Confidence issues...

M

MrsMagoo

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I really need to get over my fear of cantering in open spaces etc as would love to enjoy our hacks and so soem XC etc but since my fall the other year im useless lol...the problem being that Star can be quite sharp and spook in a milli second lol, which is what happened last time....soooo....how can i overcome this? Anyone else have horses like this and how do you cope?

Is it the case of keeping them in hard work to keep the mind occupied...her old owner (3 yrs ago) used to work her an hour a night, plus 2hour hacks at weekend and jumping each week (1 day of) and she didnt used to have a problem (apart from when she was young). Is it now that she's used to that work and gets naughty if not???
 
I had this problem after Arch got me off during a bronking fit in a field and I landed on my head!

It took ages for me to even ride through an open field, let alone canter through one.
It just takes time and you cant rush yourself.
 
I know exactly what you mean. My mare is not really strong, but she spins and drops her shoulder.
crazy.gif
Her workload is pretty much like Star's was with her old owner. How much work do you give her? Do you have someone sensible that you can go with? I always hack in my jumping saddle as I find that helps. TBH she has got lots better over recent years, but she still likes to suprise me now and then.
 
Hey...yeh she's good at dropping a shoulder etc. Must admit that her workload is nothing like that at the moment due to various things and me having a bad back. Im just getting back into it now and trying to school some nights, plus some lunging and hack at the weekend, plus clinics etc but i never ride for like an hour a night, just find that excessive lol...

I may try and lunge quickly in the mornings a few days then school aswell in the evening, up her work slightly. I mean she is only fed horse/pony nuts with a joint supplement, so not like she's over fed lol
 
What are you like cantering in open spaces on other horses rather than star?

When I lost my confidence I found galloping my guaranteed steady neddy really helped me when it came to getting over my fear.
I'm still wobbly at times, but can now gallop across the moors in a group without getting sick to my stomach.
I also sold the crazy horse which caused me to lose my confidence in the first place, but that doesn't help you much
crazy.gif
 
Dont know, havnt had the chance to canter anyone elses out...

Tempi - yeh i know and you'd think that would be the case, but prior years when we were competing more and she was fitter i do think she was better behaved...think i just need a kick up the arse lol
 
Cat was a spooky spinner & could be v sharp, & I used to lunge before riding if I thought he was going to be a pain.

Also if I was planning on cantering from A to B, I'd really focus on B rather than on the scenery en route if you see what I mean. So I'd be focussing on getting to my 'destination' rather than all the things that could happen before I got there.

Hope that helps.

T x
 
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But remember the more you work her, the fitter she will get, and the sharper she will get.......

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Not necessarily, IMO - some horses I know, including mine, just settle with more work and are more chilled. Not sure how it works - but it just does for some!
 
Have found same as Truffles that some horses can be more chilled once they have a good outlet for their energy - mine is better with more work not less. Also agree with what catembi says keep looking straight ahead - if you look at something they may spook at they won't disappoint!!!
 
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