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Post by Deleted on Jan 17, 2012 12:51:21 GMT -5
I know we have talked about this before, but I think it's good to revisit the topic of fear. ( At least for me anyway! ![::)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/eyesroll.png) ) I have this on going fear of loping/cantering. To be more specific, riding a collected lope or canter scares me to death. When I first bought Angel, she was four years old. She hadn't been ridden much that summer, but previously had been shown a ton. I just started riding her every day, and cantered her every day. I had no idea if she was on the right lead, and I knew she wasn't collected, but I figured that would come when someone showed me how. ;-) Anyway....after a few months of this, my daughter moved back to the area and started giving me lessons. She started teaching me how to collect Angel. I had no idea what that would feel like at the lope, ( I ride her collected at the jog), and it was a huge surprise to me. It feels like she is going to explode. She has so much power,and impulsion that it scares me! Angel is 10 this year! And here I am...still scared. ![???](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/huh.png) I really would like to get past this fear and "just do it!" I can imagine that once I get past the take off,it will be a blast. I have ridden her collected lope quite a bit now, but I'm still not past that take off. And I'm still not able to keep her going long. Does that make sense? Anyone else have a certain fear with riding?How have you handled it? As a side note: The lady I bought Angel from rode her this summer, just for fun. You should have seen her lope the old girl. It was GORGEOUS. One other important thing: My dd had a horrific riding accident where the horse fell at the canter. I watched it,and every time I lope/canter, I fear the horse will fall. Weird, I know.
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Post by ghostrider on Jan 18, 2012 3:05:06 GMT -5
I had a horse like that once, I never fully got over the fear that he'd explode again, even though I worked with him for two more years and never had another episode. His was not so much bottled energy as a problem with me being able to read his level of fear before his explosion. I just flat could not read him and every ride felt like he would blow therefore was never relaxing. We just weren't a good match and he's now in his forever home with a friend who loves him.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 18, 2012 9:21:00 GMT -5
Denise...I must have been confusing in my post. Angel has never exploded. She's as quiet and safe as any horse I've ever known. My two year old GD has shown her in lead line, even. She's my dream horse.
My problem is me. I don't mind just loping or cantering, it's when I collect her up that I get scared. It's so powerful. It's a mind thing for me!
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Post by tripledeuce on Jan 18, 2012 18:30:12 GMT -5
Fear is almost never "rational". Its our minds way of reminding us we could get hurt.
Start slow! Have her lope two or three strides, then shut her down. As you gain the knowledge that YOU are in control, you will eventually relax and begin to enjoy it,,but it will take time.
Rember,,,,,,just a step or two,,,,,,,and feel in control untill YOU want moer.
Terry
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Post by MaryS on Jan 19, 2012 13:00:11 GMT -5
I had the same cantering fear, but not collected, just in general. I felt like I would lose control at any second. My trainer took me into a round pen 40' and asked me to canter. I was scared and when asked why, I replied I may not have control. He asked me where the horse would go if I lost control? I guess no where, so what do I have to fear. I was fine in the round pen. So we head to the arena, good size area and a lot more room for the horse to go. I was scared. He again asked me where the horse would go if I lost control in this area. I again said, not really that far. However, this time it took a few times of me disengaging shortly after the takeoff from fear and finding out I do have control before I was fine cantering out in the open. I am still very fearful in open pasture and in pastures with fencing that would hurt if run into: my friend received 50 stitches because her horse tookoff and considered jumping a barb wire fence before skidding sideways into the barbs, and then running off in another direction while she had the barbs in her skin ![:o](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/shocked.png) ! I know I have more control of mine than she did (I've ridden that horse before) of hers, but it is still scary to think that could happen.
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Post by ghostrider on Jan 20, 2012 20:22:36 GMT -5
I meant a horse that felt like bottled up energy. Buddy feels like that only on occasion like when a herd of mares/foals we pass all take flight along the fence with us and he brings his head up and get's his body under us. But I can read him like a book and he does not worry me. Is your fear because you can not read Angel? or because you don't trust her? I don't have trouble with horses I don't trust I have trouble with horses I can't read.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 24, 2012 10:43:03 GMT -5
Terry....That is such a simple idea! It is exactly what I'm going to do. DUH....Why didn't I think of it? I will just take it very slow.
