How to get riding confidence back on one horse

[Mary3050]

Hi guys ,
Advice need , I have posted before about my confidence before . But I need advice on how to start building it back up . The issue is only with one of my 3 horses . But I would say overall my riding confidence has gone I can ride the others but I am anxious .

However my youngest of the 3 is the main issue . We have had issues of him bolting off in canter about a year ago . This has now stopped but I haven’t regained my confidence after having an awful instructor/ YO that just shouted at me all the time and was basically a bully . I was happy just walking and trotting before Christmas. However the instructor was making things worse so I thought it best to stop riding that one as I needed her to take the fizz out of him before I got on .

So fast forward to now I have moved my horses to a new yard. They have been there 3 weeks now . Ones having time off at home . I ride my mare who’s coming back into work . I have been having the youngest schooled 4 times a week and then I lunge twice . The women who owns the yard does the lesson there she very good , knowledgeable and kind but she is expensive . I am currently anxious about getting on my youngest and I don’t know where to start . I don’t think I can have a lesson and just walk for an hour . I am also used to having him ridden before I get on .

What should I do ? How do I get back to feeling confident again with the youngest ? I feel that I can rebuild the trust but I just don’t know how to start . Any advice please !

 

[stormox]

To be honest, there is a LOT of excercises you can do at walk, and a lot of different types of walk. Your instructor may incorporate poles to go round and over.. you will be amazed at how much you can acheive with just 'an hours walking' .
Your instructor will realise when you are starting to get a bit more confidence and will start to introduce small bits of trot. You will soon feel your confidence returning.

 

[teach]

Equine consulting clinic on Facebook! Kerry is amazing. Best £45 I ever spent! She taught me the tools to control my fear!

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I got a bit like this with one of mine I had 2 lessons a week with her riding first, then tried to ride him every day but never on my own I just went in the school when someone I knew was in there, I only did 20 minutes some days some days I only walked and it really helped, I am now getting on him first in my lessons and am happy to canter him, I just plan everyday and do things I know won't fail, I am lucky in that I do have people that will walk on foot with me while I hack round the block.

 

[ArklePig]

I agree with stormox.

I had a fall 2 weeks ago and with a bulging disc in my back as a result all I can do at the minute is a walk with the pain. I was so so nervous but my instructor helped me get my confidence back through just lessons in walk. Lots of pole exercises, stop/start, different types of walk, circles, figures of 8 etc. It's not as boring as I thought it would be and it's got my confidence back as I know my horse is listening to me and I'm engaging my brain.

Lessons to get your confidence back are 100 percent worth it, in my opinion half if not more of the job of an instructor is instilling confidence. Good luck and I hope you get your mojo back.

 

[Spotherisk]

Is the young horse the right one for you? Do you see yourself overcoming the issues and having fun on this horse, or is it perhaps time to consider sales livery? I’ve been through crucifying confidence crises myself and have overcome it but I always knew the problem was me, not the horse.

 

[Mary3050]

To be honest, there is a LOT of excercises you can do at walk, and a lot of different types of walk. Your instructor may incorporate poles to go round and over.. you will be amazed at how much you can acheive with just 'an hours walking' .
Your instructor will realise when you are starting to get a bit more confidence and will start to introduce small bits of trot. You will soon feel your confidence returning.

Thank you that’s a good idea maybe some poles or dressage movements . I will start at the beginning and just hope that works . Maybe the best money I have spent !

 

[Mary3050]

I got a bit like this with one of mine I had 2 lessons a week with her riding first, then tried to ride him every day but never on my own I just went in the school when someone I knew was in there, I only did 20 minutes some days some days I only walked and it really helped, I am now getting on him first in my lessons and am happy to canter him, I just plan everyday and do things I know won't fail, I am lucky in that I do have people that will walk on foot with me while I hack round the block.

Thank you glad it worked for you I am going to speak to the new instructor and ask if I can book a lesson for just walk and work up from there . I will just do little bits hopefully

 

[Mary3050]

I agree with stormox.

I had a fall 2 weeks ago and with a bulging disc in my back as a result all I can do at the minute is a walk with the pain. I was so so nervous but my instructor helped me get my confidence back through just lessons in walk. Lots of pole exercises, stop/start, different types of walk, circles, figures of 8 etc. It's not as boring as I thought it would be and it's got my confidence back as I know my horse is listening to me and I'm engaging my brain.

Lessons to get your confidence back are 100 percent worth it, in my opinion half if not more of the job of an instructor is instilling confidence. Good luck and I hope you get your mojo back.

Thank you for reminding me that walk is a lot more than “just walk” . I think it’s because of the old instructor saying trot is not good enough it must be canter . I will speak to the new instructor and ask to make a plan of sorts .

 

[Mary3050]

Is the young horse the right one for you? Do you see yourself overcoming the issues and having fun on this horse, or is it perhaps time to consider sales livery? I’ve been through crucifying confidence crises myself and have overcome it but I always knew the problem was me, not the horse.

Yes I hope so as did everything with the horse ground work , first one to sit on him , ride him etc . But my health has deteriorated and so has my confidence. I just need to take my time . I don’t give up like that wouldn’t do my confidence any good to just sell him . That just proves I am not strong enough to get past this blip !

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Thank you glad it worked for you I am going to speak to the new instructor and ask if I can book a lesson for just walk and work up from there . I will just do little bits hopefully

I also looked at the equine consulting that someone mentioned it looks really good I might give it a go myself, I am much better but I really would like to get back to how I was.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

My instructor also gets me to ride him in the school when she rides one of hers or if her kids are riding, she doesn't charge me she just thinks it distracts you from thinking all sorts and you do feel better not being on your own.

 

[Jasper151]

I have had many lesson just at walk, when my confidence was completely bashed by a lunatic horse my instructor was the one who put me back together! I started off with half hour lessons, re-learning and fine tuning the basics and then gradually increased the lessons to an hour. I really enjoyed the walk lessons, and I was sore after as I realised how many bad habits I had picked up over the years so was working hard in the lessons. It also really helped my connection with my horse (not the lunatic - he got sent back!) as the lessons really helped me get in tune with her.