Re: [RC] Do any of you ever get nervous? - Keith Kibler
Christina
Everyone is afraid now and then from something or
another. Many of us are less or more afraid than others. It is whether we
let the fear control us that becomes the important issue.
I get nervous and anxious when I ride my horse alone, so I don't do it
often and if I have too (no one available to ride with me). I really have to
focus on breathing and staying calm. I have had just too many scary things
happen (with my previous horse). Where I ride (rural country
neighborhoods and pockets of woods) most of the time there are lots of "scary"
things (loose dogs, hurricane debris, motorbikes, dump trucks, etc.). I know
there are some people with nerves of steel, but I would venture to say
the majority of us get nervous in response to different situations on the
trail (some people get nervous riding in groups, others alone, others refuse
to take their horse through water, down steep hills, etc.). How do I get over
it? I just force myself. There have been too many other things that I have
been scared to do in life (biggest example is scuba diving lessons as an adult
and sailing lessons as a pre-teen). But I love horses too much that I just
made up my mind I wasn't going to let fear take over yet one more thing. I
decided it was ok to be scared and refuse to confront my fears on some
things (scuba diving), but some things I have decided that I have to
work through. I have started riding away from the barn in small loops by my
self. Each time I add another block. The last time I rode alone I was just a
block from home when I spotted two huge loose dogs (100 lbs each maybe?).
First instinct was to quietly turn for home before they saw me and call it a
day. But then I reminded myself that my horse was just fine with
loose dogs. For the ones that good too close for comfort and seemed a little
agressive, I would trot my horse towards them and yell until we ran them off.
Sure, these particular two dogs were double the size of dogs we had dealt
with in the past, but I knew if I turned around for home, I would seriuosly be
back-tracking and would never leave the barn without another rider. So sure
enough, those two dogs finally saw us and came barreling towards us. As soon
as they crossed into the street, we did the ole' chase and scream trick and it
worked liked a charm. Sure I was a little scared of this dogs, but it is
amazing how fearless you (and your horse) feel when you are telling your horse
that your are going to catch up with those dogs and kill them! Swear words
make all the difference, too! I guess the key is just to lie yourself through
your fears. It's ok to talk outloud to you and your horse. Plus it keep you
breathing so you don't tense up, therefore keeping your horse from feeling
your nervousness. I also sing alot to keep me breathing.
Jennifer Adam <jatatahoe1@xxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
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?? Confessing to being a bit of a coward
- Jen
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