Ridecamp: Re: [RC] Helmets and fear--longeline lessons?

In a message dated 8/14/2002 7:54:31 AM Central Daylight Time, mmieske@xxxxxxxxxxxxx writes:


> I don't come off any more (knock on wood) and I finally feel "free" of the fear though I still carry a lot of caution with me.  I had to learn to really trust my horse...


I'm really new to this board, and this is my first post.  This discussion has hit a strong chord with me. 

Last year, I had nine "unscheduled dismounts" from the same horse.  I'm not a great rider, but I'm not a bad one, either.  My horse would get really, really excited, half-rear, and whirl around so fast it left me hanging in mid air.  Then he'd gallop home.  I was never seriously hurt, but I'm "of a certain age", and a fall that would not bother someone younger would send me to the hospital, or worse!  

I sent him to a trainer for 30 days, who had the same thing happen to him, but he didn't come off.  He said he wished my horse was a reining prospect!  Anyway, he figured out the horse had been abused sometime in the past and was deathly afraid of the rein ends hitting his neck.  I get the horse back, and my first ride out, he did it again.  

I finally pulled him off sweet feed, which has eliminated about 90% of the problem.  But I don't trust him completely, and I sure don't trust my ability to stay on him.  I'm not ready to give up, though.  We're also working on the barnsour problem!

Rather than bareback, I want to try longeline lessons with my eyes closed.  It will force me to pay attention to the horse's movement, deepen my seat, and, hopefully, develop confidence.

Anyone have any experience with this?

         Elizabeth Braznell