Jumping jitters!

[AnnaPK]

Hello beautiful people,
Last july I had depression due to a severe bulling case which lead me to be unable to function for a number of months. I would ride my horse but I was in too much of a state to jump at the time as I had only had him since March that year. Once medicated I went to my first nd second competition ( dressage ) I really enjoyed this and got allot of confidence from it. Then i went on to do a clear round at a local venue bear in mind they are super chillaxed and I allways said when i wanted to jump again thats where i would do it - I came off and I dont think I have jumped higher than 80 since ( I will literally avoid it at all costs )

HOWEVER

My horse LOVES jumping although he isnt tremendously honest ( somethings thats better anyway! ) and I made the jump ( im 6ft ) from a 14.1 new Forrest pony to my 16.3hh horse! I love hi to bits and peices and have worked on my flat work for ages since my last fall.
I also used to love love love jumping - I would jump any horse anywhere at any hight but that change from 14.1hh to 16.3hh mean I just cannot see a distance or a stride even with a placing pole there. I never feel like my jumping “flows” the way it used too and I thought this was because we needed to do more flat work but I am definitely established enough to jump again I just need the confidence!
My question is HOW?!?!
I dont really have a trainer I feel wouldn’t push me too far which is why I haven't turned to them as Im still fragile post depression.
Has anyone experienced a confidence knock like this?
How did you get through it?

 

[Ample Prosecco]

Well done for coming as far as you have. You have lots of options and honestly people can progress remarkably quickly with the right support. It’s not a riding problem, it’s an accessing the skills you already have problem. It’s your mind not your riding ability, so more riding lessons focused on riding skills are not the best answer.

Various options I’d suggest: Find an instructor who specialises in confidence and make sure it’s a private lesson. And make sure they really DO specialise in confidence - Ie they are sport psychology or hypnotherapy trained. (A local trainer offers ‘nervous and novice’ lessons but all that means is getting a shot of booze before the lesson!) Or find a weekend course/camp also focused on confidence. Or find a confidence coach willing to help you off-horse while you carry on with the most approachable and supportive RI you have.

Good luck!

 

[Ample Prosecco]

Has anyone experienced a confidence knock like this?
How did you get through it?

Oh and to respond to this - yes. I had a phobic fear of jumping after a rotational fall. At my worst I could not even look at a jump at any height without shaking and feeling sick.

I’m now jumping as confidently as I ever have in my life. It was mindset work not riding lessons that made (and continue to make) the difference.

 

[lauragreen85]

Hello beautiful people,
Last july I had depression due to a severe bulling case which lead me to be unable to function for a number of months. I would ride my horse but I was in too much of a state to jump at the time as I had only had him since March that year. Once medicated I went to my first nd second competition ( dressage ) I really enjoyed this and got allot of confidence from it. Then i went on to do a clear round at a local venue bear in mind they are super chillaxed and I allways said when i wanted to jump again thats where i would do it - I came off and I dont think I have jumped higher than 80 since ( I will literally avoid it at all costs )

HOWEVER

My horse LOVES jumping although he isnt tremendously honest ( somethings thats better anyway! ) and I made the jump ( im 6ft ) from a 14.1 new Forrest pony to my 16.3hh horse! I love hi to bits and peices and have worked on my flat work for ages since my last fall.
I also used to love love love jumping - I would jump any horse anywhere at any hight but that change from 14.1hh to 16.3hh mean I just cannot see a distance or a stride even with a placing pole there. I never feel like my jumping “flows” the way it used too and I thought this was because we needed to do more flat work but I am definitely established enough to jump again I just need the confidence!
My question is HOW?!?!
I dont really have a trainer I feel wouldn’t push me too far which is why I haven't turned to them as Im still fragile post depression.
Has anyone experienced a confidence knock like this?
How did you get through it?

Definitely consider a trainer, I find it so much fun, you can go to someone understanding

 

[Identityincrisis]

And don’t forget, it’s the horse’s job to jump the jump, my instructors always say, as long as you present the horse well (off a good corner and straight) the horse will take off at the correct spot, you don’t need to tell him to! I always liken it to us walking up and down curbs, you don’t need someone to tell you your stride length or take off point, your brain subconsciously does all that for you. He may get a little deep or a little flier BUT if you’re sitting nice and balanced and not ahead of the movement, just fold forward on take off and job done but i DO understand the nerves!!

 

[Annagain]

I've been in a similar position, still am a little bit although I'm a lot better than I was. The right instructor makes a world of difference. Riding with her gives me confidence because when she pushes me, she pushes me really gently so I barely notice it. If I'm ever worried about a fence I'd think "well S thinks I can do it and she would never make me do something I couldn't do so I must be up to it". It helps so much. She also always asks at the end if I want to jump a couple of bigger fences. Sometimes I say yes and sometimes no thankyou but it always makes me feel good that it's an option!

The big thing for me is that I need to do it regularly - at least once a fortnight to keep my confidence up. As soon as I have a break from jumping, the rot sets back in. My instructor is from further afield so I can only ride with her about once a month when she comes to teach a clinic in my area but I make sure I do some sort of jumping in between.

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

Hello beautiful people,
Last july I had depression due to a severe bulling case which lead me to be unable to function for a number of months. I would ride my horse but I was in too much of a state to jump at the time as I had only had him since March that year. Once medicated I went to my first nd second competition ( dressage ) I really enjoyed this and got allot of confidence from it. Then i went on to do a clear round at a local venue bear in mind they are super chillaxed and I allways said when i wanted to jump again thats where i would do it - I came off and I dont think I have jumped higher than 80 since ( I will literally avoid it at all costs )

HOWEVER

My horse LOVES jumping although he isnt tremendously honest ( somethings thats better anyway! ) and I made the jump ( im 6ft ) from a 14.1 new Forrest pony to my 16.3hh horse! I love hi to bits and peices and have worked on my flat work for ages since my last fall.
I also used to love love love jumping - I would jump any horse anywhere at any hight but that change from 14.1hh to 16.3hh mean I just cannot see a distance or a stride even with a placing pole there. I never feel like my jumping “flows” the way it used too and I thought this was because we needed to do more flat work but I am definitely established enough to jump again I just need the confidence!
My question is HOW?!?!
I dont really have a trainer I feel wouldn’t push me too far which is why I haven't turned to them as Im still fragile post depression.
Has anyone experienced a confidence knock like this?
How did you get through it?

I take cbd oil sometimes to get the jitters out the way.