Support Group For Equestrians Overcoming Rider Fear

FreshStart 1 post 18-Jun-2008 8:13 AM	I'm so pleased to have found this site, just at the right time, too. I'm coming back into horses after a break of 26 years. I started riding at the age of eight in England, and continued after I moved to Canada, right up until forty. I've coached and trained all those years. Now I'm retired, I decided to share my life with a horse again. I was offered a "rescue" QH mare, but the night before she was to be delivered, she was found dead lame in the pasture, and it was felt to be a serious problem. My daughter knew how disappointed I was and gave me her 10 year old QH mare that she doesn't have much time for (she has other horses). I can't believe how nervous I am!! Not so much at the thought of riding, but around them on the ground. It didn't help that the first time I went to catch her in the pasture last week, her 2 year old Gypsy Horse companion decided to run her own little stampede around us. We have to climb a steep hill to get up to the gate, and at my age that was enough of a challenge. My new mare, I discovered, leans in with her shoulder when being led, and then I had the gypsy horse's heels flying through the air within feet of me. She also barged out of the gate as we were leaving, and I felt rather embarrassed to have to call out "Loose Horse" on my first day at the barn. Not a good start! So, ... again, thank heavens I found you all. I'm planning to follow Clinton Anderson's programme once I recover from the chest virus I now have. Does anyone else use his methods?
working through it 4 post s 18-Jun-2008 8:30 AM	Welcome! I am new to the sight as well. I am familiar with Clinton Anderson and have a great deal of respect for him. As for your first day at the barn...well we have all been there. It is all about learning. And if I don't get it the first time my horse teaches me again!! Take your time, there is no hurry to get to know her. What is your riding discipline? Working through it
FreshStart 3 post s 18-Jun-2008 9:54 AM	Hi, Working Through It. Nice to meet you, and thank you for your encouragement. Hopefully, my nerves on the ground are just a hiccough. Funny, because I'm anxious to get back in the saddle, but not until Miss C and I come to an understanding about who is the boss mare. I can tell she is going to resent this new expectation of her. I've covered every discipline, I think, with the exception of eventing and endurance. The last thing I was up to before I quit riding (forced on me by rheumatoid arthritis, which is now in remission), was Western Trail, Western Riding and Reining. Now in the autumn of my years, trail riding out the back of the property sounds nice, and when my old body complains, ground work. I will be using an Aussie stock saddle this time around. How about you?
working through it 6 post s 18-Jun-2008 11:34 AM	Trying to find our niche. Working on some dressage, have done some jumping, not crazy about trail riding though. As a kid, I did it all really. Vaulting with a circingle, dressage, trail riding, small horse shows. I had a horse as a kid that was a poor fit. Pretty frightening experience, and now this is my 2nd chance. I guess I am afraid of screwing this up. But I know I can overcome this with a little work. Good to meet you as well!
dog-shrink 263 post s 19-Jun-2008 12:48 AM	Hi gals (I assume!!!) I also ride aussie and now actually don't like any other saddle, they seem there's nothing these! I'm sure with some help you will train your horse well with lots of ground work before you get on.It did wonders for my confidence which was completely shot! ---------- Bitless - not witless! Last Edited on 19-Jun-2008 12:49 AM
FreshStart 8 post s 19-Jun-2008 6:11 AM	Hi Dog-Shrink, and "yes", I'm an old grey mare. I'm with you - the Aussie stock saddle is the safest and most all purpose saddle there is. You get some funny looks though, don't you? Does yours have a horn?
RedsMom 885 post s 19-Jun-2008 11:56 AM	Fresh~ I'm a BIG fan of Clinton Anderson, and I think that's a great way for you to begin bonding with your new horse. And don't worry about being nervous . . . it's very common for people who are returning to riding after an abscense to be uneasy. You WILL get more comfortable with time! Good luck to you, and please keep us posted! :o) ---------- ~RedsMom Wear your brain bucket!!! :oD
demelza 42 post s 19-Jun-2008 12:07 PM	I have bought Control and respect dvd by clinton anderson. I understand what he says and agree with his reasoning but I found he is more "assertive" than I could ever be..or want to be. At times the horses look fearful of him and I know I dont have the courage to use the whip like he does. I've started using parelli instead. A much more gentle way and I still get the licking and chewing of the lips as a sign of submission from the horse without having to hit them. Both trainers are simular with what they are aiming to achieve..just different ways of getting there. I just know that if I did it Clinton Andersons way my horse would be continually on his guard with me and holding his head very high. I want to be someone who he is not fearful of and can trust. Mark Rashid says this is the type of leader a horse is looking for. There are so many trainers out there. Its a case of picking a bit from here and a bit from there.
FreshStart 9 post s 20-Jun-2008 9:31 AM	Hello RedsMom and demelza. I'm looking forward to getting to know everyone and all about their horses and experiences. It's good to have a choice in NH trainers, isn't it. I prefer Clinton, just because he does show you what to do with a belligerent horse, although he is just as sensitive as Parelli when respect isn't an issue. I prefer his under saddle training techniques too. But there you go - you pick the one that suits you and your horse. I have a lot of admiration for Parelli. I wish this bronchitis would clear up so I can get started, and I sure will keep you posted as we go along. ---------- "Two eyes are better than two heels" Last Edited on 20-Jun-2008 9:41 AM
dog-shrink 272 post s 21-Jun-2008 4:30 AM	Hi Fresh. Yes my aussie has a horn or as the english call it "a pommel". I feel lost without it. I hold onto it going downhill or when I'm nervous, much better then snatching at the reins which I still do when frightened. I'm considering getting another lighter aussie to take to my lessons, I really don't get on in english anymore. (my husband thinks I've been on this forum too long as I now talk about the "horn" and going on "trail rides" rather then "hacks" and I'm teaching Iroquois neck reining .........Sounds so much more me though! ---------- Bitless - not witless!
plum1 90 post s 21-Jun-2008 5:31 AM	I love Clinton too, mate! Parelli is master horseman, and I love watching him, but I think he overdoes the horseanality thing. Mark Rashids book are a true inspiration. I think all these people are talking about essentially the same thing, just different approaches. Parelli gets pretty firm when necessary. I just find Clinton the most straight forward to follow. Good luck and keep us posted.
Holly's Hero 10 post s 28-Jun-2008 7:35 AM	Fresh Start, Don't worry, I have had LOADS of bad stuff happen at the barn (I get embarrassed REALLY easily! Double whammy!). Once I was riding a lesson horse and put him in cross ties to groom him, in front of a stallion's stall of course! And another time I was in a show and took my horse outside to get some fresh air before my class started, BAD IDEA! I got there just as warm-ups were ending, and had to hop on and go into the ring. Of course, I got 1st in pleasure and 2nd in equitation! Ironic, right?
FreshStart 14 post s 29-Jun-2008 10:27 AM	dog-shrink, are you in UK? I was born and grew up in Hertfordshire, riding my pony all over. Hello plum and Holly's Hero. Nice to meet you. I'm over the bronchitis and the weather looks encouraging, finally, so tomorrow is scheduled for Day One in Miss C's retraining programme. Thrilled she won't be! ---------- Fresh Start "Safety First"
dog-shrink 285 post s 1-Jul-2008 2:50 AM	I come from Nottingham (Robin Hood anyone????)but have lived in south west France for 12 years. I would never have been able to have a horse in the UK, I rode at stables. Now I have my own little ranch ha ha!!!! With my corral (my horsey friends have arenas or schools, I have a dirt corral)I ride aussie, bitless,barefoot and go out (sort of) on trail rides. Some days I feel so happy I have all that. ---------- Bitless - not witless!

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