Trust

M

Morrigan_Lady

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18 December 2006
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www.teamterrellshowjumping.co.uk
How do you learn to trust your horse again after its recked your confidence?
I had a bad fall nearly two years ago now and I cant seem to get over it! I just dont trust Arch at all and Im starting to wonder if I should look for summut else!
Im not half the rider I used to be now!
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Have you tried getting help? An instructor or maybe natural horsmanship? Anything that will work has to be worth a go. Maybe swapping rides with someone elese with a smaller "safer" horse. Or trying riding lessons on a riding school horse for a few weeks?
 
I am not sure whether it is trust in your horse you need to rebuild, it is after all an animal driven by fear, hunger and hormones, or simple confidence in your own ability to harness and control those elements.

A good many of us are not the riders we used to be, a combination of lasting injury damage, greater responsibilities and the sudden realisation that if you are badly hurt a lot of the stuff you manage from day to day would no longer happen can combine to make you more cautious. That is normal, don't feel bad about it.

Have you ridden other horses? Do you feel happier with them or is there on particular aspect of riding that is making you nervous, never mind which horse you are on. I know that one, with me it is trot to canter transitions, once we are cantering I am fine, it is just the first few strides when I go tense - the reminder of a bolting pony I had many years ago - the irony is that going tense worries the horse and i build up a circle of tension. Can you identify a movement or issue that worries you particularly?
 

I am looking at getting a new instructor and I do miss my lessons with my previous trainer as he gave confidence and I enjoyed my lessons with him, plus I bought Arch off him so he knows my horse very well.
I stopped having lessons with him though as he wasnt very nice to Arch on one occasion, although I spose I could give him another go. Just watching him ride Arch made me feel confident.
But Im fine on other horses, Ill get on anything and even jump a horse that Ive never ridden before, its just Arch, he's so unpredictable and when he bucks, Im garenteed to come off, he's rears are pretty spectacular, but I dont mind them as much.
I am much better than I used to be, I used to feel sick at the thought of just getting on him, but now I do look forward to riding him. But even last night, he flet abit tense and I wanted to get off! Now that p1ssed me off, coz Ive never felt like this b4, Ill ride a horse through anything!
 
Hi bird,
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my instructor is great at restoring confidence. Shes a strassage person by "trade" but has really helped me! Ill email u.
 
It's a shame when this happens. It sounds as though your horse is not really helping with your confidence. Maybe you should think about sending him for schooling to a proffessional yard for a bit. There are plenty about and you can visit/ride when you want. They should be able to curb the bucking/rearing which is adding to your lack of confidence and give you some lessons following his schooling. If your thinking of selling it would be worth giving it a go before hand. You will either regain your confidence on the new lovely schooled horse! or have a more valuble horse to sell as he will have less bad habbits.
 
I think it happens to us all darlin....

I found my confidence was terrible when i first got Fee, but over the last few months ive taken it really slowly and built things up so that ive become more confident.

I didn't realise he could throw a buck/rear, he seemed really settled when i came to say hello! Its hard to know what to suggest, but i think getting lessons is a really good idea. Talk it through with your potential instructor first, explain your nervous and hopefully you can find someone that will help you along.

Im always around to help too if you need me!
 
i think i'd get a good instructor who can help you with your confidence and be very patient. also, it might help to watch your horse being ridden by someone else (hopefully a decent jockey!) to prove to yourself that he can do it, and look good and safe etc.
is the problem with jumping, hacking out, running off, or just general riding?
 
[ QUOTE ]
i think i'd get a good instructor who can help you with your confidence and be very patient. also, it might help to watch your horse being ridden by someone else (hopefully a decent jockey!) to prove to yourself that he can do it, and look good and safe etc.
is the problem with jumping, hacking out, running off, or just general riding?

[/ QUOTE ]

Hacking can worry me, but not too much. The main prob at the mo is with jumping. He seems to have got into the habit of putting his head inbetween his legs after a jump and having a fit! I come off EVERY time!
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I would get someone else to jump him and see how he is - depending on the outcome, that may help you to get your confidence with him. I would also invest in some lessons and tack a few steps back. Perhaps you could go back to basics and work up from some trotting poles to get your confidence jumping again.

Most of all, don't worry because it happens to everyone (well, those who realise the dangers!).
 
oh dear. that's no fun at all. umm, i'd get back and saddle checked (ideally both by someone different to last time... i've fallen into that trap myself!), and then, if all's fine, get someone very competent and calm (not a roughrider) to jump him for you a few times, and see if he tries it with them. if he's doing it because you're catching him in the mouth or sitting on his back, and he's objecting to the pain, then you need a bit of help to make you more secure and confident and comfy for him, but if he's just having fun, he really needs to learn that it isn't acceptable to express himself in that way! good luck with it.
 
You sound like you have already given up the game. If you have seriously considered selling him for something else then you are perhaps not happy with him. Lst had a big chesty horse back last year that was a bit manic and she sold him for that lovely chesty boy Sam she has this season which IMO she looks far more confident and happy on, maybe you should drop her a PM?
 
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