Mental Block - How do I get over this??

S

Shadowfox

New User
Joined
15 March 2009
Messages
5
Visit site
Apologies for making my first post such a downer but I'm hoping other people can give me some advice on how to deal with this.

About 2 weeks ago one of the school horses that I've ridden and competed previously loads of times threw me off in a lesson. No ones fault, he just spooked at something I think. Normally this doesn't bother me but since the incident when I've ridden him (last time this morning) I've literally shook and couldn't finish the lesson. What is so frustrating is that I honestly have'nt a clue how to get over this.

My instructor has said I'll be off him for the foreseeable future which is the right thing to do of course but in the long term the only way so far that I can see is for me to get back to feeling comfortable on him is to book a session of private lessons on him doing nothing but walk and some short trot. This I've pencilled in for the beginning of May hopefully.

I DO want to ride him again but its so frustrating trying to work through this. Its even more frustrating as the other school horse I ride would be more lively then then this chap but he does'nt bother me regardless of his antics.

Advice/hint/tips gratefully received
 
Hello and welcome.....be prepared to become addicted!
If i were in your situation i would just stick to your normal lessons on horses that you trust,and forget this horse for a while.
Once you feel confident on the other horses,then maybe book yourself in for some private lessons with this horse that has knocked your confidence.
 
I would stick to the other horses - you will start to trust them again and wen you feel comfortable get back on him. Dont leave it too long though to the point where you dont want to get back on him at all - even if it is just for a walk like you mentioned.
Good luck and I hope you get there - dont worry too much about it though - we all have set backs.
 
Personally I'd get back on him as soon as you can and not wait til May as that's quite a long time for any mental 'rubbish' to fester and build up and maybe make it more of an issue in your mind than it need be.

Could you perhaps have a lunge lesson for just 20 mins, then another one a couple of days later and gradually build your confidence up with this horse again. I honestly think it is just a question of confidence and when I've had that problem just making myself do it again and again is the best thing.
 
Having got back on him 3 times after the fall the only mental problem is how to settle my fear. I REALLY want to ride him again so NOT riding him isn't going to happen. The idea of lounge lessons though is very good and one I hadn't thought of. Thats something I'll chase. Leaving it until May unfortunately has to be done as work commitments mean I can't book a private any earlier then that.

My confidence has never been consistently strong. Often I've found it better to leave these kinds of situations for a while and come back to them once I've got it squared away in my mind.

Theres no question of me never riding this horse again. Its only a question of when
 
I would recommend some Rescue Remedy before you next ride him - put it in some water and swig away for about 24 hours beforehand - you will be surprised at how much it helps.
The other thing to do is to do some positive visualisation of you riding this horse. Picture yourself riding him positively going thorough different transitions/exercises etc with you in a good position etc and him responding to your aids. Run this through in your mind again and again until you next ride him. If you feel negative thoughts creeping in stop and start the image again. This way by the time you ride him you should have overcome your mental block as your mental pictures of you riding him are positive ones.

Good luck.
smile.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]

About 2 weeks ago one of the school horses that I've ridden and competed previously loads of times threw me off in a lesson. No ones fault, he just spooked at something I think.

[/ QUOTE ]

OK. He didn't throw you, you fell off, big difference. The best horse in the world will react if something makes them jump, what makes a good rider is staying with them when they react. You probably pay a fair bit for your lesson thinking that's for the teacher, consider what you pay to be for this horse. He's going to teach you to sit well and securely. He's worth more than what any teacher can tell you.

Why did you fall off? Were you tipping forward? Were your thighs not resting tightly against the saddle? Did you not anticipate the spook? Were your reins a bit long so he could shoot off in whatever direction suited? Whatever you did, change it, and things will be different next time you ride him.

Get on, clamp your legs on, ride forward and he'll know who's in charge. You can do it!!!
wink.gif
 
I have used Rescue Remedy in the past for lessons though on this occassion I hadn't. Future lessons I think with this lad I will.

Why did I fall off ??. The point about tipping forward could well have been a factor in it. When he spooked (unexpected as it was) I wasn't secure
blush.gif
. I've sat spooks before without problems but this time I MUST have been off balance. I tend to do that when I get tense.

For visualisation I do have one image that I go back to and is something to aim for. 12 months ago at our big yard show I was the first and only person to ride said horse and we got a double clear over 60cm.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top