Comments on: How to regain confidence afer falling off a horse

By: KATE

KATE — Fri, 05 Dec 2014 06:16:00 +0000

Julie-like so many others I have been injured, too. 2 Back surguries, ACL and 2 other ligaments of my Right knee, Broken Right wrist etc etc. Ride! It’s in us to love horses and we can’t explain why- it’s like breathing to us. Just ride! Brush, graze, walk on a lead yes but we both know nothing will satisfy the craving to ride except riding! Get a calm older horse, cut down on the risks by being mindful of where and when you ride.Don’t ride on a windy day-he’s liable to be jumpy-don’t ride in an area where alot of animals are liable to jump out in front of you. See? I can’t really afford to hit the ground again- I’m 59 and still need to work fulltime-but you can have many many confidence-building rides at a walk and jogtrot once in awhile-the worse thing that can happen is you’ll break a bone! So what! It breaks your heart everytime you chicken out and don’t ride! Ride girl, and smile and cry and thank that horse everytime he brings you back home safe. Love you! Kate

By: CJ

CJ — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 23:11:39 +0000

Seems you have a good sense of what path you want to take with horses. Find a trainer who fits that and I bet you’ll be where you want to be in no time!

By: Lynda

Lynda — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 13:36:51 +0000

Hi Julie, I’m also a “late starter” with horse riding. I’m 54 and have been riding for 1.5 years now. Also started because I couldn’t bear to just watch my daughter having lessons, even though I’d walk around the stables and talk to all the horses. I started my lessons (also very nervous to be on the back of such a big animal) and am now jumping 65cms. My trainer and I have become very close because even on days when I don’t ride I still go up to the stables and visit with the horses. I ride one horse all the time and he’s the most gentle gelding. He seems to know when he has a 3 year old or me on his back, compared to having a more forward going teenager, and he seems to compensate for us. I will get his grooming kit out and give him a good brush down and clean his hooves, or take him for a walk down to the grassy paddock area and just sit and watch him graze, or pet and talk to him. The kids at the stables used to laugh at me because when I first started riding him we’d get to the mounting block and as soon as I was going to mount he’d turn his bum out and face me. I’d go back down the stairs and walk him around and back to the mounting block. We’d do that as many times as it took till I was on his back and we’d have our lesson. Now when he occasionally tries that with me I just have to say in a gruff voice “NO, you know I’ve got a whole hour to spend doing this” and he steps closer in to the mounting block. I’m sure he now thinks it’s our own special little game that we need to play before our ride. Anyway, moral of the story is that because of the fact that my trainer allows me to spend the time just being with him it has given me more confidence. All the best, and stick with it 🙂

By: FranR

FranR — Mon, 27 Oct 2014 21:45:45 +0000

Hi Julie,
I’ve tried to read most of the posts . The advice from Jennifer and Sara are most like the way I teach my students. Everyone learns every day from their horse. I feel its an ongoig process.
I’d like to give to you a few points to start with.
you have to get control of your fears, anxeity, nervousness. you transmit this to the animal as soon as they see you. Dogs, horses, cats, wild animals- they read you.body language, scent, etc it all tells a story.
you need to start on the ground-stand and stroke the horse, talk to the horse, hand graze your horse-all this leads to an understanding between the horse and his rider.you must relax and also realize this will take time.time-patience, and love – these things will tell your horse he means something to you. it took me almost a year to get cheyene to really bond to me-not as his master, but as his partner. I must tell you-cheyene is a proud cut Morgan with lots of attitude. I’ve had him for 14years and we are still learning things.
He is also the herd boss -I come 2nd in the pecking order-none of the other horses will challenge me.
he only rides for me-he will let anyone sit on him. I can lead anyone around on him- but if I’m not in the ring he doesn’t move.
You need to try and get in some shape-legs and arm
strength are a plus. it will give you some confidence to control the situation.
i had a woman student who was terrified of horses , yet she loved them.She rode a ” bomb proof horse” starting at a 10 minute walk on him with me holdiog the lead line. this gradually increased to 1/2 hour walk after a month. you see this was what she needed to gain some confidence.
Julie, don’t let anything discourage you-it will come. I worked with this woman one on one for over a year-she will walk and trot on her own-I’m very proud of her. she now lives out West-shes very happy and confident again.
I wish you the best of luck-you will succeed!

