Nerves re. sponsored ride, help?

J

Joya

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Hopefully if nothing goes wrong (which is quite likely looking at my track run) I will be going on Hatfield sponsored ride on Sunday.
I took Gem out for a hack with my friend today and she was a real handful, she just wanted to GO, which is nothing different with Gem, but I know she will most probably be 100x worse on the sponsored ride.
I know I should be expecting this, but I want to do it, I really do. For once I have transport and I don't want to back out.
What I am asking, is; does anyone have any tips or ideas I could use to keep both of us a bit more calm? Rescue remedy has never really worked on me...
Also, what should I be expecting?
Should I just not bother going, do you think I will be a bit of a pain to other riders if I am nervous...
Sorry, thankyou.
 
I took my boy on his first sponsored ride last year and we ended up doing quite a few. I'll admit I was completely terrified beforehand as he's very strong. My friend also had concerns as her mare is a TB who always HAS to be in front.

Are you riding on your own or with company? If we are going to be overtaken by other horses my friends and I (3 of us) put our horses mine at the back - friends cob in middle - TB at the front. The reason being that cob will rush forward if another horse comes up behind him and mine if at the front would try to run off to keep up with those who had gone passed. We also sometimes at the start will pull off if poss and have a little "detour" whilst people go passed until they are out of sight then we turn back onto the marked route.

Don't be afraid to ask people to go past slowly - ie you stop and they walk passed or ask them to trot passed slowly (and vice versa if coming up behind someone check they are ok for you to overtake and try to keep going in say trot until you are well clear of them)

Also if you have particular worries ie being overtaken then try to start near the end.

I think you should def go. I have come across loads of different people on rides - proper endurance riders whose horses are wonderfully calm to people with youngsters whose horses were a handful - never had a problem. We've even had lone riders join us part way round a ride as we just got chatting...

You know your horse and how she best reacts so don't be afraid to ask other people to be patient with you. You will both have a great time.
 
You could try valerian for your horse and Kalms for you. Both work for me and my lad!

I'm sure it'll be fine and you'll have a lovely time! I know exactly how you feel - I feel the same way and it's stopped me doing loads of things with my horses, which is upsetting.

Have fun!
 
I would try and set off at a quiet time if that's possible. I once went on a pleasure ride and set off at the same time as most other riders and I could hardly describe it as a "pleasure ride"! My normally sane horse pulled my arms out as he wanted to catch up with the many horses in front and tried to race with the ones who were overtaking! I went on exactly to same ride a few years later and set off at the latest possible time and it was completely different, hardly any horses and was a relaxed ride where I could go at whatever pace I wanted.
I hope this hasn't put you off but if you go when it's fairly quiet I'm sure you'll be fine.
 
Thankyou very much, I think I will go as late as possible, as she is difficult to load anyway so I doubt we will get there early.
What exactly is Valerian? I don't think I've heard of that before.
Thankyou everyone, you've made me feel a lot better, as this morning I had pretty much decided I wasn't going...
 
My lad and I are doing our first ride in May and I am already bricking it. My lad is very strong and jogs for england....I am going for the latest time and hoping that doing most of the jumps will tire him out.
 
I have done the Hatfield House ride (about 2 years ago), we were the first on the course and did plenty of trotting and cantering so no-one cuaght us up. We had a fab time and although Springy was a bit fresh at the start she settled down and she really enjoyed it. My advice is to set off as early or late as possible and if the course is similar to when I went there is a good long bridleway that goes up hill, we trotted and cantered all the way up to get some of the bounce out of them, then the horses settled and we could relax and enjoy it.
 
I think you should definitely go and give it a try, you will regret it if you dont. Try and keep a low profile and you should be fine
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you WILL go on that ride, even if I have to come up to Hertfordshire and beat you.
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You won't be a pain for the others - it's a sponsored ride, they've got to expect that some horses aren't perfect when there are lots of other horses around.

Once you set off, you'll be fine. When I did my first one, I was actually terrified. But once you've got that first lively trot out of the way, you will have a blast.

