Fear of Horses.

[Fluffanstuff]

I have quite a severe fear of horses , does anyone know of anywhere that I could get help about this.

I used to love horse riding and took it up as a child . got on really well and I do genuinely love animals ...most of them .

My reason for being scared of horses is a valid one , the stables I went to didn't teach me when I was little to spot the signs of a grumpy horse.

This resulted in me being severely bitten by an ex racing horse who came to live out the rest of his days in the stables I went to.

Anyway it was a really bad bite , stitches etc, and the way the riding school and my mother dealt with it in hindsight probably didnt help and it ended in me having panic attacks when I turned up for riding lessons.

Im now a lot older and wiser and before I start my family want to get over this. There is no way I could go to a petting farm and walk past a horse without showing my terror and its not an attitude I want to pass on.

Are there any horsey charities / websites or good horsey places that might be able to help me get over this stupid fear ?

Are there any riding schools near you? I would try giving them a ring and see if they might be able to help you. Good luck with it, it seems a shame to let one nasty horse put you off all of them, so I hope you can get over it!

Where are you?

I am sure someone on here might be near you and be able to help, if you are near me I would. Although be careful what you wish for - I had a massive fear and my Grandad helped me... 24 years on and my Mum still curses him for buying me a horse

Im berkshire / bucks border. The nearest riding school that I know off , that offers lessons etc. was the one that it happened in as a child. I doubt any of the staff are the same ...and the horse more than likely isn't there but still ... probs not the best place to start off on a new hoof.

I'm trying to think
Jo Cooper is excellent at NLP over the phone (she comes up on google)
What about a riding for the disabled place or small charity? Or do you know anyone with horses? Maybe google and search for BHS riding schools
I used to live in Berks but am now other end of the country!!
I hope you find someone, I'm sure you will as I would have been more than happy to help

Since you mentioned petting farms do you have any near you as I'm thinking that might actually be a good place to start. They usually have some friendly shetlands or maybe even quiet ponies for giving pony rides. Some of the farm type ones have a shire horse so you could work your way up [hsmile]. It stands to reason they are not going to have any nasty-tempered animals so that should put your mind at rest a bit before you start.
Maybe you have a friend with a small child who could accompany you if you feel a bit daft? They could wander off to look at rabbits/goats or whatever while you hang around the ponies if you are worried about passing on your fears.

Sorry that sounds awful now I read it back. I meant a bit daft going to a childrens' farm on your own, not daft being scared of the ponies [hblush].
Actually, if there is a farm near you it might be worth giving them a ring and explaining your problem, they might be quite helpful.

Thanks , I thought I might be a bit silly giving a farm a random call but as it seems to be the general consensus that that would probably be the best Idea thats my job for the week !

Maybe try riding for the disabled? they are always desperate for helpers near me, and that help can be anything from mucking out to filling water buckets to leading ponies in a lesson. The horses there are almost certainly the most laid back and even tempered beasts you are ever likely to meet, you could start off with maybe some general yard stuff until you feel confident to get a bit closer.

oH I wish we were nearer..... my dearest ned would be ideal for this as its her "job in life" working with people who are nervous or who have learning / physical impairments.

oh BTW ... its NOT a stupid fear..... its based in reality ! Some horses do bite / kick and even though its generally for a very good reason to them ... few do it for "no reason" ... eg many that are "nippy" do so because they have been randomly fed titbits or teased with them. Despite being an avid horse lover I am still a little cautious with new ones if they sniff near my chest area ..... as a teen I was bitten badly by a milk cart horse on the boob. My own fault.. it was working and I stoopidly reached out to stroke its nose . ..... maybe it was just fed up of passing humans making so bold. I knew better after about the right was to greet a horse !!!!!!!!!!

rogers suggestion is a good one .... and the petting farm may well be a good one as well.... if you explain I am sure that they would help. Another could be an equine rescue charity ... they would welcome anything you could do to help them...... and you could work your way round the suitable neds. The horses Trust is in princess risborough

www.horsetrust.org.uk/

I would try and find someone you know with horses and ask them to let you spend some time with a really nice happy layed back horse, that would never hurt a fly. Then just try and relax around the horse and soon, once you have gained trust in 1 horse im sure you will be back to loving them just as you used to