Ridecamp: Re: [RC] Helmets and fear

Seven years ago I went out to check out a horse for a friend who was
considering buying it.  I told the owners that the horses needed to be calm
and well trained for the friend's purpose ( a school horse).

The horse was a six year old Arab and I should have known better. I mounted
the horse with 2 of his handlers holding on to him.  They asked me if I was
ready for them to let him go, that should have been a clue right there.
They let go and he took off towards the barn like a bat out of
hell...bucking the entire way.  He got me off and managed to kick me in
mid-air.

I laid on the ground and moved all my limbs to make sure I wasn't paralyzed
or dead.  The people just kept begging me not to sue.  I didn't.

Ever since I am way more timid than I used to be, that was the fall of falls
for me and it imprinted on my brain.  I still have the fear, but when I'm
getting a little nervous on my spooky gelding I start singing Jimmy Buffet
songs and I find that helps, keeps the brain occupied and confuses the
horse.

C. and Pete ( who knows all the words to 'A Pirate Looks at Forty')

----- Original Message -----
From: "Dolores Arste" <darste@xxxxxxx>
To: <ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, August 14, 2002 7:53 AM
Subject: RE: [RC] Helmets and fear


> So, since so many of you have taken some pretty big spills. Do any of you
> have fear left over?
> And, how do you deal with it?
>
> I was a fearless rider and then had a nasty spill on the road with no
> helmet. unconscious for a day and unable to work for 8 months my brains
were
> fried. I didn't ride for 2 years maybe more. Then a fox hunting friend
took
> me foxhunting and scared the daylights out of me and got me riding again.
>
> But, there is a residual fear a tightness that I did not have before. Its
> there every ride, every time. I am successful most of the time in fighting
> it and going on anyway. After the first 10 miles its gone. Doesn't have
> anything to do with the horse or horses I should say. I'd like to be a
> better rider even though I've bee riding most of my life.
>
> Someone suggested bareback riding to get balance really improved. I am
short
> with short legs so I don't have mush weight to weeble wobble on:) Any
> thoughts?
>
> Dolores
>
>
>
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