Scared to ride

[katie.eq]

A few weeks back I had a fall and since then I've been really nervous to ride. I've always been a nervous rider, as I have literally zero confidence in myself, but I've fallen before and i didn't feel as scared as I do now so I honestly have no idea why I feels so scared suddenly. For the past few lessons, I've just tried to ignore it, in the hope it would go away, but instead it just got worse, and it got to the point that last lesson, I was so terrified that I had to dismount in the middle of the lesson. I have no idea what to do now. A part of me wants to quit, but I still love horses and i loved riding up till now, but I know that if I continue, I'll just get more and more terrified.
Maybe I should just take a break?? I have no idea why I'm suddenly so scared, or what to do. Please help me.

 

[sheep]

Can you tell us a little bit more about the lessons? Are they group or individual, is it on your own horse or is it a riding school environment?

Also, what happened when you fell off?

Losing confidence is not a nice thing, but it is possible to regain it. Hopefully we can give you some useful advice to help with that.

 

[Equi]

I had horrific nerves for a long time and the only thing that really settles you is riding positively and by that I mean things you can take away with a positive attitude. If I had forced myself to do lessons etc when I was at my lowest I wouldn’t be riding now. Sometimes you need to go back to basics and just get on and walk a lap and get back off. Baby steps all the way until you build up enough confidence again.

 

[Pinkvboots]

I lost my confidence after I broke my ankle my horse fell on me while I was riding, I found having 2 half hour lessons a week really helped me and I have started having some lessons on a simulator, I found that my whole position had changed and my secure seat had just gone so it was making me feel vunrable when I rode, I have found the simulator has really helped me get a much better position and it gave me the confidence to want to ride again, I would really recommend it I was so amazed at how much better it made me feel.

I also found just getting a friend to be with me when I rode really helped, I also got some help from one of the liveries next door who rides a few other people's horses, she has been helping me just do a few lessons with her a week and I often get her to ride my horse before I get on. It's really helped me feel better about riding.

 

[Cob Life]

I lost all my confidence after a few consecutive bad falls, I would shake whenever I got on a horse, the biggest thing for me was an instructor who believed in me and who I trusted. I was lucky enough that my friend is a very good instructor!
It's taken me 4 years (with a year break in the middle) to get that confidence back and jumping still terrifies me

 

[Bernster]

When I had a bigger blip, I did some sports confidence coaching, could help if you’re able to pay for that kind of help.

 

[katie.eq]

Can you tell us a little bit more about the lessons? Are they group or individual, is it on your own horse or is it a riding school environment?

Also, what happened when you fell off?

Losing confidence is not a nice thing, but it is possible to regain it. Hopefully we can give you some useful advice to help with that.

It was a group lesson at a riding school I go to. I was riding a horse that I really trusted and rode almost every lesson because he was known to be quite calm, and as I'm still struggling with confidence, he made me feel more secure. It was a really windy day, and my instructor told me to ride a canter circle. He had been somewhat lazy the entire lesson, so i was giving him a bit more leg than usual, but then there was a really strong gust of wind and suddenly swerved to the right in a fast canter. It wasn't even a gallop, but i wasn't expecting it plus he was turning at the same time which unbalanced me and i fell. I got back on as there was still about fifteen minutes left but he was really excitable for the rest of the lesson and kept trying to 'chase' the horse in front, which didn't really help with my nerves. I think embarrassment is part of the problem- most the people in my lesson can sit a gallop whereas I fall off at a canter on a pony that has a reputation for being the calmest in the yard- but only a very small part, because embarrassment doesnt usually stop me from riding.

 

[JFTDWS]

most the people in my lesson can sit a gallop whereas I fall off at a canter on a pony that has a reputation for being the calmest in the yard- but only a very small part, because embarrassment doesnt usually stop me from riding.

Well you can knock that mentality right out of the park for starters. Anyone in your riding group who thinks that way is just ignorant - being able to ride at speed is no indication of stickiness in other gaits - straight line speed is easy to sit. It's generally in slower gaits that the lack of straightness (or changes of momentum in other directions) which unseat riders, and even easy horses have their moments. Even if your horse didn't do anything outrageous, these things happen - even to experienced and competent riders. I've come off horses for all kinds of bizarre reasons and I'm willing to bet I've been riding a fair bit longer than you. The upside is that it's all a learning experience.

The best way to combat fear is, in my experience, through competence. When you have a really solid skillset, you will - for the most part - have faith in that. So in your shoes, I would consider having a few private lessons to work on the lunge and really focus on your position. Being on the lunge should give you confidence to do more as your horse is under control. It will also enable you to really work on your position, balance and stability, so that when you free range again you'll be more confident in your own skills. Many very experienced riders return to lunge lessons to tweak things like this throughout their lives.

 

[Equi]

I’ve fallen off a horse who was not in motion at all and cracked my ribs and I have also fallen off a horse in walk because I didn’t have a saddle. Another was in trot and well I just flopped off. I’ve fallen off at the slower paces more than the fast and I’ve been riding for nearly 30 years. Trust me, sticking on a horse that’s going “fast” doesn’t make you a good rider. Falling off, taking it on the chin and working to better yourself again is what counts.

 

[Mule]

I recently got bucked off in halt during a group lesson. It is embarrassing when everyone is looking at you but it happens to everyone. People are generally just concerned that you may be hurt. I think lunge lessons are a good idea.

 

[Surbie]

My horse has had me off a few times, once seriously. I am not the most confident rider either and, while I've tried to see each fall as just one of those things, my confidence gets dented.
I found hacking out with nice, relaxed people & horses helped me enormously, and fortunately my yard has an ample supply of those. After the more serious fall I went to see a sports psychologist. The breathing exercises and other tips have been great, not least setting small goals, taking it slowly and only doing what I am genuinely comfortable with.

 

[Cloball]

Being the sort of rider who loses confidence without falling off I totally understand where you are coming from. It is easy when your self esteem is low to assume that is what other people think but it is rarely the case.
A horse can go sideways from a walk at over 50mph so there is no need to be embarrassed.
Maybe a few private lessons with a focus on confidence an a secure seat would help? I also found rescue remedy pastilles to be a help in the past.

 

[Cavalier]

I know exactly where you are coming from. I had an accident last October where the horse I was riding on a hack slipped in mud in canter, fell over and landed on me. Luckily nothing broken for either of us but I still can't remember much about it. I started off absolutely fine, rode her on a hack again but got more and more nervous over the next couple of months. My solution has been 1. to change horses, she belongs to the riding school so I don't have to ride her. 2. Go back to basics again in my lessons. I have a half hour private lesson each week and have concentrated on my position, working on the lunge without reins or stirrups, and am now at a point where I am enjoying hacking again as I feel safer in the saddle. Try private lessons if you can, you'll learn so much more. Good luck and don't give up

 

[mini_b]

I always nearly fall off mine when he ducks to side at speed. And I KNOW he does it. Don’t worry

maybe have a private lesson if you can, I get really stressed out and it’s always because I’m worrying what others think, not actually about what’s going on with me and the horse. Which is silly and counterproductive.

also how about some lunge lessons (as mentioned) in canter so you can work on feeling less wobbly.

Also if you fall off 20 times then you’re a proper rider apparently so keep going haha xx