Any one else have problems riding in an arena?

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I don't know why but I have major problems riding in an arena. I am so nervous that it transmits to the horse straight away and my normally sane, lovely boy just threw in the towel tonight,spooking and running off, I just sat there like a moron, when I finally got a hold of him, I couldn't get out of that school fast enough,and went for a hack instead. Now this is ridiculous, we went past the farmer welding his tractor,and quad bikes, and blue flappy tarp that covers a boat with no problems, did transitions etc.
I just don't know what it is about schools - I think its the lack of space that if they do go, I know I will fall off and hit the fence - my worst fear is them jumping it. Trouble is I have agreed to do a dressage test on sunday - In a bloody school.....help!
 
no tips I'm afraid, just thinking how funny we all are. I'm the exact opposite of you! I do try to hack out but have to force myself, too scary!!
I'm sure you'll be fine for your dressage :)
People that hack are one of the bravest people I know, they deal with the unexpected all the time and everything is out of your control.
If you can hack happily, then you can manage a dressage test.
 
Is it an indoor he's spooky in? I've just moved my mare and she can be an utter horror in the indoor. She does proper swooping front legs apart snorting at nothing spooks out of the blue. Rays of sunshine, shadows on walls, wet patches and even bird poo have reduced her to a nervous wreck at times!

She was horiffic when I first got her 8 years ago. Had never ridden such a spooky animal. Eventually she settled down a treat ( I kept her at home with my others) but by heck since moving her to the new yard she's become a complete moron again! I shall prevail once more as must you...once he's used to it it'll be ok.

Try lunging and groundwork, it helps. (although my mare fears nothing when I am at ground level!)
 
Try doing some 'bombproofing' exercises in the arena, to build up your confidence as well as your horses. Start on the ground so you keep calm and set out a bit of an obstacle course. Get on board when your horse is doing it fine , and concentrate on the obstacles instead of the fact you are in an arena- chances are if you are feeling trapped your horse will too. If you can complete the obstacles in a small area of a field there is no reason why you shouldn't be able to in an arena. I know its hard to do something when you have got a mental block on it I've been there too with a different problem:o good luck :)
 
I've always disliked riding in a school, I'm not sure why either!

I'll happily school in the corner of a field or out on a hack, but feel very unsettled riding in a school. Not exactly nervous, more uncomfortable which transmits to the horse. As a result, although I've got a school, I've barely ridden in it.
 
swampdonkey said:
no tips I'm afraid, just thinking how funny we all are. I'm the exact opposite of you! I do try to hack out but have to force myself, too scary!!
I'm sure you'll be fine for your dressage :)
People that hack are one of the bravest people I know, they deal with the unexpected all the time and everything is out of your control.
If you can hack happily, then you can manage a dressage test.
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Haha Swampdonkey, I'm exactly the same....school no problem but hacking...eeek!
 
Have you tried leading him roundprior to riding? If its more your problem than his, it may help you to realise he's not really scared of anything in there. Rescue remedy is great for nerves, breathing exercises, and my friend swears by her body protector for a confidence boost.
Enjoy the test on sunday, remember it doesn't matter and that your there to have fun, and you wil!!
 
I used to be the same. Happy to hack, XC and hunt but was nervous of riding in the school. I didn't ride in there for well over a year.

I started off just walking and trotting about in there, then cantering and finally doing pole work and odd jump now.

My horse was always a bit cheeky in there but this was only cos he knew I wasn't comfortable in there etc. now I go in there with a plan of what to do in my head, he is fine.
 
I am the same. I think it is all the corners and if they set off you have nowhere to direct them except a circle which can unbalance both of you.
 
Im excatly the same as you. I hate riding in the school but am quite happy hacking out and riding across Dartmoor
 
I was like that and still feel far more confident hacking but I have persisted and gradually we have both improved.

He spooked all the time because he found it hard work going round in circles, very unbalanced and had a sore back - now he is far better but still makes a fuss sometimes.

I keep sessions very short and varied with poles and loads of transitions and unexpected changes of rein etc and that keeps him thinking and interested.

with hacking even though you pass scary objects, at least there is a point when you have got past them, whereas in a school you never do!
 
Normal outdoor school - tried again tonight just in case it was the weather last night, went in got about 20mins warm up then he started, spinning around and running off. All of my confidence has just gone now and I don't even want to ride him again. There will never be a horse quiet enough for me, I ruin them all by being so nervous. Time to hang up my boots for good I am beginning to think. I am meant to be doing dressage this weekend but I cant even see myself getting any where near the arena TBH.

It's a shame as he was a nice horse and I have just ruined him now.
 
I'm having the same problem in the school at the moment. A pigeon flew out of the bush twice and spooked my mare and I fell off both times! I have completely lost my confidence after just getting it back. I have a great instructor that comes out to me once a week and that really helps, could you have some lessons in the school? I also lunge before I get on. Please don't feel like you have to give up and that you have ruined your horse as I'm sure you have not, you just need to take time and get your confidence back.
 
I don't like riding in arenas unless they're olympic sized :o (not literally, I just mean biiiiiig arenas!)

I feel very, VERY claustrophobic in them! I won't canter Moomin1's mare in her school because I feel so enclosed, and I won't jump Meg in my school because I feel I haven't got enough space to turn etc.
Out hacking isn't a problem!

I'm a funny onion, but feel better that I'm not alone!!
 
Yep, my boy tends to be little more on his toes in the arena as we have a busy bridle path on one side and the grass liveries bolting around the fields and people emptying onto the muck heap on the other (he was only ever worked by his previous owner in a quiet indoor). Lots of distractions for a young horse so it's a trial but he is getting better, slowly. Plus I can't it begin to fathom how I'm going to canter him as he tends to get up the long side in about three strides (no I'm not making that up, honest), so looks like lots of walk and trot for the time being until I can get him relaxed and more balanced. At the current rate I estimate it will take me about two years :(
Hacking out is the easy bit at the minute.
 
maisie06 said:
Normal outdoor school - tried again tonight just in case it was the weather last night, went in got about 20mins warm up then he started, spinning around and running off. All of my confidence has just gone now and I don't even want to ride him again. There will never be a horse quiet enough for me, I ruin them all by being so nervous. Time to hang up my boots for good I am beginning to think. I am meant to be doing dressage this weekend but I cant even see myself getting any where near the arena TBH.

It's a shame as he was a nice horse and I have just ruined him now.
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Maisie, don't give up. Your horse won't care if it misses out on a dressage comp - probably will give a sigh of relief.. Do not put pressure on yourself, hack out, ride in the field, do whatever you are comfortable with for a while. When you get your confidence back go for a nice relaxing ride then finish with 10mins in the school. Just 'play' in the school, ride the same as you do hacking and don't put pressure on yourselves. Eventually you will get there. Keep things fun, your horse is meant to be a fun hobbie.
My son has a new pony, had her a few weeks, rides happily in our large outdoor, took him for a lesson in an indoor and he totally fell apart (the pony was brill - no reason for it)! Back into our outdoor tonight and within 10 mins all great again and I couldn't get him off. Out for a hack tomorrow (weather permitting) he will get confident in the indoor eventually but for the meantime we will potter about outside playing ponyback chasies and having fun.

Good luck x
 
maisie06 said:
Normal outdoor school - tried again tonight just in case it was the weather last night, went in got about 20mins warm up then he started, spinning around and running off. All of my confidence has just gone now and I don't even want to ride him again. There will never be a horse quiet enough for me, I ruin them all by being so nervous. Time to hang up my boots for good I am beginning to think. I am meant to be doing dressage this weekend but I cant even see myself getting any where near the arena TBH.

It's a shame as he was a nice horse and I have just ruined him now.
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Don't say that. If you don't want to ride in the school then just don't - just hack if that is what you enjoy.

I would recommend TFT though, that might help you get over your fears.
 
like most things in riding, familiarity breeds confidence

to explain (hopefully)

at the end of every summer season, spent SJ in field
i used to come in for the winter and P**S myself at the thought of jumping in such a confined space
would never have time to land and turn, be sure to slam into arena fence esp on corners
total confidence attack

at the end of every winter season, spent SJ in schools
i used to P**S myself at thought of jumping in outside areana
would never be able to control the horse in such a huge space, be sure to bolt off with me, etc...

strangely enough I never actually collided with arena fence,
or got bolted with outdoors
and after a week or two of each i would think everything completely normal

never under estimate the power (both positive and negative) of the human mind......

so just persevere, stretch yourself, but don't push yourself
you'll get there
 
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