babyboomer
124 posts
Aug 19, 2008
12:53 PM
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Ok, fear really sucks. I am really pissed at myself! I got dropped a few weeks ago when my horse spooked. I herniated a disc in my back when I did (I know- compared to so many of you it is not a big injury, but it hurt like hell) So, I was determined to get back on asap so as to not become afraid. I got on 3 days later and was in so much pain at the time and TENSE, that he spooked again (this time I was ready for him so I stuck) I was ready to cry because I wanted a brief good ride before I had to stay off and heal. Ok, today was my first real ride since the fall ( a couple of weeks ago) Today I rode western and wore my vest. We just WALKED slowly and as I was ready to dismount) my vest got caught on the horn! My feet were literally dangling! Thank God, I managed to wiggle free (have no idea how) I promptly took OFF the vest and rode at a walk again. Nothing bad happened, but I was still on edge. I am so angry at ME. This stupid fall shattered confidence and I want it BACK. Tommorrow I am going back to english and my vest. No more horns for me. I just want this to be behind me. I have always been afriad of trails since a bolting accident MANY years ago, but this is the ARENA. I always felt safe there... Ok, I have rambled on long enough. I just knew you guys would understand. Thanks for "listening" :-)
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http://www.youtube.com/user/autumnbreezeTB
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DixieMom
542 posts
Aug 19, 2008
11:05 PM
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Horns can be a real pain! And if something happens fast enough to make you fall, you won't have time to grab a horn anyway. I'd rather not have one to get hung up on on my way down!
Hang in there and don't rush the time it takes to get your confidence back. After a bad fall last year (broke my pelvis) I was so scared. I wanted to ride in the worst way, but was having a real hard time. I went to a trainer to get some help and she was really encouraging. The best thing she taught me was to sit deeply into the saddle and to learn to keep centered balance. These two things have made my seat much more secure than it ever was before. I started riding out again, little by little, and by experiencing a few spooks with my "new" seat, I came to realize that other than a huge spinning spook, I did not have to worry about falling off anymore.
So I don't know if this helps, but working on a deep seat and staying balanced over the center may help you as well. I think the trainer was helpful also in pushing me a little - like trotting again. She could read Dixie and knew there was not going to be a problem, and her encouragement helped me break the "trot barrier" sooner than I would have on my own. A couple weeks later we cantered, but I still don't have a lot of confidence yet in that area.
I also found some friends my age who like to ride trails (at a walk), and it helps having others who don't put any pressure on, so the ride is pretty enjoyable, although slow. That's OK by me - more time to enjoy the scenery!
I plan to ride until I'm 80 and Dixie is 40, so going slow now is not an issue in the long term scheme of things. :)
----------Dixie Mom
"The art of riding:
Keeping a horse between you and the ground!"
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dog-shrink
346 posts
Aug 20, 2008
2:27 AM
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Babyboomer I know fear is horrible. We have/are all going through it. Sometimes it takes over our lives. The good news is that fear can diminish. It doesn't always keep going down at the same level but can yoyo up and down. You will be able to manage this fear. It will diminish and you will be able to ride without having a panic attack.Keep at it doing small tasks.
As to the horn - I know you can get clothing caught up on it. I tuck in my T shirt when I ride. However, I hate riding english and wouldn't swop my aussie for anything.Maybe if you have a great seat it's OK I don't. Of course it's all personal preference. Whatever makes you less fearful then use that.
Good luck!
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Bitless - not witless!
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LC
105 posts
Aug 20, 2008
3:19 AM
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Hello!
I did it too last weekend! The most embaressing dismount of my life and that was off an ENGLISH saddle! :0/
I still don't know what part of the saddle my body protector/vest got caught on but I ended up in a heap on the ground. I didn't hurt myself - apart from my pride!! and I was just very relieved that there were not loads of people around to witness it. :0)
As far as the fear goes, I find repetition is the answer for me, (sometimes I have to push myself past my comfort zone) and also groundwork.
Louise and I and a friend from the yard have been doing loads of Parelli stuff with Zack this week and I feel that it is really starting to pay off.
Yesterday I walked him round the big farm block in hand and it was like taking a different horse to the one I did it with 2 or 3 weeks ago!
That time he barged, pulled and panicked every inch of the way and nearly got away from me at one point (on the road!!)
This time, apart from getting 'into my space' a few times (and out again when I told him to) he was brilliant. I didn't feel like a physical and nervous wreck when we got back.:0)
You will get there eventually - we all will, and give each other lots of encouragement along the way!
Bye for now
Megan
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babyboomer
126 posts
Aug 20, 2008
5:12 AM
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Thank you all!!!!! I am going back today to ride again. My trainer is YOUNG and does not seem to understand the fear of someone like me who is over 50. She took a fall off a young horse a few days ago and got a concussion (he spooked at these STUPID peacocks my barn has-grrrr) She was back up on a horse in 2 days with NO fear at all.
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http://www.youtube.com/user/autumnbreezeTB
Last Edited on 20-Aug-2008 5:13 AM
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ladyinblack792
245 posts
Aug 20, 2008
7:08 AM
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Hi Babyboomer. Your trainer may seem like nerves of steel on the outside but I bet she has some shaky nerves on the inside. Some people can put on an excellent exterrior (I know I did on my first ride) but inside I was a complete mess. As for the disc... Any injury is an injury, no matter how minor or severe it is still an injury. In my opinion a disc injury can be worse than a broken bone. (I also have back issues but that is neither here nor there.) Just be proud of yourself for getting back on and every little acomplishment you should be proud of, as others here have said "baby steps." :)
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AlbuquerqueCathy
34 posts
Aug 20, 2008
11:01 AM
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Babyboomer, I TOTALLY can relate to your experience. Even after successful rides, I'd backslide mentally and start stressing by Tuesday about the Sat. ride. One thing I've discovered about me, just like w/ your horse, is if you're scared, take 2 steps back in what you're doing to something you're not scared to do. Do that as many times as you need to before progressing on. The groundwork is a good idea to keep communication going and I think having someone with you the next time you mount up just to keep talking w/ you is a good idea. I have friends too who have fallen and act like they're not scared. Not sure I believe that, but we all have different personalities and they're also younger. My 51 year old body doesn't "bounce" like it used to. I'd rather bail a 100 times and get back on than take a fall. Surround yourself w/ people who understand that fear and if they don't find those who do. MANY OF US HAVE BEEN THERE. I'm still working on that, but after 2 years of being afraid and NOT being able to relax, I had a ride last Sat. that was actually fun and I wasn't worried. He spooked in place once but that was it and I was able to relax again. A first in a very long time. Don't beat yourself up and keep your sense of humor.
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babyboomer
127 posts
Aug 20, 2008
2:16 PM
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Gee, I wish you guys boarded with me :-) Today my boy was a total jerk weed; I think he was testing me. We did trot the length of the arena and then- I hopped off. I kept doing a little more and hopped off inbetween which looked INSANE, but I am trying to build NEW good memories where NOTHING BAD happens until I get courage back. It sounds crazy, but it is worked. I was like, "Whewwwwwwwww!" everytime I got off. You would have thought he galloped! I have yet to ride again in the indoor....
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http://www.youtube.com/user/autumnbreezeTB
Last Edited on 20-Aug-2008 2:16 PM
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AlbuquerqueCathy
36 posts
Aug 20, 2008
4:22 PM
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Oh, I bet you're right. They do test. I've read lots of posts and info from high level trainers and one thing that bothers me is too much a slant that horses are all loving and kind and sweet and prey animals..........and you just need to understand what they're telling you, bla bla bla, well, that is true, but just like the sweetest of us, we all can have that poopy side and they will test you and they weigh 1000 lbs so their tests can get you hurt. You have to learn to be firm but fair and push back when they push. Had I known that when I got my filly years ago I probably would have enjoyed a better outcome and been MUCH safer. So, IMHO, do take baby steps for YOU when you need but make sure whatever steps you take, your horse does not sniff out that you are afraid of him. My trainer helped me notice subtle cues that she was not respecting me and capitalizing on my fears. He has to know you're confident, even in the baby steps. Quitting on a good note is ALWAYS a good idea.
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Izabella
145 posts
Aug 21, 2008
12:18 PM
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Babyboomer, there is NOTHING wrong with baby steps! Hey you are trotting, aren't you? Who cares if its only a part of the arena. At one point anything above a slow walk would make me want to curl up in the fetal position (bad idea in the saddle!). When I was working with my Paint i would spend 45 minutes mounting and dismounting...every day for a month or two! If I felt really brave... we'd take 5 steps with my husband on the lead line... And you know what? All that "silly" mounting and dismounting paid off the night he got his foot caught in this stupid white stepstool (which I've since thrown away) WHILE i was mounting... he spooked but only slighlty and I was able to remain calm... we had done it so many times that he let me safely dismount and get him unstuck. He could have seriously injured both of us had we not taken all the baby steps, thankfully we did the work and it paid off! Go where you're comfortable and safe... that'll keep expanding the more you do it!
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babyboomer
128 posts
Aug 22, 2008
2:46 PM
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Thanks guys! Ya know, I did A LOT of mounting and dismounting too :-) When I took a lesson with my trainer, I had HER ride him first in the dreaded indoor, and as soon as she circled him towards the door, he started to spook. Of course, she just drove him on and SHE was very calm. She said she likes riding a horse that is a little more of a challenge. I said I DON'T! I did ride him after she wore him down, but I did not venture near the door. I will tell you, between the darned peacocks parading and hoping onto fences and that stupid door with all the warning signs outside that people don't seem to read, I am about ready to move to another barn. When I tried to lunge him the other day, he moved out great going counter clockwise no problemo, but REALLY acted up when going the other way- I gave up because he was getting so pissy. So I had my trainer do it, he he did the SAME with her ( I at least felt validated that it was not my "nervous energy") I told her to CUT DOWN HIS GRAIN, as he is no longer in training and I think a lot of his wackiness may be based on that as he was always fairly quiet.
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http://www.youtube.com/user/autumnbreezeTB
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ankeloveshaflingers
1 post
Aug 23, 2008
3:04 AM
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hey babyboomer!
i had an accident about 8 weeks ago as a horse i was trying to buy bolted on the road and shyed at a car and the horse fell (i ripped my nee cap off and has stiches across my knee)but for anyone any fall can shattering.
im on the same path as you at the moment i was only walking to trotting untill last week i canterd i cried with a relife (witch sounds stupid i know) im also haveing a lesson today (23/08/08) well its a hack at my stables and im feeling abit nervous as i will and only ride one horse up there a Throughbred X irish draft and she can be quite fast at times altho i know she will look after me i still have my accident in my head...well i have no idea if this helped but you not the only one and im only 15 atm and i gotta face the fact i have plenty more falls ahead :O
xxxxx
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babyboomer
130 posts
Aug 24, 2008
8:11 AM
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Wow, ankeloveshaflingers! After that big fall and you CANTERED!! Most excellent :-) I do understand the tears of relief. You are doing great!!! ----------
http://www.youtube.com/user/autumnbreezeTB
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ankeloveshaflingers
2 posts
Aug 25, 2008
6:07 AM
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hi its me agian
after my hack i had a grate time i did get a abit nervous cantering up the hill and loosing my striups but i kinda giggled at the end
im now looking at horses to but now (:
xxx
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