HELP... Im AfRiAd To RiDe AgiAn

[runaked]

Hi im 15 and i have riden horses all my life and just recently i have had a bad run in with my aunts horse when tried to ride him... before i rode this horse i had all the confidence in the world... now i am a bit shy (and scared if i dare say...):( to ride horses i would really like to go back to the level i was at which was jumping 2"3' (i think that is the right signel) and all giats... it has been a year and half since i have been on a horse and (that "run in" left me w/ a bruised hip broken foot and dislocated knee) so i dont want to go threw that agian... my beginner lessons are next weekend and i am terrified... do you have any tips and any thing that might help me gian some more confidence??? i looked all over the place i i cant find any sites that will help me learn to ride agian with some tips on posture and helping stuff... ( i recently went trial riding at our local stable and right away my posture stunk i was scared to death and i forgot how to put my feet/lead the horse/turn/stop and ect. i was just so terrified) so if you could help me that would be great!

thanks tons...

[runaked]

Hi im 15 and i have riden horses all my life and just recently i have had a bad run in with my aunts horse when tried to ride him... before i rode this horse i had all the confidence in the world... now i am a bit shy (and scared if i dare say...) to ride horses i would really like to go back to the level i was at which was jumping 2"3' (i think that is the right signel) and all giats... it has been a year and half since i have been on a horse and (that "run in" left me w/ a bruised hip broken foot and dislocated knee) so i dont want to go threw that agian... my beginner lessons are next weekend and i am terrified... do you have any tips and any thing that might help me gian some more confidence??? i looked all over the place i i cant find any sites that will help me learn to ride agian with some tips on posture and helping stuff... ( i recently went trial riding at our local stable and right away my posture stunk i was scared to death and i forgot how to put my feet/lead the horse/turn/stop and ect. i was just so terrified) so if you could help me that would be great!

thanks tons...

[Wally]

Start at day one, set yourself no targets, be kind to yourself. Find a horse you can trust, tell the folk where you are riding that you are terrified, they can then find you the right horse. We have a Kvikur and a Kina for the folk getting confidence back. If they feel you slip they stop, this is the kind of hore you need to start with.

Breathe, remember to breathe, stay in your comfort zone, even if you don't break out of walk, trot can come another day.

What you are doing takes a deal of courage, don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

Remember, it happened once, doesn't mean it will happen again. Look at it this way, you have had your biggy and now it's out of the way your riding career may only have one or two minor slithers from now on, as long as you don't take up team chasing;) :)

If you have a good instructor they'll be able to give you tips all the time and occupy your mind on other things, lift your ribcage up, try not to grip with your legs, stay calm, ask to trot when you are ready in 15 foot distances, a few steps at a time. Don't let them put pressure on you yet.

Best of luck.

[4_white_socks]

Take it slowly, you're not really going to get anywhere if you rush into things.
At first, just pat the horse, touch it, let it know who you are. When you are on, just sit there for a moment and get used to the feeling of the horse underneath you. Walk for a while and get used to the horse's movement. When you feel you are ready, go for a little trot. You might not do this all in one day - it may take several lessons for you to get to anything more than trot. Try to remember what you were taught before. Hopefully, positive memories will encourage you. Hopefully you'll remember all the good things you did and how much you loved riding before. This will help you and encourage you to ride how you know you should.

Mistakes are allowed to be made, so don't be put down if you can't do something you used to.

Do what Wally said - that's some great advice.

Best of luck, socks xx

[Peace]

Could you call up or better yet visit the place where you'll have your lesson next weekend? Ask your instructor to describe what she will ask you to do during your lesson. Maybe you can even meet your lesson horse beforehand.

Then visualize your lesson in your mind. Try to really imagine every detail: sight, sounds, smells, how it will feel to be back in the saddle. In your mind, you can "practice" doing everything right, and even plan how you might cope with a scary situation if it occurred.

