I'm sorry you fell off and got scared. It's my experience that all riders catch this sudden fear at one point or the other, and has to go through it.
Are you comfortable with mounting and riding at a walk and trot? Then you can start there, with no demands for cantering until you feel less nervous, but don't wait too long, or you will "spoil your fear", and it will get a better grip on your mind.
It's common to fret about the same bad thing happening every time all of a sudden. Remember that these things DO NOT happen every time! Remember all the times you've been succesfull!
Then try to find a docile horse and an instructor you really trust, and ask to be long-lined so that the instructor has the horse under control. Then you can hold on to a handle and just work on relaxing yourself. Start by standing in the stirrups so you don't squirm or go all stiff in the saddle the first times - that wil make it difficult for both you and the horse.
Work with mental images - like picturing yourself safe and relaxed and cantering in a balanced manner. Or just giving the aids in a proper way. Start where the anxiety starts and work forward.
If you keep picturing bad things happening... well, you get the picture, I'm sure.
These things takes time! You can't force them, but you do need to challenge yourself, and set your mind. Sounds real easy, but it isn't always.
Best of luck!!!

Kicki, thanks for your support! I'm in the middle of scheduling with a new riding instructor. I haven't rode in a couple years, but I am comfortable at the walk. The trot I probably need to work on. Thanks again. :)

I was afraid of canter, I didn't fell off but the horse scared me and I'm a begginer... I took more than 1 year to pick up where I was before I got scared off... and what really helped me beside a great horse and a great instructor was always look straight ahead, where I want to reach and try to put in my head that no matter how the horse goes (walk, trot, canter,etc), just matters tha I get where I want... that way I didn't worry so much with the canter, and I was able to relax more...

Hi Kicki, If you are afraid of going faster perhaps starting in a nice sized round yard, maybe 35 feet round and getting the pace you feel ok with going in there. Then progressing to a small paddock or arena, then a dressage sized arena, then something bigger. Horses tend to go a steadier pace if going around the same area. If horses takes fright and have a wide open space in front of them - their survival instinct could think 'run away' for their lives and gain pace. If that happens they are thinking about what they imagine might be chasing them and have forgotten about you. It's good to train your horse to respond to turning in a tight circle both ways in a walk and trot and keeping it in the circle until it stops. Then you reward it by releasing it's head. while in those enclosed areas and then when you do canter you can practice bending them in the circle because it's real hard for them to 'run away' if they are going in a tight circle. You feel safer because you know at any time you can slow your horse by turning it in a circle. It' called a one handed or reined stop. It's one of the most effective safety rules every new rider should learn to teach their horse. Knowing this is something that can encourage you to be braver out of an enclosure. It's also real hard for a horse to rear, pig-root or buck or even run backwards with it's head pulled to one side. Robyn

Hi Horse Addict
One time I was thrown off a horse and ended up in the hospital for a few hours, a few months later I was trying to ride him with an instructor, and she go me doing a specific excersis that builds up your confidence on the horse.
what you do is you have someone lunging you (better for that person to be experienced with working t=with horss), then you put one hand on your hip and the other hand you rest on your leg. first you start going at a walk and then a trot and then into a canter and if you want you could try a gallop.
when it was done to me I was terrified at first, but that truly and utterly broke me fear of riding that horse again.
Hope it helps you
HorseCrazy

Hi-
I would just suggest that having a calm, obedient horse is huge. I've never really been afraid to canter, and I LOVE galloping, but my horse started bucking really bad one time when I was cantering, and I almost fell off, and that made me wary of cantering again for a while. So definitely, a calm horse is good for overcoming fear!!!

Hi Horse Crazy! Thanks for your advice. :) I remember when I fell off, The horse ran over my leg. I was injured, but thankfully not very badly. I didn't have to go to the hospital. I got back on a horse a couple weeks later under a different instructor. Haven't tried the canter since I fell off. I probably will in the future.

Do you ride English or western? I was taught to ride bareback, and never sat in a saddle until I could walk, trot, canter gallo,jump, and turn small circles. When I got a saddle, it felt could not come off. Maybe you coul learn to walk and trot bareback and ride bareback for a while, then go back to a saddle. Or just break into a canter for a few strides, than trot again.
Good luck

I learned how to ride, bareback, when I got my first horse.
Dad bought the horse but not a saddle. Today when I feel nervous on a horse,I drop my stirrups and and very quickly get the balance point, an instructor used to say "find your seat bones and breathe" I hold my breath when I am nervous and it makes the horse figure something is not quite right.
Monty teaches alot about breathing and staying calm when working with your horse, on the ground and when you are riding. I will be 59 soon and I learn something new everyday from the Uni and the the other students questions and comments about their lives with horses.
learn

s

reall

I ride english, and the next riding lesson that I'm going to do, I will probably try the canter again after I'm more comfortable. It usually takes me a few minutes to get used to the horse's movement after I mount up.

Hi Horse Addict
.
Bare back riding is a great idea. I was in the same boat as mssmith599 - I had a horse but no saddle for quite a while. This was actually my Auntie's doing because she was of the belief that if you can do it bare back; you will have no trouble in the saddle...
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Not sure what your riding instructor would think about bare back riding - but you could always ask the question if you feel that doing it is a viable option for you that will assist in building your confidence.
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Riding bare back will certainly improve your leg muscles, your balance and your seat! Also try those exercises that Kicki and Majestic suggested in the Riding for Balance thread posted by Dennis. Doing those will help you improve balance which will help you gain more confidence to move forward with your riding.
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Hope all goes well for you :-)
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Kind regards,
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Gen

Thank you to all who have contributed on this subject. I just had this very thing happen to me last week. I've been riding for a year and was working with a horse quite a bit more spirited than the one I started on. I was in an indoor arena and had a trainer with me. The horse has a tendency to take off at a full gallop when you ask for a canter and this time I lost my balance and stirrups and fell hard. I had to role to avoid being run over.

I'm fine, but it taught me that I need to review and continue with the basics for a while with the first horse I worked with. He is older and more calm. I need to get more confidence and work on balance before I ride another horse with so much spirit.

Anyway, Thanks to HorseAddict for writing in.

Hi Gen! I've never tried bareback riding, but I'll talk to my instructor about it.

maderighteous, I'm sorry about your experience, I had an accident similar to your's.

Hi again Horse Addict
.
Make sure if you do give this a go, you are on a nice steady horse. You can also use a Bare Back Pad too to help you grip a bit better with your legs and your pants won't get so dirty :-)
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Good luck :-)
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Kind regards,
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Gen

Hi Gen, not sure if I'm going to ride bare back, but I'll see what my instructor says.

Hi again Horse Addict. As long as you feel comfortable and are safe - that's the main thing :-)

Hi,

i know your probably sorted now but just in case, i have i 4 year old who is completely mad, she is just so fast that now only i can ride her - but since i have had so much practise on other horses, especially on stubble fields, i can now just sit back and enjoy her mad moments and then once she has calmed down again i just walk her for a moment and then carry on with what i was doing.
So to answer your question - I was terrified to start with but after at least ten times of fallen off!, i can now just relax and enjoy my horses no matter how fast they go,
Ellie

lol, thanks Ellie.

I'm going to a lesson soon, and hopefully learn how to canter. I hope it works out.

Good luck Horse addict. Try to relax and remember to keep breathing as it is more fun that way for both you and the horse!

Thanks Maggie! I will try to remember. :)

Well, here's an update, I didn't canter just yet, I need to practice a little more on maintaining my sitting trot then I can canter soon.

Good on you Horse Addict :-) Keep up the good work! xo

I will Gen! How's the introductory courses by the way?

It was GREAT!! Thanks for asking :-)
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You will love it when your turn comes :-)
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Participating in the course filled in a lot of gaps for me regarding the finer points and process of Join-Up and Long Lining and right from the first time I watched Lynn do a Join-Up demonstration, I could see so much that I had missed before. It was also great to watch the other students. Everyone brings something different to the table of learning in group situations.
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I am trying to be ready to do my exams in December this year. Fingers crossed, I will be ready :-)
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See you later and keep safe.
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Kind regards,
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Gen

Hi Gen,
So you've done your Intro Course at Lynn's!
There will be a lot of learning to do from the Manual, I guess a big part of it is not new to you.
Go and sit with the learning early enough, it takes some time to get the whole picture.
I will keep my fingers crossed for you too, you've got what it takes to make it!
If there's anything I can help with, let me know.
Good luck,
Miriam

Glad to here about your experiences Gen! Good luck on your exams.

Hi Miriam and Horse Addict
.
Thank you both so much for your encouragement and support. It means a lot to me.
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Miriam, Lynn was great and the course was as you said it would be :-)
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Even though the manual is pretty huge, I am finding it very very good. Some is new, some isn't but everything in it is making so many bits and pieces of information fit together and make more sense. My favourite motto is:
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"you don't know what you don't know"
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And I am finding out heaps that I didn't know :-) which is so great.
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I went to the course with an open mind, knowing full well that I may not have what it takes to do this work. But after attending, I really feel like I can. I will be crossing my fingers and toes too! Breaking old habbits and memorising the correct processes are the hardest parts I think. And once you get some practical instruction, you see more in the online videos too.
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Good luck with your exams too. When will you be doing them or have you done them already?
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Kindest regards,
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Gen

Hi Gen! Is the manual that huge? What are you learning about in it?

Hi Horse Addict
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Yep, its pretty big, but I don't feel that its anything for people to be concerned about. If you are interested in a particular topic, no book is too large or has printing that is too small :-)
.
Wow, where to start with what's in there... There is information about psychology, anatomy (in detail - excellent), information on Tack, nutrition, confirmation (I am really looking foward to getting to that part), breeding - you name it about horses and I reckon it would be included in this manual.
.
Those involved in its development have done a great job ;-)

Hi Gen! Looks like a full education about horses in that manuel.

Update: I took a lesson, and I was able to do a couple steps of the canter. Maybe next time I can do a full canter.

Well done!! Great news. Thanks for updating us.

Hi Gen,
Rereading this thread, I found your question from September 25 about my exam! Sorry, I never saw it, but now I hope you'll find the answer.....
I did my Intro-exam last April and stayed for the Advanced course. The exam gives a lot of space for personal choices, still you need to have it all in place. I'm sure that any person that really studies the manual will be able to answer the questions. Since only those, who have sent in enough and adequate videos, will be invited to come up for the exam, I guess the practical part shouldn't be a problem, too.
Let me know when you're going to do your exam! Good luck and happy learning,
Miriam

Hi Horse addict. I'm still at the stage of wanting to canter at will, but don't have the nerve. I find it helps to join a hack where they canter in a nice controlled manner and you don't have to do anything but hold on and relax. Stephen

Stephen and horse addict
f you want to improve your confidence and skill riding take as many lessons as you can afford. You are never to good or too old not to take a lesson or two. I had a trainer how would watch me ride and he would just say one thing. Maybe tow or three words. That was the lesson and if I followed what he told me I improved greatly. He was a master at breaking down a problem and making a simple explanation and then walk away and let you work on it. My issue use to be not keeping my horse collected enough for the show ring I would be showing and as I passed my trainer if I were riding correctly he would say nothing. If I was not he would softly say "collect" The point is take advantage of other peoples knowledge and enjoy the results!

Cheers

Dennis, I've been taking lessons whenever I can. Riding has gotten better.

Horse addict
That is great!! I know it can be a real expensive but the return is great. Also don't hesitate in asking for help for a particular problem you may be having. It is sort of like going to the doctor. They cannot help unless you tell them the problem

ok Dennis, thanks! :)

Thanks Denis
I've just started to have lessons. Kara is really my daughters horse but I think it must be a childhood dream to ride - preferably stuck like glue.I've joined a ride with several older ladies and me an older guy - I'm sure we are quite a sight!

Stephen
Your are never too old to ride. As long as I can get in the saddle I am riding. I started using a mounting block, not to make easier on me but easier on the horse. You don't pull the saddle out of position or through the horse off balance. My trainers father rode every day until he was 81He would ride 3 to 5 horses a day and my grandfather rode into his 60's. I am in my late 60's and have no intention of stopping. I am sure you and the ladies bring a smile to alot of people!
Cheers

Wow Dennis, that's pretty old!

It doesn't seem old when you get there!!

My husband is 61 and hasnt ridden since he was a teenager, he just got his horse a few months ago and when the weather permits, he intends to ride every chance he gets. So far, it hasnt been good, weatherwise, either a lot of snow, mud, ice, or wind. We dont have an indoor place, just out in the pasture. I am in my 50s, and cant wait for nicer weather so I can finish training my filly so we can ride together. At least my husbands horse is already trained! But my Princess wont take long before I can ride her. Just need some decent weather. And no, Maggie, it sure doesnt! And like you, Dennis, I dont intend to quit as long as I can get on a horse. We arent old, we are EXPERIENCED!

Just remembered, the owner of the ranch my husband works on is in his 70s, still rides, and his father was out helping the guys drive cattle until last year, he passed away 2 weeks ago, he was in his mid 90s.

I am sooo glad I am not the only one that has been through that fear! I got my own new horse, and I was fine with the lope, but terrified to run. I had run a horse before but almost fell off and had been scared ever since. Well one day, at age 14, we were in an indoor arena, and my uncle was standing next to my horse. He knew I had it in me to stay on the horse and keep her in check, so he slapped her on the butt. She moved off to a very quick lope, then into a run. It all happened so quickly that I sat as I normally would and just continued around the arena. Now I am not saying that is the best way to go about things. But I had 'spoiled my fear' like someone mentioned above and needed that push. I understand the fear, and wish I had all these opinions then to help me with it!

UPDATE: Success! I've cantered a couple times smoothly, but short. Little baby steps, my instructor tells me I could compete.

Congrats!!! I'm so happy for you. :)

Well done Horse addict - this is great news. All the best now for future canters - its a great gait.

Yep, smoother than the trot!

Have a Happy Fourth all who are in the U.S.A!

Hi horse addict
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Congratulations on your success!! I just saw your post. Good on you ;-)
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Kind regards,
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Gen

Thanks Gen! :)

Hi Horse Addict,
I have just read your posts and admire your willingness to keep trying.
I had the same horse for 27 years, an Arab, he was four and very green when I learned to ride on him and 31 when we finally had to put him down due to untreatable cancer. We had a fantastic relationship together and I trusted him so much!We did lots of trail riding and rounding up cattle.
I bought a new horse last year, an Arabian who was being ridden by a nine year old. We started well, on our first ride about seven helicoptors flew over at a low height and he handled this beautifully. A few rides later he went down on all fours while we were just walking. It took a long time to get a diagnosis but we found that he had Ross River Virus that affects humans and horses here in Australia. The short end to this long story is that after many years of riding I had become very anxious and am slowly regaining my confidence. I have a great husband and daughter who ride and a very good friend who encourages but doesn't push me too hard.
Spend time on the ground with your horse, get confident around him, take things slowly and find people you trust who will allow you to progress safely.The principles that Monty teaches about partnership with this wonderful animal will help you to be safe and have fun!
Striders rider.

I got a riding lesson tomorrow I haven't ridden in a year, so it should be interesting.

Horse Addict - think about being calm - a horse will know if it is for real or not - they are very intuitive. Before you ride raise your shoulders up and then let them drop breathing out at the same time. Do this a few times and feel the relaxation in them. This is what you want when you are riding. We people tend to hold a lot in our shoulders and it is a good place to start the relaxation process. Try very hard to eliminate all thoughts of your fall or falling and just concentrate on what you are doing. Stay in the moment and hopefully you will get to a point where you are comfortable with what you are doing and the horse will know that and respond in kind. Good luck - I hope I get to hear how you go before I sign off. Cheers Jan

Thanks giffo girl! The lesson went well, I do need a little more practice though. Didn't do any cantering this time I just did alot of walk and trot work.

I found a riding instructor that is closer, so I think I'll be riding more often now. I'll keep updating......

Horse Addict - walk and trot is a great way to get your confidence back. There is no need to be doing any more than that until you feel ready and you know you won't tense up and therefore encourage the horse to react. As I am on my last day on the Uni I just say best wishes and keep on the way you are going but ensure your new instructor is the right one and doesn't push you to do anything you are not ready for. You determine the pace you work at but make sure your instructor knows your nerves issues and if he/she is any good they will take care of you. Good luck, Jan

Great to know you are back to riding again, Horse Addict. Slow is good while you build up your confidence and improve your balance etc. Cantering can come much later. