Need Confidence!

Wooleysmum

Wooleysmum

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Went along new track today, by side of a field. Friend wanted to trot in the open field, I was too worried my boy might do something stupid so we walked. Got to go down there again tomorrow with her and she wants to speed things up and trot or canter on the grass. Help! need words of encouragement to give me courage!! Its me who is nervous, not my horse!
 
Don't do anything your not happy about if you are worried. Although sometimes you do need to push yourself a little.
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Don't be moved onto doing something you're not happy with.However, imagine how great you'll feel when you have had a trot! You should work out with your friend when you're going to stop, and ideally if you go in front then you won't have the worry of what if your horse wants to race the other...

I know exactly how you feel, i'm a bag of nerves too!
 
as others have said what is it you are worried about?If you are worried about your horse taking off then tbh if he was that way inclined then you would see signs of him wanting to go even while walking in a grass area.If he is jiggy and you feel he would take off why not get someone else to canter him along that spot and then to bring him back in a walk and do the same distance again in a walk just to see what happens.This may give you the confidence to go ahead at a faster pace or it may show you what you will be dealing with and help you decide if it is a good idea or not.I also suggest you go in front to set the speed and pace if you do go faster than a walk and make sure you are out with a horse who will not try and race you.
 
its horrid feeling like that and i feel for you, something you would normally do, would love to do and will lay in bed and wish you had done afterwards BUT you can only do what you feel is right at that time. maybe try tucking in between the hedge and your friend as a "safety zone" and do just a few strides at a time, beforehand perhaps walk and halt to ensure your horse is listening to you and that you are happy they will halt when asked or return to walk when asked? good luck and let us know, remember tho, relax and breath.
 
Fully understand where your at with this......do the speed your happy at,you might need to find someone who is not wanting to 'speed' up the hack,and will hack with you at your pace,untill your comfortable to move it up a gear! May I make a suggestion,why not try Equimins Rider Chill Out Calmer Capsules,use along with the Equimins Fluid,that you put on parts of the body....this really helped me,I was truly chilled,if you order it now will have it next day! I was never bothered by what I rode in my younger days,and no matter how good my horse is,I would build up alot of 'what if's' in my head......sad as you end up not enjoying your horse!Good Luck!
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I always feel braver on my own! This could be that everytime I come off and get hurt, I'm with at least one other person!

Do what you feel good with, I would echo the others, do a lot of walk trot transitions, it will keep you in control.
 
Had him 10 years! He has bolted a few times, not recently, I always fear the worst! He is better on his own. Thanks for tips though, will be very positive and we will be fine.
 
I know how you feel, I've just started riding what is meant to be my daughter's pony, but she won't even get on him now. He's an angel for me, I don't know what her problem is, even with nervous mum riding and coping and surviving(!) oh and the pony being really good for me, she still won't. Hadn't ridden for about 15 years and was frankly scared to in case I fell off and broke something, but I can't just leave him sitting in a field. I made myself canter him (only in the field mind) last sunday and I can't tell you how proud I was for actually being brave and doing it. Next time I'll do it out on a hack.

If he's better on his own, why don't you go on your own first and see what happens before you do it with someone else? Good luck, I know just how you feel, sometimes you just need to go for the all or nothing approach. I bet you'll be posting soon that you did it and he was an angel!
All the best
 
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