Juli, you will have to deal with your
fear. I deal with mine by riding with someone, singing raucously and
loudly, breathing deeply, concentrating on what a GREAT ride I am going to
have. Your horse or any horse will pick up on your fear and then respond
do it. If you plan to keep on riding, then you need to figure out how to
handle the fear. We all have it, we all have various methods of dealing
with it. I still have fear factors with my 7 yr old arab and I know he
'dinks' with me because he senses it. I don't trust my 16 yr old mare
either, she spooks so quickly that she has already dumped me this spring.
I ride with a nice big horn and I have perfected the right handed death
grip. That is my story and I am sticking to it!! I have no plans not
to ride, and maybe find 25s more comfortable at 63 but I do love my ice
cream while the rest are slogging out those miles while I eat Ben and
Jerrys and watch!! Jeanie
