Nervous When Riding?

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Nb.equine

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Hey, so about 2 weeks ago I had my my normal lesson and I got put on a pretty green 3 year old horse. The lesson was going great, and then we started jumping. I cantered him up to the jump, we cleared it but after he threw his head and bloted, so I fell off. I got back on and tried again, I cleared it. I went around for the last time and once again he threw his head and bloted, I didn't expect it coming! I fell off for the second time, got back on and did flat work while others jumped. Next lesson I got put on a horse i was comfy with, but for some reason I got very nervous. I the car I was shaking thinking about what would happen. When I got to the barn I was ok, I didn't mind anything as the horse was pretty quiet. Went we started riding I got very nervous, I tensed up. We were trotting and it felt as if my stomach was shaking. I got a huge cramp and took a break. Then I went and started cantering, still nervous. My stomach felt worse and worse until I had to halt. I felt as if I were going to throw up and I felt it coming so I got off and, well got "sick". I thought it was because I ate too much. I went home then next lesson I got a nice pony. Again I was still nervous for some un known reason, only when I started cantering did my stomach feel wierd. I knew what was going to happen again so I dismounted and got sick for the second time. I had a full month of unlucky lessons and when ever I get on I get nervous, nothing happens when I'm grooming/ tacking up. I don't know why I get so nervous but I want it to stop so I can keep on riding and start jumping again. My trainer said I will work on getting more comfy around horses and just doing flat work until I feel better.
Is there anything I can do to stop getting so nervous? I don't know why I get so nervous so it would help to know why I am first, is it because of falling off or just something wrong with my stomach?

Thanks so much for reading, sorry if it was a little bit long. :)
 
PeterNatt said:
If you are having a riding lesson in a recognised riding establishment then they should be using reliable and safe horses not 3 year old horses.
Was this a riding school?
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Yes, this was at a riding school. The horse himself is a bit green but sometimes can have his off days. He only jumps around 1 foot? Not much higher.
 
Nb.equine said:
Yes, this was at a riding school. The horse himself is a bit green but sometimes can have his off days. He only jumps around 1 foot? Not much higher.
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No ... it's not acceptable to use a 3 yr old (presumably barely broken horse) to teach you, or anyone else, how to ride - let alone how to jump. He has too much education of his own to grasp first and a lot of maturity to gain. Change riding schools immediately and educate yourself a little more on what should be expected of young horses. this is an absolute accident waiting to happen.
 
Nb.equine said:
Ok I will look into changing schools. Sorry if I sound rude or anything just incase you got the wrong idea
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Not rude - but definitely lacking in knowledge about what you should expect at a good RS. Horses are a continual learning curve - even after 30+ yrs of involvement with them.

Find a school with some good been there, done it all type horses and your confidence will soon come back. If you do go back to your current RS then I would state that you don't want to ride anymore green horses. You're paying to learn to ride, not to school their horses.And if you go there again i'd check their insurance policy too, as they sound more than a little dodgy!
 
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I wouldn't necessarily change RS just because they are using green horses - at my old RS, my instructor told me one day I would be riding the 4yo cob she was bringing on in my lesson because she thought I would like him and didn't feel he would push me too hard but would be more of a challenge and something different to the other RS horses.
However, at the time I was regaining confidence after a bad fall from my own horse, and had been riding the RS schoolmasters and whilst I am a novice, I had enough ability to ride this horse and my instructor explained what she was asking me to do with him, why, and how. This horse also had a lot of his basic schooling already, and at that stage was able to work over poles/small jumps etc, just wasn't experienced or very confident and green.
My instructor also made a good call when she said I would like him, we were very very well matched and if I had the money I would have definitely bought him.

To me, it sounds like your instructor was irresponsible and put you on a horse you're not really ready to be riding yet, and that isn't ready for RS life. That flags up alarm bells for me, and your instructor should be working with you and communicating with you to build your confidence.
If you're getting to the point you're no longer enjoying it, I think you either need to try and find a lesson with a new instructor at the RS if you don't want to leave the RS, or to go looking for a RS with instructors who better suit you.
I don't think you need to 'get comfy' if you're not nervous to tack up and groom, and it's just the riding that makes you nervous. It sounds like you were given a horse who was too much for you, and instead of taking it slow you've been expected to just get on with it on a safer horse. Have you spoken to your instructor at all, to see what they can do to help other than telling you to 'get comfy' (and just get on with it and get over it, it seems)
 
I'm sorry you've had such a knock to your confidence. Putting you on a 3 yr old wasn't appropriate.

I think riding lessons on experienced and relaxed horses would be more suitable for you at this stage so you can re-gain confidence. If your current RS won't accommodate this, find somewhere that will.

Best of luck and happy riding! :)
 
I am not surprised you feel nervous. I see it that you are worried about the people/place that you trust with your safety.

Are you in America? Only asking as I think they have different rules about horses being used as a 3 year old. In England 3 Year Olds are not allowed to be used in a commercial school.

My OH had a similar experience, with a 4 YO, but one that was far too small. He fell off and felt just the same. I am a trainer myself, but due to his experience and size I thought it best he learned in a school. Once he had lost faith in the school I got him a horse on loan for the summer and taught him myself. He ended that summer cantering up old pit stacks, galloping, jumping at a show.....

...... so please do not think it is permanent. Find a different school, with a sympathetic trainer, start on the lunge and be happy :-)
 
Assuming you are UK based, the school is in breach of the Riding Establishment Act in using a 3 year old.

The licence which must be on display will detail how many horses are used in the school, a separate register will list any horse aged 3 or under.
 
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