Denise...I trust her, and I can read her.LOL. She is very sensitive, and most of the time we are really in tune to each other. When I say sensitive, I mean....she knows what I'm going to do before I do it. I have to be careful. I can think "lope". Same with other commands. She is voice command trained, and really reads my body. She doesn't have any bottled up energy. LOL.
Mary...you sound like you are in the same place as me. Except...I'm not worrying about Angel running off. I just feel like she's almost too advanced for me sometimes? It's a head thing mostly, but there is also some truth to it.
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Post by horsespoiler on Jan 26, 2012 0:22:30 GMT -5
Ever since I had a horse take off with me I have a worry that it will happen again even though I'm not riding the same horse. Once I get started down the trail things get better but that first little bit, when my horse is fresh is very tough going. I worry about all the trees and make sure I wear my helmet. I have less fear in a strange place than near home because I feel like my horse listens to me better away, she seems to do everything I ask of her.
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Post by ghostrider on Jan 26, 2012 16:28:12 GMT -5
I had a friend from church come over today, we brushed and groomed the horses then took them for a walk. She was afraid of leading them. I know it's a normal thing for someone who is not around horses but I also can't imagine being afraid either. She does want to come back and play with them some more so hoping she can overcome her fear.
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Post by pjbishop on Jan 28, 2012 18:27:49 GMT -5
I do wish we lived closer. I've got a lesson that's helped a lot of my riders with their fear. I know your daughter gives lessons. This might help:
Saddle and bridle up and find a round pen. Have someone you trust work your horse in the round pen as you ride. The key is to make the "lesson" as gentle as it needs to be (slow walking, easy stops, very careful turns) and you grow from there. Keep in mind, the rider is NOT holding on to the reins. They are there ONLY as your "emergency brake". The rider starts out holding on to the saddle horn and then progresses to letting go. The lesson is designed to help the rider concentrate on their seat, balance, leg position, upper body position, etc. without having to worry about guiding the horse. I warn my riders that this exercise is VERY emotional. When I had it done to me, I cried. Some students are exhilirated and some have the same reaction as me. The key to the lesson is to make sure you trust the person doing the round pen work.
I always tell my students to never ignore your fear. Once you acknowledge it, you can start to work through it. It might take a little bit of trial and error to find the right "program" to heal the issues. It may never go away, but I'm sure with the right kind of practice, you will be able to conquer it!
Good luck & stay safe!
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Post by Deleted on Jan 29, 2012 23:22:32 GMT -5
Thank you, PJ! This might work for me. Do you think we could do it on a lunge line in the arena? We don't have a round pen.
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Post by pjbishop on Jan 31, 2012 16:33:47 GMT -5
I don't see why that wouldn't work. Just remember, the person working the lunge line controls your horse's speed & direction.
Good luck & let us know how it works out!
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Post by tripledeuce on Jan 31, 2012 18:45:52 GMT -5
Not to offend, but I would be VERY, VERY carefull of doing this in an arena..........the person on the end of the line dosen't have nearly the control, as the horse can go in many different directions.
Respectfully Terry
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Devin
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Post by Devin on Jan 31, 2012 20:37:18 GMT -5
I struggle with fear, especially if I have allowed a long time to go between rides. Cantering is my favorite, and it also scares me. I don't know why, except that fear of a loss of control. When I was younger I did not fear a loss of control. the funny thing is, I have NEVER fallen off at a trot or canter. Everytime I have been thrown I have been walking my horse and they spook. I should be afraid of walking LOL!
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deb
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Post by deb on Feb 5, 2012 19:41:03 GMT -5
I totally understand where you are coming from. I used to ride quite a bunch, then had kids, then had fear. I raised my own horse and have been working with her ever since, she is lovely. I agree with Terry. A JL trainer helped me, she would talk to me and help me ride through my fear and I stayed on a little longer each time, but my fear was not just at the canter, it was pretty much all the time I was riding. It has taken a few years and I now am able to ride much longer, even went for an hour long lesson the other day and I loped, not for long but I did it, you will too when you have a bit more confidence in yourself and your horse. I definitely think that getting help from someone knowlegable is a big help.
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