Panic attacks when riding!

[aintgotnohay]

when i got back into riding in the summer my confidence all came back.now just riding just 2 times week my confidence has hit rock bottom.out on hack today i had a massive panic attack and thought my pony was just going to gallop off.we were on a track which ive had problems with before..luckily had 2 friends with me so they helped me through it.im fine riding on the roads and my pony can bit spooky but nothing i cant handle confidently.can someone give me some tips to getting back some confidence.my pony isnt the problem its just me.

 

[Luci07]

are you actually having a real panic attack with all the physical symptoms that entails or were you suddenly very scared?

 

[benson21]

I had a real problem with hacking after a few nasty falls. I would panic at anything, which Benson then picked up on. The best tip I was given was if I felt myself panicing, start singing. Or humming. Just something to regulate your breathing, also to take one hand off the reins and let it hang down my side, to relax your back and stomach muscles if you have tensed up. Try it, it does work!

 

[purplelady]

Hello.
l panic to so your not alone. it is not easy l know if my horse goes that wee bit fast l want of no matter where l am and my face is tripping me .l go out with a good friend who is GREAT and talks to me if l panic or my horse plays up which she says is fine. Any way what l try and do is only do a wee bit at a time not easy l know but all ways try and stop on a good note .
I am over the moon really over it if l get my horse to give me a few rounders in the school .
Every one at the stables knows that if my horse is good after l rode him l am all smiles if not
my face is down some times as he spokes at silly things plus things that was not there before or if the owner as opened a gate .Take things slow and a wee bit at a time.


From purple lady

 

[FionaM12]

are you actually having a real panic attack with all the physical symptoms that entails or were you suddenly very scared?

This is an interesting point. There's a big difference between suddenly feeling frightened and panicky of something real (eg falling off a horse) and an actual diagnosed panic attack.

True panic attacks often come out of the blue when the person's doing something quite everyday (shopping, housework etc) and there's no real danger. As you say, they have physical symptoms, which would make it hard to carry on riding a horse. They usually require a doctor's help to treat.

 

[attheponies]

I think I've had something similar where I can set off on a ride quite happily but then find myself becoming more and more nervous for no obvious reason. For me it tends to be as I get further away from home and then I relax again as I get closer to the yard. It sounds from your post that your fear is perhaps being taken off with on grass? All I can really suggest is to breathe and think positive thoughts to keep your mind off the "what ifs". Chatting or singing might help as well, especially as it encourages you to breathe

 

[aintgotnohay]

I think I've had something similar where I can set off on a ride quite happily but then find myself becoming more and more nervous for no obvious reason. For me it tends to be as I get further away from home and then I relax again as I get closer to the yard. It sounds from your post that your fear is perhaps being taken off with on grass? All I can really suggest is to breathe and think positive thoughts to keep your mind off the "what ifs". Chatting or singing might help as well, especially as it encourages you to breathe

SPOT ON.on this particular track pony has took off and gets rather excited.he is very good on the road and even though he spooks a bit im not bothered by that.today though i just completly froze.was tense,hunched up and holding reins really tight-his signal to go lol.one of my friends went in front and one on the side.we walked up the track like this.i loosened up then and was fine.feel a bit daft really.

 

[VioletStripe]

are you actually having a real panic attack with all the physical symptoms that entails or were you suddenly very scared?

this. If you're having full on, diagnosed panic attacks then personally I'd see a doctor about it. However, if you're just getting very very nervous (nothing wrong with it - happens to all of us!) then I'd think of a distraction. Singing, humming or anything like that is good, nattering with friends (if you're nervous I'd always hack with friends, good to have someone there!), and also before hacking put a couple of drops of Rescue Remedy on your tongue to help calm your nerves. Good luck, hope it gets better. xx

 

[aintgotnohay]

this. If you're having full on, diagnosed panic attacks then personally I'd see a doctor about it. However, if you're just getting very very nervous (nothing wrong with it - happens to all of us!) then I'd think of a distraction. Singing, humming or anything like that is good, nattering with friends (if you're nervous I'd always hack with friends, good to have someone there!), and also before hacking put a couple of drops of Rescue Remedy on your tongue to help calm your nerves. Good luck, hope it gets better. xx

does that stuff really work? ive heard of it.this was a full blown panic attack was going to get off aswell.i will try the singing it did work once but a man told me to shut up.