Definitely follow the above advice about taking things slowly at first, and don't be ashamed to tell your instructor you're scared. Believe me, you're not the only one!;)

Most importantly, be sure and post and tell us all about your first lesson!:)

[suesue]

I've got my first riding lesson for a long time this weekend too. I too had a nasty accident some years ago. That will make two of us who are feeling very nervous. Like the others have said, take it slowly and if you have told your instructor about your fears, he/she will put you on a gentle horse/pony. If you find yourself thinking about your accident or anything bad that could happen while you are riding, replace that thought straight away with a positive thought of you riding the horse and enjoying yourself.

I have had some hypnotherapy and now have a cassette with relaxation techniques to listen to. There are some you can buy, but in the meantime, find some relaxing music, then lie down and relax your entire body, starting with the top of your head. Visualise each part and relax it, scalp, forehead, jaw, neck etc working right down until you reach your toes. Then when you are nice and relaxed tell yourself that you want to ride and you won't be afraid. I know it sounds unlikely, but that is what I have been doing and at the moment I don't feel too nervous.

Also I found on another horse website an article dealing with rider fear and one exercise to do was to make your lower jaw completely relaxed and droopy. Then touch your top lip with your tongue (do this when you are alone). You feel really silly , but it makes you laugh and that in itself relaxes you a bit.

Good luck for your ride this weekend. I shall be going through it too, so shall think of you. Tomorrow I will probably have turned to jelly.

We can swop notes later.

[Frost]

Im with 4_white_socks. I recently had a bad ride on Cash, my trainers horse, who did this "Off to see the wizard of Oz" thing. He wolud rear up a little and bounce back down. I fell halfway off, and then dagled there with my foot stuck in the sturrup. They got me out unharmed, just with my confidince in riding broken. They told me to get right back on that horse, and so I did. :D Getright back on that horse, one step at a time.:)

[easyhorsecare]

Find a kind and patient riding instructor, tell her exactly how you feel before you mount aboard.
If you feel more comfortable just to groom and tack up while you get to know the horse first, this should be alright.
Always build your confidence up slowly.
Have a great lesson - enjoy
From Tracy

[blueroan12:2]

*** i fink is that u shud ask any mates if they know a good riding school, and you should go and talk to the owner say what happened cos 2 tell u the truth i wud b petrified 2! And start in a private lesson they cost loadsa money i no but its worth it. You'll gain loadsa confidence and u'll get into the swing of things agen - at least in a private lesson u have the full attention of the instructor and if they understand ** problems they'll no how 2 handle u. Also u cud go on lunge. Plus it is less embarassin no1 watchin u so u more confident!

[Scarlett 001]

I had fears that had to be worked on after a fall. Most of what I would say has been said here.

But here are some thoughts. I would ensure that you have watched the instructor teach and that he/she has a nice, patient manner. I suggest discussing with the instructor that you want to work on developing a secure seat, stable riding position etc., and not just rush into things - some instructors push on to new things before basic security and stability in the saddle is established. My new instructor has really worked on my seat and position - I now believe that if something should go wrong, that I have a stable enough seat that I may be able to ride through it rather than tumble instantly, which happened in the past. Lunge work is also a good idea to help you focus on position and stability in the saddle. A solid foundation in regards to secure seat and riding position will make you a stronger, more confident rider. At least it has done this for me.

Best of luck.

[In the Irons]

I had a similar experience, only it was just handling horses! I took care of two awful ones for about a week. They were constantly trying to pin my to the wall, I couldn't pick their feet, and one day I spent over an hour just trying to halter one of them! One of them like to gallop from one end of the pasture to another, as close to me as he could get. Ug.
On that Saturday, I went to see a neighbor who owns two thoroughbreds - real sweethearts, but I was so soured from a week in hell that I was nervous around them! I was a little leery, thinking they might try the same (and they are bigger!), and it was making THEM nervous.
I realized that before I got on them to ride, I had to remind myself that I could do it. I'd done it before, and as long as I practiced safe horsmanship, I'd be all right. They knew me, they always were good to me, and I trusted them.

I think the most important thing is the trust. Before I got on, I just stayed with the horse a while, running my hands over him and reminding myself that horses have personalities just like people do - and some are just mean. Others, though, wouldn't hurt a thing.