Jo Cooper/NLP/TFT

[Ginn]

OK, deep breath....

....I have developed a chronic fear of riding on grass. (Utterly pathetic, illogical and stupid I know! )

I have improved to the point that I *can* ride in our schooling paddock at home but the prospect of riding through an open field of any description terrifies the life out of me. I have just watched a vid of Henryhorns gorgeous William cantering round an XC course on FB and it has literally reduced me to tears. I so want to be able to do that, minus the jumps, but cannot see it ever being possible as the thought of doing it literally paralyses me with fear.

It is totally in my head and I cannot for the life of me work out the trigger.

I am wondering if someone like Jo Cooper may be able to help but money is very tight at the moment and I can't afford to through £150+ away on something which doesn't ultimately fix this.

Has anyone used her or these methods?
Did they work?
Were you someone for whom they didn't work?

Please don't point and laugh at me Getting over my fear of arenas (which did stem from genuine bad experiences) was hard enough but this is in a totally different league

 

[tigers_eye]

I have just used Jo to overcome a problem I was having at shows with lots of atmosphere in the show-jumping phase - see my Breda report which is a couple of pages back now for my experience. I think the NLP side helped me more than the TFT, but whichever it was I think going from 7 down to 2 down in 2 weeks means it definitely helped! Whilst a different kind of problem if you read through some of the testimonials on her website you'll see she's helped people with similar problems to yours. Good luck, feeling the spring in a nice horse's step when they get on old turf is one of the greatest in the world!

 

[algeredge]

I used Jo for some SJ problems. I'm not sure she helped me really because in the end it was a horse and rider combination problem not just a problem in my head. Now I have changed horses I am doing much better and the new one is giving me lots of confidence.

I would say that NLP is good if you are the sort of person who is better with pictures than words. They use a lot of "imagine this" "see yourself doing that" if that makes sense.

I saw a sports psychologist once who asked me what colour my front door was. I have lived here for 2 years and I couldn't remember! He told me then and there that NLP wouldnt work for me! I have to say that if I'm revising for a test or something I remember things better when I write them down so look at the words rather than drawing a picture of them.

The TFT helped a littel bit and Jo was really nice on the phone. I could call her any time I was having problems at no extra cost. It helps to bring down your heart rate as you concentrate on the tapping routine rather than what is scaring you.

To complete the set I also tried hypnotherapy (I hate to think how much I have spent in total!) but I dont think I really believed in it so it didnt work for me, again it was all about imagining things.

What worked for me the best was finding an good and understanding instructor. I am always better if someone tells me to do something I will, like now I am not so worried jumping 1m where as I wouldnt even attempt it before on my own at home.

There are lots of options (sorry to have gone on so long!) but it depends what sort of mind you have as to what will help. Mine was just getting on and doing it with lots of repetition in the end but it might help you.

 

[PapaFrita]

Hi, I used Jo for my fear of jumping. She was fabulous; very friendly, helpful and understanding. After the first session I had a noticeable improvement and after ironing out a few kinks with a second session, the change was dramatic and I won 4 comps on the trot. I was very sceptical myself, but would use her again absolutely no question.
I'm on her website

 

[A1fie]

I used her and wouldn't hesitate to recommend her. It is expensive but she will include more than one session in the price if you need more.

it was a wierd experience in that I didn't have an epiphany and all of a sudden was Ms Confidence! - it was more of a slow subtle process. I didn't fully understand it but my fear decreased every time I rode.

 

[KVH]

Jo Cooper is fantastic, I would thoroughly recommend.
Oh, and she will give you as many sessions as needed.

 

[kizzywiz]

I used Jo/TFT & thought it was helpful but expensive, she advertises as this fee covers any additional sessions, however when I called her for some follow up help before a show she never bothered to call me as promised so gave up.

I have also used sports psychology which sort of helped, but the thing which has really worked for me is NLP & wouldn't hesitate to recommend.

 

[Leg_end]

Yep I used her a fair few years ago after recommendations on here and would highly recommend her.

 

[Sandylou]

Agree with algeredge.
I used Jo and couldn't 100% hand on heart say that the 2 sessions I had cured my fears but it may have helped a little. I think for me it was mostly that I had an understanding person to listen and sympathise.
My improvements have come through a great friend, an understanding yet pushy instrucor and most of all a desire to get through it. I still have my wobbles but in those moments I don't tap, I take a moment to think of all the good times I've had with my nag!
Jo does offer a money back guarentee so may be worth a try although I wasn't offered my money back when I sent her a follow up e-mail to say that I had only improved slightly and I believed it wasn't thanks to TFT.
Good luck whatever you choose to do x

 

[Ginn]

Thanks all, definitely food for thought.

I totally agree that a good instructor is worth their weight in gold and this is how (both horse and I) have gone from having no confidence in an arena to having lots and not batting an eyelid if madam does have a moment - infact I now sit and giggle.

With the open space/field phobia though it is totally different and poor Till's has done nothing to trigger it nor does she react - the worst she'll do is nap to home/her mates and compared to what she can do (and I am more than confident managing in any other situation!) it is nothing!

I can honestly say its not her - it would be the same whatever horse I got on or if anything worse as I know T inside and out and know that even if she were to have a moment, it is nothing she hasn't done before and I have no issue with managing. I can't even pinpoint what it is about a field/open space that terrifies me. Hacking through woods (which incidently my sister won't join me hacking as she knows I put my foot down and don't bat an eyelid at obstacles in our path so its not a speed thing!), down busy roads, round the lanes, along the bridle paths etc I have no problem, until I hit a field.

Last time I tried riding her in a field (that wasn't the schooling paddock) I ended up having a complete panic attack, ended up hysterically hyperventilating and unable to move - madam just stood bless her and my Dad, after trying to calm me down and telling me just to walk her round with no success had to lift me off her. Can't say what the trigger was, Till's did absolutely nothing wrong, but I held my composure for all of 5 mins before it all fell apart completely. I know it sounds silly but an instructor won't be able to help until I am in a position just to ride into a field without being paralysed with fear!

I am prepared to spend the money *if* it works but for me that would mean going into an unfamiliar open field such as at an XC course and being able to canter round/through with confidence.

And it is such a huge thing to try and achieve I guess I am very sceptical as to whether it will work

 

[Tapir]

If you google EFT (emotion freedom technique) you can try the tapping thing out for yourself. You don't need any training as you can find the basic technique online. It can be used for all sorts of things and might be worth a try before you splash out.

I have a fear of horses falling, whether it's on slippery roads or tripping over stones and I found that while this hasn't cured me completely, and I still have the odd day where I get off and lead my horse in especially slippery/trippy places, I generally feel much better than I did.

 

[HBII]

This book is utterly brilliant

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Tapping-Healer-within-Instantly-Anxieties/dp/074992232X

Works for horse related issues, even helps with something that you know is irrational, I use it when I am stressed at work etc ...

 

[MDJO]

i'd be interested to know how you get on as i have exactly the same issue. I'd rather hack down the A1 than walk across 100yds of grass.