Desperate to ride but lost confidence

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ellis9905

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So I desperately want to ride again but have zero confidence :( after a long break having children all my confidence has gone away- for some reason I have convinced myself that any horse I ride would just take the mick and run away with me!! Totally irrational as I've never been bolted with!!

I'm getting sooo mad with myself as I used to ride lots, and would ride pretty much anything , anywhere :(

My 10 yr old daughter is pony mad, she has two ponies, which she shows and pony clubs... I spend my day looking after the ponies , horses are my passion and I'm sad that I've shut the riding part off.

I'd love to ride out with my friends at the yard , instead of watching them hack off down the lane, and I'd really love to ride out with my daughter.

So has anyone else managed to drag themselves from not riding to fully back in the saddle- if so how?

I'm considering hypnosis - can anyone recommend someone?

Or some really decent lessons with an instructor who knows how to help

I'm in northants but willing to travel a reasonable distance..I need to beat this- I don't wanna be still not riding in another 5 yrs time :(

Thanks
 
Look at the Holistic Riding Centre in Daventry also Ashen Equestrian Centre in Essex has a mechanical horse and biomechanics instructor which is a good way to understand the mechanics of a secure position.

Hypnotherapy can really help as you need to start positively visualizing a good ride, but it will will help if you have some confidence in your base skills first.
 
It might seem a bit off the wall, but there is a healthy western scene in the Northhants area. Western saddles are very deep and secure, and western horses are generally calm and well trained. Try Grange Farm Criollos in Leicestershire, or Oakridge Quarter Horses in Nottinghamshire. There are lots of others around.

I used to ride a lot as a child/teen, but had a 30 year break. When I started to dabble again I was much less confident, but discovered western, and I've never looked back.
 
have you thought about booking a few lessons at a riding school ? Speak to the Instructor and get a really safe, steady horse.... I promise you that the minute you sit on said horse, you will smile very broadly - go for it :D
 
I was going to suggest the Holistic Riding Centre too :)

I didn't know about the Crillo place in Leicestershire so I'm having a look at that myself to have a go at western riding
 
Just wondering if you've actually got on a horse recently or if you're not confident enoght to try. Reason I ask is I returned to riding after a very long break with career and children but miraculously the first time I got back on the time span just melted away and everything I needed to hack out leisurely and do the things I enjoy came back to me very instinctively. I'd just bite the bullet and hop on you may just surprise yourself :) Good luck.
 
If you are not too heavy couldn't you just throw a leg over one of your daughter's ponies to at least say you climbed back into the saddle?
 
Many thanks for the responses... I will look into the holistic center, unfortunately I'm too heavy for the kids ponies :(
I have ridden a few times over the last yr- but see the dangers in everything- scary thing in the bush that the pony hasn't noticed but i have!! The what ifs!!

I'm not sure which route to take ie more lessons at a decent riding school, to try alternative approach such as hypnosis, or just try and suck it up and get on a friends horse :(

I want a magic wand and get me back to what I was like 10yrs ago
:(

Just makes me so sad and mad with myself!
 
Have a look at the confident rider hypnosis CDs, they aren't too expensive and may be worth a try. Helped me with my jumping anxiety. You also need a confidence giving pony, what about a Highland?
 
I totally sympathise with this......I have just started riding again after a 35 year break! My new horse is very spooky and I am apprehensive but can cope, although it is not at all easy, but I am careful and I really do want to keep my confidence intact. I had a breakthrough moment today when I turned a massive spook into a well controlled 15m circle canter...........phew! Scary though.
If I was you I would find a lovely Mr Bombproof to ride and just get led around for a bit then think about the next stage.....probably Mr Bombproof in a safe school doing walk halt transitions. Do be kind to yourself and find a really safe conveyance to enjoy and progress safely with caution. Only do what you enjoy! Look after yourself and Good Luck.
 
cheeryplatypus said:
Have a look at the confident rider hypnosis CDs, they aren't too expensive and may be worth a try. Helped me with my jumping anxiety. You also need a confidence giving pony, what about a Highland?
Click to expand...


CDs are good, give the a try. There is also a company who specialise

http://www.heartofconfidence.co.uk/

Agree a nice native but don't be fooled they will have you on toast if you let them. My highland is lovely and I love him but he can be a darling...
 
I really feel for you...you are definitely not on your own for sure.
I'm having another crisis wobble myself at the moment but they do pass :)
I'm sure you will be so pleased with yourself once you get back on board :)
 
I too lost my confidence over the past few years - a year ago I just stopped putting pressure on me to ride and had a few months off , I restarted again by having a simulator lesson followed by a lunge lesson (plus a very good RI who was sympathetic to my needs) and just spent loads of time doing groundwork so I felt comfortable with me and my horse. Helping me with this , I used NLP and TFT , a lovely lady called Jo Cooper (website is www.equestrianconfidence.com) has been helping me , amazing how it works . Sometimes it is not always what you think maybe causing the lack of confidence . Give her a call just for a chat and you can explain how you are feeling.
Thoroughly recommend her (also being a rider herself she understands the needs for both you and the horse)
If you want any more info. just PM me :)
 
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