For anyone with confidence issues

[horselover]

This is really in response to Taffy's post, but I wanted to make it a new thread because I think the info is very helpful and I don't want anyone to miss it.

This is an excerpt from Horse Illustrated June 2001 edition.

"Barbra Schulte Shares Concepts for Gaining Confidence and Overcoming Fear

"1. Allow yourself recovery time.
"When you have a riding accident or personal trauma that keeps you out of the saddle, the natural instinct is to force yourself back into action immediately. 'However, a time of rest is necessary,' explains Barbra. 'You must have a physical, mental and emotional recovery. This recovery is when you grow and get srtonger... If you don't allow for recovery time, it will... take you longer to get back to the level you were at before.'...Look at your situation as an observer instead of participant.... Ask yourself 'What do I really like about riding?'

"2. Stretch your comfort zone.
"...Instead of pushing yourself, start where you are comfortable and stretch to a little bit of discomfort, but always end on a comfortable note. That may mean just hanging out with your horse for awhile before you actually get back into the saddle....'Pushing yourself when you aren't ready can actually make you feel weaker.'

"3. Replace fear.
"Fear must be replaced by positive emotions, you can't just 'try' not to be fearful. 'Fear is disempowering, while positive emotions(confidence, patience, focus, trust) add strength,' Barbra explains....'Replace the negative emotion... with positive emotions, ...use physical and mental tools to make this happen.' "

[B W]

I also read that article in HI. Even if a person hasn't had a fall or a bad experience, it's a good idea to ride in a round pen, a 20x40 or something until you are feeling confident. I am a beginner and the first teacher I had took me too fast. That may be okay for a young person but not for me. Now the teacher I have is more my age and understands that I have some fears to overcome. Some people think you just hop on a horse and go. They're not like bicycles, they have brains and reactions to scarry things. I'll get to be a better rider but it will take time. I've got all the time it takes.

Don't worry so much about the destination, just enjoy the journey

[Lynn_UK]

I'm also new at this, I've taken a fast track as this time last year I could only *just* canter. My teacher this week gave me her own TB (others ride him too) and said I was now 'asking' more than 'telling' and could cope with him.

I'm still learning every time I ride, especially little things like the horses attitude and behaviour. It's a great help to be able to read about other peoples experiences.

Soon I should be neck reining at canter, and waving a sword around, I'll have some more pictures up soon (I'm not in this one)

I fell at a fast canter about 2 months ago, Horselover, your 100% right. It's so easy to say 'I will do it', but when your back in the same situation it all comes back. I recently did an extended hack at a riding centre, after a few seconds of panic I was able to talk to the person next to me - if felt *so* good.

What do I like about riding?
Something about the freedom of it, and being able to communicate by asking, when you know that both parties are enjoying the experience.

[horselover]

Glad you guys liked the post- I thought that this article was very helpful, didn't you, B W?/ Like you said, it isn't just about of you have had a fall, it's just in general.

When I thought that I had a herniated disk and might not be able to ride without high risk to myself, i really had to evaluate what matters to me about riding. And I discovered that riding is a part of me I can never give up- no matter what. Loving horses is something that has been with me since I knew what a horse was! The most importnat thing to me with riding is the connection between the rider and horse- there is nothing like it. And also the freedom I feel when riding, especially jumping. I love flying throught the air on the back of a horse for just a few seconds in time.

[taffy]

thank u for the advice showjumper.

I have decided i am going to jump a little jump in a few weeks time and i will keep every1 posted on how my jumping is going


thanks again

Taffy

[horselover]

Glad you are going to try jumping again! Please let us know how it goes...

[taffy]

i am going riding today and if my instructor asks if i want to jump i will

[ani]

i think that this is the most sensible advice ive heard in ages!

Two years ago i fell off a 4 year old when we were galloping. i broke and dislocated my coccyx (think thats spelled right) and only started riding again a few months ago.

Slowly but surely im building my confidence up, last week i even went over a xc course the jumps were 2 foot at the most but i did it. even though i know my pony can jump alot higher (my friend took her over a 5 foot jump) i dont feel confident enough to do that yet. my next aim is to jump 2foot 2" and slowly build up from there.

the bit about getting to know your horse/pony from the ground is true i bought tia last september and had about 8 months where i couldnt ride her,that definatley helped build our relationship up. after everybody telling me to get on with riding i felt like screaming at them that i wasnt ready to do that yet.

keep this thread going im sure loads of people will find the advice interesting

ani