By: Sara

Sara — Sat, 25 Oct 2014 09:53:09 +0000

Hi Julie,
I agree with Susan W. above. No horse wants to toss its head. All behaviors need to be researched. This is a good way to learn about horses. Is this horse tired of his job, doesn’t want a bit, has tooth problems, something in his mouth, bothered by insects,ill fitting bridle, behavior related to illness, high worm load, lyme, etc. All horses are different and they like different things, horses, other animals and people just like we do. After ruling out physical/emotional causes think about does this horse want to do what you are asking ?
The majority of behavior issues with horses come from people trying to fit them into the mold of what they want to “use ” them for. Take some time to go to different horse activity events. Every type of discipline has its way of doing things. You will be able to spot the horses that don’t fit in.
You can see it in their eyes. Many push button horses love being that way and move around happily. Others are that way because they have just given up after years of being forced into submission. I have had horses I have trained myself that actually would come up to me with eyes begging to be ridden.
Walking over and nuzzling tack. One horse I did not train but was “used” a lot before I got her only participated for me. It was not fun for her. She would have preferred to never be ridden again. So I took her on carefree halter and bareback rides most of the time and she seemed to say “well, that wasn’t so bad”. I didn’t make her trot around a ring or go to shows (where she was clearly fearful) anymore. People need to avoid taking riding lessons until they have taken care of a horse for at least two months. And then learn groundwork as the intro to riding. There is so much to it all. It would also weed out the people that just want to wear fancy clothes and sit on fancy tack.
I come down somewhere between natural horsemanship and haute ecole. Just being with horses is so wonderful and when you are on the ground you can look in their eyes all of the time !

By: Plexico

Plexico — Fri, 24 Oct 2014 10:51:38 +0000

thanks to all the comments it’s very insightful

By: Susan Wolfson

Susan Wolfson — Thu, 23 Oct 2014 20:13:53 +0000

Julie,
There is a horse out there for you. The lesson horse is sour, and the trainer shouldn’t have given you that mount. Finding a horse that you can enjoy is a journey. Even one that is dead broke will have quirks, the idea is to find one that has minimal quirks. Don’t give up, find a horse you and your daughter can enjoy together. Lessons are good for the basics but horsemanship experiences at a barn where kids learn other stuff is better. Maybe volunteering at a therapy barn where horses are better temperament would work for you and your daughter. OR, have someone you trust find a suitable horse for you to lease.

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 23:26:34 +0000

I’m 44 and only had my beautiful horse Jessie for 4 years. I have loved horses my whole life and decided after a severe car accident at 39 that life is too short to not do the things you love deeply. My horse helped me heal and give me courage. Still at this age we think so differently than children. We over think everything so that fear creeps into our head. I completely get what you are going through and honestly the only thing that will make it better is riding. Take your hour lessons but more importantly ride! Sit on your horse if nothing else, in the saddle or bareback. Even if it’s only a few minutes a day. Work her, be with her as much as you can. It’s when you distance yourself from her the fear comes back. Just do what you love:)

By: Bj

Bj — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 21:36:04 +0000

Hi Julie,

I have loved and rode horses most of my life,
and first thing is to understand that they are a
prey animal so then tend to act that way and we are the predator. I was buck off 2yrs ago because
wanting to ride and enjoy life as usual my horse however does not like being in arena with people
looking upon him so me not listening to him cause me to break my back. After the accident found out when I was hospitalized my horse was breaking gates and would not come to anyone he was very wild, I had him since a foal raised him broke him myself and did not even think my not being there would have an affect such as that he was mad at everything and was taking it out on everything,
when I arrived home from the hospital I gave my whistle and his head high he came charging up, me
standing barely, saying please don’t run me over please don’t run me over, he stopped amazingly 2 feet in front of me came over put his head over my shoulder pulled me into his neck and gently squeezed me with his head. I was so happy to see him and said I love you buddy and it was not your fault. When I turned to walk away he pulled me gently again as to say I love you too. Had no more issues with gates, lol.Horses are the most amazing creatures and the most for giving all at the same time patience and understanding I rode him a week later and he took it so easy with me,
He was 10 years old AQHA Quarter Horse 99% Foundation bred I Love all my horses Hang in there Julie it will happen when the time is right for you, and you will know when you fall in love with that special horse

By: Margaret

Margaret — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 15:47:55 +0000

Maybe,you should consider giving up riding and rather do something therapeutic with horses like TTouch. You obviously have a love of horses but not necessarily riding which may not be a bad thing once you accept the idea.