dont know what to do...

E

ellasmith94

Well-Known Member
Joined
19 September 2009
Messages
118
Visit site
I had a welsh sec D, basically he bolted, spooked and raced a fence, he knocked my confidence badly and eventually sold him. i now have a TB X ID and hes a babe, but i still have the worrys that he will bolted when a car goes past the school or he will bomb at a fence or just generally misbehave even tho i know he wont do it it stills goes through my head and im scard to proper work him. ill sit on him walk or trot and be off in no longer than 10 mins and its down to my stupid fear. any advice?
 
ive had Jet (ID X TB) for nearly a week now. been riding since i was little but been on riding school ponies and the welsh was my first horse. Im 15 but 5"10. yes i do ride alone
 
I would have some lessons with a good instructor and they will have you concentrating so much that you won’t even notice a car going past let alone have time to worry about it.

My lad spooks but if i don’t see things he doesn’t either, which just proves that it is me tensing that makes him spook.

Good luck you will be fine, you obviously have a good horse.
 
Give yourself some time, it's a big thing restoring your confidence, and it won't happen overnight, so be kind to yourself.
If you can get someone to be there with you, do, and if you can't, try singing! Honest!
Also, do things like bending between trotting poles, making different shapes, seeing how much you can make him turn/speed up/slow down etc. without using the reins (any more than you have to!) Anything so you're thinking about what you're doing, and not what he might be about to do - but probably isn't!
Good luck and above all, learn to relax and enjoy your horse again.
 
I agree with BFG, getting some lessons with a good instructor is a good idea. My confidence took a knock a while back and having a confident professional in the arena with me made me feel safer, even just on a psychological level. As your listening to the instructor you will have less time to worry because you need to concentrate on the teachers orders. He/she will also probably give you homework to do, which will give you a focus when riding without the instructor there. All the best
grin.gif
 
If you can try to have somebody with you or around when you are riding just to give you the peace of mind that if anything happens you won't be alone. Over the past year I have been battling with my nerves and confidence and only this week I have really turned a corner. Get yourslef a good instructor and have lessons as often as you can/afford. When riding without an instructor constantly be asking something of you horse, eg. bending, change of rein, changing gate, trotting poles, anything that gets him focused and you too! If you are always asking something of him he wont have time to thing about spooking or bolting. As hard as it is make yourself ride EVERYDAY! This is what I did when I got my horse and it really worked well. Not only does it help you to build up your confidence but it also means he is worked everyday and doesn't have time to get fresh and silly. As somebody above has mentioned try singing! My lad takes a lot of comfort in hearing my voice so I will talk random rubbish to him or sing trying to incorporate him name into it so he knows Im talking to him
wink.gif
lol. This morning I think it was 10 red Gilbys standing in a field (my version of 10 green bottles lol). Other things that help are deep breathing and having a plan in your head of what you are going to do and try your best not to get nervous as the horse will pick up on this. Just keep going and you'll be fine
smile.gif
 
i have a good instructer i just have her once a week, maybe have more more often would help yes. my mum is sometimes there but its me on the horse so i feel that if he does something its my fault when im just in walk sitting there. the other day a couple of girls ran past the school squealing and giggling (im at a livery yard) and he did a big leap in the air, it was nothing, he didnt run off or anything i was just like OH MY GOD and i hate feeling this way. i know it wont go over night but i wish it would !! haha
 
It would be a very good idea to increase the frequency of your lessons if you can. Could your instructor hack out with you?

It is early days so give yourself a little time and take things steady.
 
Find a friend on a similar horse and go out. Nothing builds confidence like hacking I find! I was mortified of mine but somehow got roped in to take him on a 3 day ride... Best thing we ever did! Came back as a perfect little team
 
I thnk you have to look at it from another angle, you need to be able to learn how to deal and over come the situation if it ever arises again, there is always a chance any horse will spook and take flight if something really does startle it and you will find yourself waiting for it to happen and then when it does, you'll loose your confidence in the next horse, basically all I'm saying is try to conquer your fears, have some lessons and learn how to deal with it, if it did happen so then its not such a big thing to you, after all, you have to look at it in a positive way, at least you are in the school, so really your in safe surroundings, on a soft surface and your horse can't get anywhere should you take a tumble....which you wont! but do you see what I'm trying to say?

I think then you will feel much better and in control.
smile.gif
 
I agree to getting more frequent lessons, agree that hacking builds confidence, and singing really helps as you stop concentrating on what your horse might do.

I struggle with confidence so I totally see where you're coming from. Remember too though - when he leapt the other day, you stayed on so chances are, if he does bolt or spook, you'll be able to go with him and control him.

You haven't had him long so give it time and as you get to know him and his personality you'll naturally start to feel more confident with him, just don't rush and don't beat yourself up for feeling nervous, it's natural, especially with a new horse and when you've had your confidence knocked in the past
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top