Hi, I'm new and I have a problem...

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samsam

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Hi everyone, I've been browsing the forums for a while now but haven't got round to posting!

You all seem like lovely helpful people so I wondered if you could give me some advice?

I've started riding for someone to help get their horse fitter. Trouble is I came off the other week (angry dog incident) and now I've lost some confidence. The horse is wonderful, but he's only 4 and needs someone who is confident enough to handle his 'baby' moments. I'm usually ok with that but this fall has made me quite nervous, especially hacking alone (which I have been doing). There is noone else I can hack with.

I haven't ridden him since my fall due to injuries. As I've said, the horse is great but I just don't think I'm the right person to take him on any more - I'm worried my nerves will affect him and don't want to ruin him as he's only a youngster. I really don't want to waste his owners time.

What would you do?
 
Hi and welcome to the forum!!!

Falling off and not being able to get straight back on due to injuries is bound to affect anyone's confidence. Is there anywhere safe, i.e. school or small paddock, you can get back on and see how you feel? If you feel OK you can build up to more difficult things like hacking alone. If you still feel unhappy then I think you are right there is no point scaring yourself or the horse - riding is supposed to be fun!
 
howdy! i would have a word with the owner...could be there is something you could work on together to help get your confidence back...maybe some lessons on him or finding you a hacking buddy...if not then just explain why you don't want to ride him anymore...FWIW i have a 4 year old and i don't hack alone on him so can understand your concerns!
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Chat to his owner about it and be honest, say that you don't want you are a bit shaken up and don't want your nerves affecting him. Would the owner or someone else be able to walk/cycle with you. I have known several horses who stay more relaxed even if you have a person there and it will give you someone to talk to and stop you over concentrating on just him.

If needs be if you are really nervous could the owner lunge you on him?

I am sure if the owner is appreciating your help with regards to keeping him fit and is happy with you riding him then they will be happy to help you through this understandable blip.

edited to add: and welcome to the forum!
 
Could the owner/someone else you & the horse trust walk out with you the first time you get back on? If you're normally fine but have been shaken up by being injured you might find you're Ok once back in the saddle.

You can also try visualising everything going well the day/morning before you go, doing some exercise to relax yourself and smiling or singing lots!

Oh, and welcome
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Thanks for all the replies!
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Theres no school, but the top paddock is sometimes used to pootle about in. I have lunged him in there since but not got on him. I've told her I'm nervous but I don't think she knows how much!

I don't know many people locally (and those I do are all at work when I ride) so would have to draft a friend in to come with me, she lives an hour away so wouln't want to come down every time I ride, bless her!

What safety kind of things do you guys do when you're hacking alone? Mobile phone is a given.. anything else?
 
I wear a back protector when hacking, and have Barnes Buckle safety stirrups which break away if you fall off. Someone always knows where I've gone and when I'll be back (just text my husband usually). My horse was 5 when I got him and very "jumpy" when unexpected things happened (pigeons were a favourite, and men with strimmers behind garden walls), and he wasn't averse to trying to whip round and going home. I had a repertoire of songs and nursery rhymes which were sung very loudly during anxious moments! I also find I have days when I am braver, and I make the most of them and go further afield, but other days I just take him around the lanes or on the school. I've had him 18 months now and he's much better, we are growing in confidence together and rarely have any problems but it has been quite a long struggle. There are still occasions (very rarely) when I get of and lead him past things, I would rather he walked passed with a confident handler on the ground than dug his toes in with a nervous rider on top! I think I might had found it more difficult if it wasn' t my own horse and didn't have the long term goal to work towards. I also had a friend who is very confident who helped by hacking him out occasionally, so he wasn't always getting anxious messages from me. Good luck
 
Hi & welcome!
Have you a parent/friend/OH who could come out on a mountain bike with you? When i had a young horse, mum, dad or OH would come out on bike with polo's & be there just in case. It helped me as there weren't many people with sensible horses that could hack out with me.
 
Well, after all your brill suggestions and encouragement I was raring to go and get back on!

However my problem has now been given the most pants solution ever. After an appointment with my chiropractor this afternoon she has recommended that when I do ride again I should only go for 10 minutes maximum so as not to damage myself further. So I've had to let the horses owner know that. Obviously 10 minutes a day is no good to get the horse fit and out and about so she'll have to get someone else to ride him
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To say I'm disappointed is an understatement...
 
10 minutes a day is better than 0 minutes surely? How long did he say to stick at 10 minutes? Any chance that you can build up from the 10 minutes ?

Sending confidence and healing<<<vibes>>>
 
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