Shocked, disappointed in myself!

[Mrs G]

Just had a sit on a friend's quiet, biddable schoolmaster-type gelding. I was absolutely terrified! Literally paralysed with fear; I could only manage about 6 strides of trot and had hold of the neck strap the whole time. It seems my lazy yet argumentative tb has ruined me for other horses! It was the first time I've sat on any other horse for a good couple of years so I expected it to feel weird and to be a bit nervous, but it felt like I couldn't ride AT ALL! The fact that this horse kept walking without me asking at every stride was scary enough and he felt so much more forward than my boy that I felt completely out of control and was expecting him to suddenly tank off or buck or leap about (which my tb can do). I know the only answer is to ride other horses more often which I will try to do (New Years Resolution perhaps) but I am just shocked at how bad/scared I was!

 

[kinnygirl1]

Don't give yourself a hard time. You were just a little overwhelmed by the "newness" of the situation. Do try again and I'm sure you will feel better now you know what to expect. Good luck.

 

[RoyalSapphire]

I had the exact same thing! my 21 yo arab x cross was basically the only thing I rode & when she got pts I didn't ride anything else. she was an arab so had her moments but in genral v lazy. I now have a 6 yo cob who is v steady but a lot more forward than what id been use to nothing silly at all espielly considering her age (had a massive lorry come past us a blind corner & didn't care) but loves to explore the world and isn't a fan of stopping & standing. I felt the exact same I was absolutely terrified for the first few times I rode her at home (not at the viewing though) and was going to send her back as every time i got on her just wanted to get off her again and would cry nearly every time. however r friend was determined for us to keep her as she figured it was just me getting use to the up in power. she was right. she helped us and now I don't feel nervous when I ride her. just do short amounts! little n often. but if ur desperate to get off say on at least until that feeling subsides (even if its just a smidge) as that what hep me the most. once she did the tiniest of bucks, so of course I was soooooo desperate to get off but she made me go round the arena just once more and she calmed down and so did I and when I came back I no longer wanted to get off!
sorry for the essay (tbh think I'm glad Ive found someone to relate)

 

[Pigeon]

I find it so weird riding other people's horses, the first few strides I feel like I'm flopping around! I think you just have to power through and do it frequently, I'm really lucky that the last few I've ridden have been gorgeous and better schooled than mine

 

[Brummyrat]

Totally understandable. When I lost my boy after 20 years I felt hopeless riding other peoples' horses, my boy was a real livewire but I knew him so felt safe. The above post (sorry forgot the name) gave good advice, when you feel like getting off, try another half of the school and finish on a good note. Its all about challenging the demons, in time Im sure you'll learn to relax but do it at your own pace and don't think you're a failure because you're not xx

 

[LeannePip]

I'm exactly the same! I spent years of my childhood riding horses/ ponies for other people before i had my own, then i got to ride a few as part of various jobs i had, but for the last 3 years i've only ridden my own. Despite the fact that neither of mine have been easy (ones a fun little sporty cob who could be a bit of a handful and the other is a sharp little 4yo warmblood) i'm always worried about getting on other peoples, Mum has to force me to ride hers if she needs her ridden, doesn't happen that often!

But this last week i've had to get on a friends new Irish 4yo who was being a bit of a bother, and another friends little cob who bucked her off after his clip and was feeling a bit fresh. I was pretty scared about getting on both to begin with even though both were within my capabilities but i feel even better for having done it. As riders it is really good focus to push our boundaries every now and again, even if it is just little and often!