| T.R | Title | User | Personal
Name | Date | Lines |
|---|
| 1220.1 | | DELNI::KEIRAN | | Mon Apr 09 1990 07:14 | 7 |
| Hi Lori,
There is a similar subject in note 1018. Good luck!
Linda
|
| 1220.2 | Love those horses over 10 | PFSVAX::PETH | My kids are horses | Mon Apr 09 1990 09:12 | 5 |
| Don't give up, find yourself an equine senior citizen, they can't be
beat. If your back still hurts may I reccomend a Tennesse Walking
Horse.
Sandy
|
| 1220.3 | STICK TO IT... | ASABET::NICKERSON | KATHIE NICKERSON 223-2025 | Mon Apr 09 1990 09:56 | 10 |
| If you really want to stick with it, get a senior citizen. They really
can't be beat. Also do it with a competent instructor that understands
where you are coming from.
For myself, I don't think I could give it up totally. One thing I do
know that as I have gotten older I prefer my horses closer to my own
age.
GOOD LUCK
|
| 1220.4 | Love those older horses..... | BOOVX2::MANDILE | | Mon Apr 09 1990 14:37 | 24 |
| A suggestion from one who was there (but not as bad)....
My even tempered QH Gelding, who I was making vast leaps
in level and confidence with, bucked me off for no apparent
reason. I was getting into the saddle, when off he went.
I came down, slamming my right side into the ground. Luckily,
the helmet saved my head, but the severe bruising on my hip
and shoulder put me away for three weeks. Confidence level
was shot, of course. A very experienced rider worked my horse
for me, and he showed no intentions of a repeat performance.
Guesses were that the cinch pinched him when my weight hit,
or a bee sting, or whatever.
What I did.......I asked permission to ride one of the lesson
ponies around, BAREBACK. I chose my pal, 20+ yr old Lady,
and around the ring and trails we went. Yes, I fell off once.
Ponies have slipperly backs and choppy trots, but it helped
build back my confidence. I had fun, too, and was able to
relax. It rebuilt my confidence in myself. I also took some
lessons from an understanding instructor on my own horse again,
after riding Lady.
P.S. I'd go for a senior citizen, too.
L-
|
| 1220.5 | I know how you feel! | BSS::SACHS | | Mon Apr 09 1990 14:57 | 32 |
|
Hi!
I'm really sorry to hear about your trouble, and boy can i relate!
In my first few months of riding, I managed to get a concussion that
kept me out of work for a week. It was more traumatic in the nerve
department than in physical hurt. And it was just a silly accident,
no funny business with the horse. However, it took me a long
while to get the point that I would even consider riding a horse
outside of a lesson with a skilled instructor.
Last week, my 5 yr old bucked me off and I managed to laugh about it.
Thats a BIG change for me.
Not to diminish the theraputic aspects of an older horse, I would offer
a warning. Not all senior citizens have lost their spunk. My 19
year old can be quite a handful when pushed on the trail. The 5 year
old has much better manners. I guess the thing that helped
me the most through my situation like this was a concerned and caring
instructor. Also, I had lots of friends that kept encouraging
me and talking me through my nervy situations. Yes, I rode an
older horse for a while, but truthfully, it still made me nervous.
And that just feeds itself when the horse picks up on it.
Take your time. Breathe deep. Do only as much as you feel like and
dont let anyone push you faster than you feel prepared to go. It
took me months to get over mine, but I'm REALLY glad I perservered.
Good luck!
Jan
|
| 1220.6 | Start back at the basics. | TOOK::SCHLENER | | Mon Apr 09 1990 15:45 | 11 |
| There was a good article in either Equus or Horseman's Illustrated
about confidence building after an accident. Basically, they stated
that the rider should only do what they feel comfortable with. If you
were jumping at the time, but now feel very shaky, the writer said
don't jump. Do the basics until you feel comfortable enough to start
with some crossrails - basically building yourself (and your
confidence) up.
Good Luck - I think all of us can say "We've been there"!
Cindy
|
| 1220.7 | Got to find that article | REGENT::WIMBERG | | Mon Apr 09 1990 16:18 | 33 |
|
I remember the article mentioned in .6. A few other major points were
work with an instruction who is aware of your situation and who
understands the point is to help you get over your nerves
do this work on a very reliable animal, usually older but not
necessarily and always mellow and forgiving
Don't rush it
Don't feel guilty if you want to give it up. It is a hobby after
all and we are suppose to enjoy them.
I wish I could remember which magazine it was in. I remember reading it
because I had had my accident not to long before then. (I was too
frightened because I don't remember the accident at all, just the
headaches and pain from the concussion and the cracked rib. My mare
clipped herself hard enough to send us crashing to the ground. Imagine
if I hadn't been wearing my hardhat. On second thought, don't imagine.)
It must have been at least a year and 3 months when that article
appeared.
As a final comment - I believe most people are suggesting that you
work with an educated, well mannered companion while you overcome your
fears rather than a youngster or a 'tough' ride. Age tends to help the
well mannered part but its not a given and of course education costs
money.
Good luck
Nancy
|
| 1220.8 | I have one... | BOSOX::LCOBURN | | Tue Apr 10 1990 07:56 | 10 |
| I think the article in question is the one in a fairly recent Practical
Horseman? I know there was one, I read it and thought it was excellent.
I hadn't had this experience myself but a friend went through something
similar and ended up selling her youngster for a quieter more
experienced type. I have a copy of the article in Practical Horseman
if you are interested, I'm not sure what issue it was but I keep
them all and I'm sure I could find it easily enough. Good luck!
Linda
|
| 1220.9 | Don't give up! | MTADMS::DOUGLAS | | Tue Apr 10 1990 09:09 | 20 |
| Hi Lori,
Don't give up! I've been there and back and happy that I am back.
My QH was a horror to ride and totally destroyed any confidence
I had in myself.
He's gone now and in his place is a Trakehener(sp) STALLION !!
I emphesize stallion to point out how individual each horse is.
This guy is allways a total gentleman and really babysits me.
Talk about a confidence builder!
When you find the right horse again, the fear will slowly subside
and you will begin to enjoy yourself again. Another thing that really
helped me was that I would allways trail ride with another person.
It's comforting to have someone with you to coach you through your
fears and just be there for you.
Good luck,
Tina
|
| 1220.10 | Volenteer to help with a riding program. | GENRAL::LEECH | Customer Services Engineer ** We do the job ** | Tue Apr 10 1990 11:01 | 13 |
|
Have you considered volenteering to help with a riding group that helps
disabled children learn to ride? Here in Colorado there is a group
called Acts 19:11 that has a large number of older horses that they use
in a handicapped riding program. They are always short of horses,
supplies, and volenteers to help with the children. You could work with
the horses in a controlled manner and progress to taking rides on one
of the horses.
Just a thought.
Pat
|
| 1220.11 | Back in the saddle | ELMAGO::LFIELDS | | Mon Apr 16 1990 22:00 | 4 |
| Hi to the folks that took the time to respond to my note. I appreciate
the feedback. In the interim, I have met an instructor who I feel
I can trust. I'm going to start back with some individual lessons
for a while. ( On a gentle school horse). Wish me luck, Lori
|