Losing your nerve

[Parsley1234]

I’ve lost it I’m nervous and worried all the time has anyone any good advice ? Has anyone done the horse confidence course in Hemel Hempstead ?

I bored myself into not being scared! I would get on, then get off. Get on, walk a circle, get off. I literally bored myself into trotting then thought “that transition was a bit crap, need to do it again”
Went from being unable to get on to cantering by myself on an open field and hacking for hours
I think it helps to establish what you’re scared of as well

I’ve not attended the course as it’s a long way for me and would need 2 nights stay which would make it very expensive. I have, however done his online course which was great. If the actual clinic is half as good, it will be amazing. Let me know if you do it…I’m thinking of trying to save enough to attend.

@lunaemma I’m scared of falling horse bolting not being able to stop horse spooking
@Seventimesaday thank you for that information they do do a two day course which involves cantering in open spaces I’m very tempted

I did a brilliant confidence building course at Poplar Park EC in Suffolk which wasn't expensive - ended up cantering up a hill in open forest by myself - not following although the rest of the group were close-by, I'm not sure if they do that course now but there is something quite magical about that place, its so relaxed.

Op sorry to read this.
My DD has lost her nerve due to a spooky horse. She did the kids confidence course and it was really good.

I have put her back in a riding school and have sold said spooky pony.

Heartbreaking as it was her first pony and I know it's not easy but it is meant to be fun at he end of the day.

I had a fall a few years ago learning to canter and it really shook my confidence. I wasn’t injured apart from a grazed wrist and it wasn’t anything I’d done wrong, the horse tripped on a stone, but it was horrible at the time and I couldn’t canter on that horse properly for weeks if not months.

What helped me was switching to a really slow and safe, steady horse. Not easy if it’s your own you’re scared of but my riding school at the time had a real beginners horse who was so safe and gentle. I built my confidence back up on him and then tried again on the horse I’d fallen on.

I think all it takes is time and patience and sometimes a change of horse and even environment to break that association in your head. Good luck!

@Blankscreen did she do the kids confidence in Hemel Hempstead ?
@faerietales yes I think that’s what it needs another horse to break the connection. My horse is totally lovely he spooks as a joke but it’s not funny 🤣🤣

Yes the Hemel Hempstead one.

It is expensive but apart from the money you've nothing to lose.

Good luck

@Parsley1234I’d definitely recommend another horse - or even having lessons on your own horse under an instructor in a school environment or on a hack if that’s possible?

@Blankscreen tgsnk you sounds exact I need
@faerietales yes we are doing all that 🤣🤣

I lost it after a fall - wasn’t hurt just winded but it was in front of my kids and for some reason that really got to me.

didnt ride for about a year then they wanted to book a weekend riding stay so we did that - it helped enough for me to decide to try again. I had a total back to basics reboot starting with walking on a lunge with a fabulous 1-1 instructor- managed to get back into cantering with my eyes open!

I don’t ride anymore mainly due to time and £ but I’m able to do the odd trek with no worries

This 100%. I teach quite a lot of people who for one reason or another have confidence issues. I myself have also had them and boring yourself confident is the way to sort it out. Also for example over achieving for competition. Eg don’t do an Intro test unless you’re working really well at Novice. Be really honest with your trainer about your wildest panic thoughts.

I was very nervous-I’d bought a horse who was spooky and I completely lost my confidence. I sold him and bought a sweet pony who I trust completely. She can’t do as much but I can relax and enjoy my riding. Really took my time to build up what we did together.

@Chopsticksushi its a dilemma for sure to know what to do

We have sold our spooky pony. It'd soooooo hard but I could see my DD was terrified. I took a step back and reminded myself that it's meant to be fun.

We are currently looking for a much steadier slower model for her to rebuild her confidence on and have some fun and back in the riding school while we search.

She's like a different child. We were doing the riding school along side the spooky pony and it was still an ordeal got her to try and ride him and would re knock her confidence.

Such a difficult decision to make but I feel relieved.

Hi.
I feel like you, I have lost my confidence. I go through stages. I have also changed my job and working 41 hrs a week so only see pony at weekends.
I dont know what I am scared of, getting hurt maybe. I have a rescue pony who ive had for 5 years but she is very moody, has allergies, can only hack now, is moody when doing her girth up and will stamp and possibly kick out.
I dont feel like I enjoy it anymore and its more of a chore but cant imagine giving her back to the sanctuary.
I like the idea of what someone else said about making yourself bored of these thoughts.....