I REALLY want to start horseback riding. REALLY BADLY. I'm fifteen. I love animals, and being around horses is easy for me. I go to my friend's barn and hang out with the horses, brush them, and that stuff.. The only thing that's stopping me is my fear of getting seriously injured or killed while riding.. Recently I've been having anxiety thinking about death and having all my dreams and hopes cut short. That's what's making me nervous to start riding. I'm afraid a horse will roll on me or step on me and fall on me or whatever else.. I know I'll definitely fall off hundreds of times when I start riding.. But I'm just worried. Does anyone have any advice to help me? Anyone experienced something similar? I don't want my anxiety to stop me from doing something I'd love.
2013-08-01T12:58:52Z
I'm perfectly fine being around horses and other large animals, like cows and buffalo and everything.. I know that when I am on the ground I have time to react to a potentially dangerous situation. I'm just afraid of getting up ON a horse.. I used to ride OCCASIONALLY, and never had fear. I've never fallen or anything, so I'm not sure why I should feel so nervous..
Abby Cadabby2013-08-01T13:04:34Z
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It is a very slim chance you will get killed or rolled over especially when you first start off. You are going out to train a green horse where it can get a little dicey depending on the horse. Most horses you will be with, for the most part, will be bomb prove. The instructor will get you on an old pony who doesnt care and is easy to be with. Yes it will be a little nerve wracking but the most youll get when you fall will be some bruises and soreness.
Start slow. Begin with showmanship and halter classes, or maybe even driving (which is a BLAST!). All things that allow you to be near horses, without having to get on one. As you start to build your confidence around them, try getting on and just walking around a small enclosure.
With the help of an instructor, it's less likely you will be over-faced, and thus in danger of falling.
I suggest you read this: http://www.janesavoie.com/article_fear.htm
And this: http://www.janesavoie.com/blog/2-quick-tips-for-coping-with-irrational-fear-while-horseback-riding/
I think reprogramming your brain is going to be a big step in helping you move towards riding. Right now, your thoughts are very negative and paralyzing. If this is something that you experience in other facets of life, you probably need to speak to a therapist (sports therapist, even) or a life coach (keep in mind "coaching" is not regulated, so anybody can say they're a life coach); someone who can help you think more positively.
Don't let anxiety stop you! There is just as much risk of having an accident in a car than riding a horse. What about those older famous eventers, they had to start somewhere. Thinking about it too much will make you even more nervous, which then there is more of a risk of falling than not being anxious. Good luck!!:)
The first time you get up to ride a horse, you don't even have to ride it. Just still on his/her back/saddle and if you want and ONLY if YOU want too, have someone hold the horse's halter/bridle/reins, put on a lunge line or lead line and walk around. Each time you get up there, go a little further and eventually you will be cantering and gallop cross-country.
Two thing you do not say whether you ride "english" or western if western falling off that type of saddle is almost impossible I know because I ride that way, to fall off you are either having blackout's or you have been hitting who hit john too hard (meaning a drunkard) that not to say that you are one. There is an old rodeo saying "there an't a horse that can't be rode and there an't a cowboy that can't be throw'd" remember that if you decide that you will be thrown or you will fall off you will find a way to make that happen, so do not be scared there an't nothing to be scared of and you will find it is great fun ride a horse!