 

[mulledwhine]

Rode today for the first time in over a year today!!!! And I could feel the panic starting to rise up.. Bending over, grabbing with knees, breathing was getting erratic!!!!

Solution, start to control breathing
And sing humpty dumpty,, it does work, I can't honestly say I was loving my ride, but now sat here I can look back on it and say I enjoyed it.

Good luck xxx

 

[VioletStripe]

does that stuff really work? ive heard of it.this was a full blown panic attack was going to get off aswell.i will try the singing it did work once but a man told me to shut up.

I've found it to work, I used to take it before a jumping class I was very very tense about, or before a music exam. Only one or 2 drops though, just before you go out (always read the label). If it was a full blown panic attack, I really would speak to someone about it. They're no picnic and I know people who have left them and they've gotten very very bad. And who the hell cares if a man told you to shut up? It's a way of coping! Just sing under your breath, just to yourself. Really helps to keep your mind occupied, and seriously I wouldn't hack alone xx

 

[Luci07]

My sister suffers from panic attacks which are completely dehibilitating, hence my question. I am not in any way diminishing your worries, its just that if you are suffering from a full blown panic attack, you need medical help and support - it really isn't something that be sorted out easily.

If it is worry that is upsetting you then the suggestions have been very good. I would also suggest you visulise yourself having a good ride and holding onto that feeling,. it really does help..

 

[ebonyallen]

I had a real problem with hacking after a few nasty falls. I would panic at anything, which Benson then picked up on. The best tip I was given was if I felt myself panicing, start singing. Or humming. Just something to regulate your breathing, also to take one hand off the reins and let it hang down my side, to relax your back and stomach muscles if you have tensed up. Try it, it does work!

I so agree with this, could not have put it better myself, give it a go I hope things get better for you, nothing worse, but most of us have been there, good luck with it .

 

[nicelittle]

Daisydo - I don't sing Humpty Dumpty as he falls off!!! Have tried this while jumping though, but chose baa baa black sheep!

 

[Queenbee]

a number of years ago I became very panicky after ebony had damaged her back and become a bit of a nightmare to ride, I got her sorted, but my nerves, my god they were so fragile. Rescue remedy really does work, but so does putting a back protector on if you don't already. I only ever used to use it for competing, but when I had my attack of the fears I started to wear it all the time, it really helped with my confidence, made me feel a bit more invincible.

 

[mulledwhine]

I know humpty has a bad end, but the pace if horses seems to match the pace of horse/pony

And it is the song that comes in my head first.... Can't imagine why lol

 

[FionaM12]

My sister suffers from panic attacks which are completely dehibilitating, hence my question. .

My sister also, Lucio!

Symptoms of true panic attacks can include: chest pain, palpitations, breathing difficulties, nausea/vomiting. It is often mistaken for a heart attack (as in my sister's case). The attack isn't dangerous, but feels so to the sufferer.

OP if you are having those symptoms, I urge you to get medical help if you haven't done so. It is treatable, but will take more than singing nursery rhymes!

I hope you get it sorted.

 

[lizijj]

I suffer from medically diagnosed panic attacks. They are debilitating. All my horses are young and green, so I can do them no favours riding them if I am anxious. Step one, get medical and Cognitive Therapy help. Step two, only ride your horse when you are confident to be their leader - try visualising a happy and enjoyable ride before hand, get someone else to ride them when you are not well to keep them ticking over (sometimes, seeing someone else ride your horse can also give you confidence). Step three, ask someone you are comfortable with to ride out with you, get them to leave you at gradually bigger distances, until they are a good way behind but can keep their eye out for any problems. Step four, always have a 'happy' route, that if you have a scary hack, you can go back to that one. Step five, spend lots of time doing groundwork to build up your relationship with your horse. Step six, get medical help! Anxiety is a terrible condition. Good luck, a nice hack is the best feeling and exercise is good for anxiety, but your horse needs a confident leader, so get the help and it will all fall into place.