Do you ever get scared.......

Grumpy Herbert

Grumpy Herbert

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....if/when your horse p*sses about? If you do, what do you do to overcome your fear? If you don't, why not?

I ask because yesterday I hacked my horrid gelding out on his own (first time in two years alone) and he was a pain. He added napping to his repertoire of bad behaviour - he yelled for the other horses, started backing up and trying to whip round. I gave him a good boot and got him to carry on, but he was tense and spooky. I did not like this at all, and quite honestly I felt a bit scared.
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So, what's your advice/experience?
 
Felt that like alot, just have to tell myself that I am being stupid and that horse will get over it. Had a very nappy horse once who would canter, do small rears and anything he could to catch up to anyone who dare ride in front of us (ie had turned onto road in front or something). I think you have to not worry as it only makes them much worse.

If you can wear (I hate to say it) draw reins (or something that will control behaviour) when hacking by yourself you will feel more confident. My horse can spin-rear kind of thing when by himself, and if he does it I ride the next few times in draw reins so that he learns that this behaviour will not be tolerated from him. Sounds harsh, but gets rid of the panic, and associated shouting, kicking whatever that could go along with it. Mine gets worse the less he is ridden alone, so seems the only way round is to ride more hacks by myself. (sister has had to dismount on a couple of rides due to him not going forwards)

Good luck, but when hacking alone, preparation, and perserverance are really important
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I think everyone can feel like this sometimes, if i had a horse behave as yours did, i would lunge it well then take it out in company and most importantly start to get it in a good routine, the only trouble is, is when you are nervous it is very easy to back off a horse, and it is then it becomes a situation of the 'horse riding you' you have to be positive, if he is being nappy on his own, it might be an idea for you to get a more experienced rider on him a few times, so he doesnt win. When i feel scared i have always been persistant, because generally it is mind over matter, and if you keep on at them they behave in the end.
 
Im quite often scared when riding Arch, but thats coz he's mad and Ive had some really bad falls from him.

Dont really know how I over come it, I just do. I wont sell him or part with him in any way, so I just have to get on with it.
 
Yes, I've been scared on Ronnie twice. Funnily enough I've treated both him and I the same - concentrate hard on doing lots ie. transitions circles changes of rein - constantly doing something. Me concentrating on that helps take my mind off my fear, and him concentrating helps take his mind off being an idiot.

Sorry I have no better suggestions. The main thing is to be safe. If you're feeling fear there's probably a very good reason for it, so just be careful and acknowledge that your brain is trying to be helpful. Sometimes it's too helpful though, and without the fear we'd be ok. Only your conscious can make that decision
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Yep my mare has been known to nap when she doesn't wanna do something and it can be absolutely terrifying as well as downright dangerous. I tend to just try and focus on taking deep breaths and getting her to walk on calmly. It used to take a 15 minute battle to get her to behave but now it tends to be less than a minute. I also find singing out loud helps to relax me when she's pratting about, although it can be a tad embarassing if you're caught! lol
 
I was scared on my youngster quite a lot, someone told me to ride with a neck strap - an old stirrup leather does the job nicely - so that you have something else to grab onto if they do go up / spin round and it worked wonders, just gives you that bit of added security and stops you jabbing at their mouth which can make it worse.

Also I found counting in time with her hooves / singing out loud helped when I was on my own - be prepared for A LOT of very odd looks - it keeps your breathing even which keeps you calm and also provides a good distraction for them.

Other than that persistance really is the best thing, the more you can ride on your own the better they'll be and the calmer you'll feel, don't give up!
 
I think there are a lot of us out there who feel scared/nervous sometimes when a horse is t*tting about. It has taken me a little while but when mine starts, I know that if I tense up and get nervous, it will only make him worse so I have to make myself relax my upper body and not hold onto his head, just keep my leg on and keep him going forward. It's a constant voice in my head saying 'relax upper body'. My friend at the yard gets very nervous and I can often hear her singing which also helps some people I think. That I find also relaxes me because she's funny!

Is your horse better behaved when hacking out with company? Perhaps you could do a bit more of this and wean him off gradually with perhaps a human companion walking with you to give you both some confidence.
 
Oh, he didn't win - I made him carry on and then we went back and did a bit of schooling!!
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And it'll be more of the same tonight!

I just would like to know what makes some people fearless when it comes to horses and riding - I wish I could be a bit more like that.
 
When I was scared on my nutcase youngster, or on Cat who was a spooky spinner, I used a neckstrap & I also used to pretend that I was Mark Todd or some other rider who's a lot better/more confident than me & who wouldn't give a cr*p about a bit of silly behaviour. Sounds stupid, but it worked for me.
 
Yes I have been (and still am) nervous hacking out my horse, but the only way round it is to persevere. I go on routes that he is familiar with so I know he has no excuse to be naughty, and I do find that singing helps (although why I was singing 'Manhunt' from Flashdance I have no idea - v embarrassing
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). It seems to happen to most people at some stage. In answer to your question as to why some people dont get scared - I think its because they never imagine bad things happening, or run through the 'what if' scenarios in their mind. I have a friend who is very confident, and if I say to her 'but arent you worried that x might happen', or 'what if y happens', she always looks at me in amazement and says 'but why would it' ??? There is a lot of truth in the saying that it takes far more courage to make yourself do something you are afraid of
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I try and relax myself and often hum or sing a song to. Seems to help a bit.
Am also trying to develope my YO's pattented whistle which calms my horse down beautifully.

For next time in your scenario I'd try changing something to give me more confidence , say have my stirrups a hole shorter and add a running martigale or grab strap.

I might also plan my next solo hack for good weather and at a quiet time of day.

AS we all know though repetition is usually what gets horses to behave so you have to keep trying.

Perhaps a dose of calmer before the next hack to?


Can you tell I'm a total wimp
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I hum or talk to my horse, or i i decide im some very confident rider and just think 'get on with it'

I took my very unfit, young, new horse out today and she was very much on her toes- i only walked, nothing else but i was tense i have to admit.
 
Yes but I think my horse is possessed. I sent her away for rehab and even though she seems pretty un-fixable, very confident eventer bloke got her doing stuff anyway and then helped me learn to work with the dangerous behaviour. I'll be going back there after the next time she has a particularly crazy episode and I'm in A & E again.
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