Am in support of all said here. Instructors should be selecting horses that are well matched and suitable to the rider and to the work being done. I am also a nervous rider at times and just learned a humbling lesson in my attempts to cantor. Had moved up from the "steady Eddie" sort of plodders to a few more sensitive horses because had finally gained more balance and sensitivity as a rider at walk and trot. But when I once again tried to learn to cantor(have tried off and on for the past year), I was nervous and tense and therefor off balance and managed to fall. My instructors determined that my nervousness about this new work would not be suitable for the more sensitive horses so I should temportarily go back to the "steady Eddies". Well, I was humiliated at the thought of being demoted to a beginner horse but found much to my amazement that because I was a bit better rider that suddenly these horses had become more resposive! So this past lesson I got used to the secure feel of motivating a very calm and steady horse at walk and trot, and hope to begin cantor on the lunge next lesson.

Like others here, I have been through lots of different horses and lots of different instructors, and find it extremely important to be very vocal in expressing your feelings and your goals with your instructors. If you can get your instrutor to develop a strategy with you to accomplish specific goals it can feel more empowering and takes away a bit of the fear. Few instructors seem willing to work in partership with their students like this, but this approach has made a huge difference in the way I feel about riding and the productivity of my lessons. Don't lose heart and much good luck.

[olympicprincess]

When you said "went up to the same fence and both times...", what did you mean? were you jumping?