huge nerves I'm an eejt!

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E13

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Has anyone else experienced this? It's a bit silly. But whenever I'm due to ride I get nervous - really really nervous. I get a bit anxious and need the loo (without TMI!)...but then as soon as I'm in the saddle I'm still a bit nervous but I feel at home.

I think I just feel like I can't do it, that I'm not good enough, can't canter etc. But at the same time I want to!

Bit of background: I started riding when I was 6 (I'm now 21) and have ridden on and off since then, but haven't ridden regularly in a few years. I helped at a couple of private yards a couple of years ago, and at one I lost my confidence by being expected to do things out of my comfort zone/things I'd never done before. To be fair I don't have the best balance at canter. And a slight fear of being run away with, not sure where that's come from. My family isn't horsey at all, but I put pressure on myself I think because I WANT to be good...?!
 
I have found that the best way to get rid of nerves is to build up lots of good experiences.

So make sure that you are riding ponies/horses that put you at ease as they are very well behaved and calm. Use riding instructors who are kind, understand that you have nerves and will help you to beat them. Maybe just concentrate on walk and trot for a little while as this will build good riding experiences. There is lots that you can work on in those paces. :) When you do canter, try to ride a horse who is easy to get into canter but also easy to pull up, as again you will be less nervous knowing that.
 
Know exactly how you feel hun.

i lost my mare last year and was like my confidence died with her.
I am 33 been riding and competing since 9 years old, am a qualified instructor yet when it came to getting on my new lad i was a quivering terrified wreck??
I would also need the loo and would physically shake but once on after first initial five mins i was fine, although when it came to cantering, jumping would still get scared!
Have had new lad a year now and i am finally getting there just need to conquer hacking by myself now lol.

I also felt pressure and wanted to be as good as i was with my mare. Just take one step at a time hun. Dont do anything till you are ready and find a nice confident person to support you.

I was lucky had my sister egging me on cos ahe knew i was capable.

Good luck:)
 
You're not an eejit!! It happens to lots of us. I found the best way to overcome my nerves was to find myself a good instructor and some nice sensible horses and take it calmly until one day it just all clicked back into place!

I sympathise on how annoying it is for you though, I was terrified of one horse and seemed to keep getting put back on him week after week because he was a "confidence giver" without any breaks, hmm.... All of a sudden I was paranoid about control and everything felt like it moved far to fast!

The most irritating thing for me was knowing that at one point I wouldn't have been remotely phased by him, but somehow even the sight of this horse turned me into a quivering wreck >.< It took plenty of time and lots of support, but I now have my own 'unstoppable' horse and couldn't be happier!

Best of luck, and I'm sure you'll be fine :D
 
Pegasa said:
You're not an eejit!! It happens to lots of us. I found the best way to overcome my nerves was to find myself a good instructor and some nice sensible horses and take it calmly until one day it just all clicked back into place!
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This is the best advice :)

When I was really young and started out riding I used to feel EXACTLY the same way as you do (most kids are fearless and bomb around over jumps on their ponies but that was never me haha!) but I think that over time this has lessened lots. It's a fear of the unknown, of what could (but probably won't happen) when you ride. Even when out on hacks today I still have those evil thoughts, not specific fears but more just a niggling, in the back of my mind. You just have to push them out and trust the horse. Don't entertain the possibilities of the horse running away or doing something daft, whenever you feel such a thought start to form just repeat to yourself, outloud if you want to even, "I am a calm, confident and competent horseperson and this will be fine." When my horse is being stupid I still find myself going down the road saying this to myself.

My mum used to say that the brave people aren't the fearless ones, they're the ones who feel the fear and do it anyway! Good on you for not giving up, never let your fear get the better of you, have faith in yourself and your horse and always look on the bright side.

Best of luck!!!
 
Hello, I was a returner 10 years ago having ridden as a child then had a 15 year break. I was petrified for weeks, then I asked could I ride a pony as that's what i was used to before I gave up. I also joined the teens lesson instead of the serious dressage mob I'd been lumped with. It was a revolution for me, relaxed kids out for a laugh riding without stirrups and generally enjoying it and it all came back! I would recommend trying to have some fun, don't worry about position too much and just give it a go.


I now have my own 14.3 section d who is challenging at times by I hack alone and even had a gallop out today alone, she is spooky but her brakes are fab hence no worries about speed, this gives a lot of confidence as I have to be brave enough for both of us, being nervous on board would make her nervous,
so I have to conquer that and I know I can stop her when I need/want to.
 
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