| Being a nervous horse rider can be a very debilitating | | | | and if you are willing and wanting to achieve the good |
| feeling. You can remember your confident days where | | | | outcomes from horse riding then you are ready to |
| you jumped logs and galloped through the fields and | | | | start working on overcoming your fears. |
| the immense feeling of freedom that that brought with | | | | Another reason for horse riders becoming afraid is |
| it. The smile on your face and spending the rest of the | | | | because of the fear of lack of control. You may be |
| day on a high after a great ride. But now something | | | | afraid that your horse is going to bolt, buck or shy. If |
| has happened and you are afraid to get back on your | | | | you ride or work with your horse in a nervous state, |
| horse, or to even be around your horse. Many others | | | | your horse will instantly pick up on your fear, and start |
| have overcome their fear of riding and you can too | | | | to feel fear themselves. This often leads to them |
| with patience and commitment. | | | | bolting or rearing because they sense that their is |
| The first step in overcoming your fear is to fully | | | | something to be afraid of. So you can see how your |
| analyze why you are afraid. Ask yourself what has | | | | original fear only compounds the problem. |
| changed in your relationship with your horse. Was the | | | | The new rider or the rider returning to riding is also |
| change sudden or does it seem to have been a | | | | often nervous. This can be overcome with the right |
| gradual progression. | | | | knowledge. If a rider is taught not only how to ride, but |
| The first most obvious reason for being a nervous | | | | also how a horse thinks and works, this will assist in |
| rider is that you have been injured in a fall, or you have | | | | overcoming the "newbie" fears. |
| a fear of being injured. I am not going to argue with | | | | If you can reclaim control of your horse, your fears will |
| anyone on this point - falling off a horse hurts! The fall | | | | subside. The best way to do this is to improve your |
| may knock the wind out of you, or you could end up | | | | horsemanship and knowledge base of how to best |
| flat on you back in bed for months. | | | | control horses. Do lots of groundwork with your horse |
| Another point I am not going to argue is that yes, | | | | to improve your relationship and re-establish your |
| horse riding is dangerous. People die and get severely | | | | position as leader of the herd. Groundwork exercises |
| injured every year. However, there are plenty of other | | | | are essential in bonding with your horse as you will |
| outdoor activities that can be deemed to be even | | | | learn his reactions and he will learn yours. This |
| more dangerous, yet these endeavors have their | | | | increases his confidence in you which will in turn |
| enthusiasts as well. Its about being passionate about | | | | increase your own confidence. You will soon be able |
| what you do and savoring the rewards that you will | | | | to hit the trails again and enjoy the time spent with |
| get from it. Weigh up the arguments for and against | | | | your special equine friend. |