Is it going to be ok??

[Kelly1982]

Brief history, had my mare nearly 7 years and not really ridden any other horses in this time apart from the odd ride now and then, brought a youngster to break and sell a few years back and he put me in hospital twice, 2 operations and 3 months Physio!!

My mare has had to be retired and I was given another youngster!!! He has been a complete star, plucked up the corouge to break him in myself with help of instructor. Had ridden him on the lunge about 4 or 5 times and all good. Then on the last lesson he went mad and bronced me off!! Since then I found out his pelvis was out so had this treated and saddle checked to make sure, all is fine.

So I decided i wasn't happy getting back on just yet and a friend has agreed to do all the ridden work while my feet stay firmly on the floor. Again he has been a star, a few issues but nothing major.

Problem is I honestly thought that seeing someone else ride him, and him being good would make me brave enough to get back on but it feels me with dred!!!

Everyone keeps saying I will be fine as I'm so confident on my mare but I know her inside out!! I really wanna be able to ride him as he is such a good horse and too good to give up on but right now I'm honestly petrified at the thought!! It's not him, it's def me and I dont know wot to do :0(

 

[be positive]

You sound as if you have had 2 bad experiences with young horses and no really good ones, I think for now let your friend ride until the horse is well established before trying yourself, if done properly he will become relaxed and ready for another rider.

In the meantime get some riding on different horses to build up your confidence and experience, taking on and backing youngsters is rewarding but needs a confident rider to do it well, being petrified will not help either of you.

If you feel you do not want to continue there is no shame in admitting it, get him going really well and find a new home for him, then you can buy an older horse to enjoy, life is too short to be in fear of what should be a fun hobby, the horse will not mind if you sell him, especially if he is well started he should find a good home.

 

[Sugar_and_Spice]

I agree ride some other horses to get used to strange ones. Then when you feel up to it ask around to find one that bucks with excitement then ride that. It's generally not as bad as one that bucks to get you off so would be a good stepping stone. Though if your youngsters back problem is gone there's no reason why he'd buck to get you off anyway.