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Re: [RC] Do any of you ever get nervous? - Barbara McCraryWelcome to the Coward's Corner. You are not alone. I get near-panic attacks when riding on narrow trails on sides of mountains with steep drop-offs. I used to feel that way on foot, as well, but that is pretty much gone now.I also find that if I am able to ride that same trail over and over several times it becomes familiar and I am no longer afraid. If the trail has a "wall" of trees or brush to break the view of the drop-off somewhat, I am much less fearful, even if the brush wouldn't do much to break a fall. It is not the reality that makes me fearful, it is the way my brain processes the image. For example: if I stood on top of a cliff and there was a railing around the edge, I could look over the edge, because I know I couldn't fall off if I was holding onto the railing. But without the railing, I would be terrified. I work constantly on overcoming this fear and have made progress, but I doubt I will live long enough to become completely fear-free. Practice on some trail that worries you without someone with you. It doesn't help to have someone either pushing you or riding too fast ahead of you. Given a choice, I would insist on being first and insist that the person you are riding with not push from behind. Barbara ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jennifer Adam" <jatatahoe1@xxxxxxxxxxx> To: <ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Tuesday, June 13, 2006 8:08 AM Subject: [RC] Do any of you ever get nervous? Okay - I debated for a while about whether to even ask, but I just have to know. Do any of you ever get nervous on a trail or do you just have nerves of steel?? I was riding a trail yesterday that I had never been on, it was cool and breezy, and we were with another horse that we've never ridden with before. My mare was hard to handle and she started dancing around the trail - near a rocky ledge that kind of freaked me out. She lost her balance a bit but managed to recover and I sort of guided her back on to the path, but my heart was pounding the whole time. Then, a little farther on, she heard another horse trotting up behind us and she spooked and tried to bolt. I got her slowed and back under control, but by then my nerves were shot and I'm sure my anxiety contributed to her over-reactiveness. All I could think was - I must be crazy to think I'm a good enough rider to handle an endurance trail!! So - are you all just that tough that nothing bothers you? Does it just take lots of practice?? =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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