Server Confidence issue

Hels_Bels

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To cut a long story short, Before Christmas my horse tripped up and fell, we both went down (I didn’t come off) but gave my shoulder a good tug, resulting in everything down my right side going into spasm, my muscles and nerves buggered and I’ve been having major physio on it.

I was out of the saddle for 7 weeks.
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Then I got the ok to get back on, I rode a new horse at college and had a cracking fall, 2 days in hospital, unconscious and buggered shoulder again..

So to the day it’s been 9 weeks since I properly rode.

Yesterday I had 2 lessons at college, The first one was horrific, I couldn’t ride I was a nervous wreck, I ended up getting off tried riding 2 other horses in that lesson and got off them as well.

Then in the 2nd lesson I was shaking before I even got on. Forced myself to get on and then again couldn’t face it and got off

I’ve never been like this before all my confidence has just gone.

What can I do? I love horses and love riding, (usually out hunting, 5 bar gates don’t phase me) But now…… Im shaking now just thinking about it. I have a lesson on wednesday and really don't want to ride.
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*Sorry needed to rant and get that off my chest*
 
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Have you been able to have a sit on Janey or Charm? They'll be the ones to turn too when your having a confidence crisis
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I don't know if your saw my post but Janey is injured and Out of action for a while, so a no go with her.

There's charm but as im at uni and shes at home (Quite far away) it's not easy

I have booked some lessons for when i go home next weekend, It's just what to do in the time being.
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Oohh, sorry to hear about Janey.

Just take it easy, don't do any more than what you want to do.

Is there any way you can say to your instructor to even just have a lesson in walk with a bit of trot, and focus on something in particular like your position to keep your attention away from it.
 
Aw hun. Been there, what the heck, am still there to some extent!

Get on for one lap of the school, then get off. Next day, repeat. Build up as and when you feel comfortable.

Maybe not have a lesson per se. Anything quiet that you can walk down the drive on then get off?

You have had two cracking falls - I know the first was a slip, but the net effect is the same - you are going to have some sort of reaction.

Have a hug and a hot choccy hun.

PS - We're Derbyshire-ish if you want to come and have a ride on Little Cob
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. He's grand for making you feel good
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.
 
Find a mechanical horse & have a few sessions on it. Someone in S Yorks has one. They are really good for helping anyone get back into riding after time off because of injury.
 
I have been there too, first crash = 2 broken ribs. 2nd crash = a broken collar bone. I sold up and gave up but after two years I just had to get back to riding. I was a nervous wreck which made trying out potential horses 'interesting' to say the least. I found my current horse and will never show anyone the video of me riding him the first time 'cos I was so scared and hunched over. Now (three years later) I am jumping over a metre, riding in the forest, doing dressage and going to every comp I can find. It is about finding the right horse, taking your time and being kind to yourself. You can get it back, just take your time.
 
As someone has suggested there is a mechanical horse at Manor Grange stud close to the A1 and M62. Otherwise however "stupid" it may feel have a lesson on a lead rein, and even if you feel ready to go off alone don't do it as at this stage its far better for you to get off wanting more than it is to feel confident when you are being led and then get worried when your leader is not there.
I had a friend who was shaking at the thought of riding after an accident, but within 15 mins on the lead on my old boy chatting to me she was looking at her nails and had forgotten to worry. It happens to a hell of a lot of people, just make sure you are not pushed into doing too much the first few times.
 
A pity you're not closer otherwise I'd say come down and I'll lead you on a leadrope on Hovis. He's brilliant when he knows he has someone nervous on board - hes so used to me!
I've been on hovis when he fell into a hole and although I didn't come off i did pretty much the same as you - wrenched my shoulder and my back really badly so i sympathise.
I echo what everyone else has said - take it really slowly and don't let people push you beyond what you are comfy with. I still have days when i'm a total nervous wreck and hubby sticks me on a leadrope to go round the field. Hovis sighs and plods along and i feel like a 33 year old wally but heh it works!
 
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