Confidence Issues - Does it affect women more than men??

[fine_and_dandy]

I don't know whether it is because us women appear to outnumber the men on the forum or whether we are a little more open about our worries etc but it occurred to me (being someone who has recently struggled with confidence) that women appear, on the face of it, to suffer more with nerves and confidence issues.

Do you think that is the case generally or because we are more open about our problems with riding? Are men just a little less affected by the types of things associated with a loss of confidence?

Will be curious to see the replies; it is something that I have thought about since beginning to conquer my nerves and I am interested to see what others think

 

[Lurky McLurker]

All the male riders I've ever met have been very gung-ho, get on and gallop off types... but we've only taught a handful of men at the RS so they might have just been the brave ones! It drives me mad, as someone who's struggled a LOT with nerves, that since I was a little girl I've adored horses and riding and shed so many tears standing on the mounting block afraid to get on, and my dad just hops on my horse and goes cantering off having not ridden since he was about 8! Men are infuriating...

 

[Hunter_Griff]

As a bloke - here's a clue - We're thick as two short planks.. so can't work out nerves and fear - that of course would require multi tasking and we cannot do that - instead our bodies pump bucket loads of testosterone through our arteries and we go into cave man mode.. no fear and no sense of fear - then jump on the beast and fire up and roar off... This of course transmits to the horse through the saddle and horse feels fine so shoots off...

Only when the horse is in full gallop and heading off to the horizon like a missile does the surge of hormone subside and fear and panic set in - but by then it is waaaaay to late...