Seriously, have tons of fun - you both deserve it
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Other than rescue remedy, a swig of whisky?
 
I'm struggling with nerves myself at the moment. I've bought some "Equimins Chill Out Rider Calmer Capsules" they are actually Magnesium and vitamin B6, if you look these up you will see that they are often used for anxiety - next time I will just go to the healthfood shop and buy some Magnesium/B6 tablets without the "name", anything with horse in the title is usually double the price. It's early days but I do think they are helping. The other thing I have done recently is been to a workshop with a hypnotherapist/life coach, and learned a little about positive thinking - very trendy at the moment but very hard to actually do - but it does help. So rather than thinking about what you DON'T want to happen (i.e. "I don't want my horse to get excited) focus on what you DO want to happen (I want to enjoy myself!). Good luck!
 
That's definately a sign that you should go then!
Agree with the others that you should try to avoid the crowds. I'm sure you'll have a great time.
 
I know exactly how you feel! I was petrified going on my first one all those years ago. I was just so scared of my ponies reaction.

My advice is to definitelty go, you'll love it and go as late as possible, around here everyone goes early. At 2pm there's not many around. Also if she is very forward going, I know it's hard, but don't stick to trot let her have a blast or 2, up a hill if possible. I've seen far too many people try and hold their horse back and it doesn't work. Think forwards!

Good Luck, and remember have fun, I'm sure you will!
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Im due to go on a Pub Ride in North Yorkshire on the 15th April and yes im bricking it however im going with some fab and very support and considerate friends. We have had a few trial rides with a number of horses just to see how Minnie would react and yes she got quite strong and fast (I could not lift my shoulders the following day!), so by doing that it help me choose a stronger bit to ensure that if she ever did take off I would have brakes.

Even thought Im anxious about it im really looking forward to it.
 
Yeah, holding her in trot is never a good idea as it winds her up so much her knees are almost going up my nostrils lol! Thanks everyonem I am looking forward to it...if feeling a little bit sick lol
 
Ohh there's something I was going to ask! She's currently in a straight bar snaffle with a flash, I have started to find out hacking she can just drag her head down and go and I have little chance of stopping, despite trying to sit deep she just bounces me around inthe saddle
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Could anyone suggest a bit to try her with? Sorry
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just think of it as a long hack in a new place make sure you do it with someone you trust to help you out you will love it!
 
So glad that you are going, we have to push ourselves sometimes even if we are scared lol
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I now have transport and am determined to get pony to some 'fun' rides even though he jogged for three hours on the last one
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I'm working on the theory that the more we do the less excited he will be
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Good ideas from people about going a bit later while it's quieter and don't be afraid to ask for help etc - people will understand.

Good luck
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Hey what great timing for this post - I am looking to do a few of these rides this year with Frankie - but he gets excited when we go somewhere new and HE'S ON HIS OWN - so i wonder what he'll be like with a few more horses..........lol............
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I'm not going to be too proud to ask for help - there will be other people there with the same worries as you so you can lean on each other so to speak. I won't be going on any rides if I don't have someone there to 'hold my hand!' Frankie jogs, gets very tense and wound up and spooky, but to be perfectly honest I do not know if he gets strong
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last time we cantered in the open (loooooooong time ago) he did put his head down a bit......mmm I suppose it's all trial and error

I would perhaps try a French link - she might find that harder to take a hold off. In my experience I have found horses tend to lean more on straight bars. What about happy mouth french link snaffle??

Anyway have fun - yes you might feel anxious at first (don't we all!! I need to take this advice) but just laugh it off

make sure you get some piccies
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Yeah you must go! I have a TB who always is very forward and has to be up front, on a short hack if I'm not up front, it's sometimes just hard work! But whenever I go on a pleasure ride I find that the first couple of miles of trotting and cantering up some hills takes the edge off and then he settles down and is a complete pleasure to ride. You may find 8 miles isn't quite enough!

I'm sure you'll have a great time - I'm hopefully going myself so see you there!
 
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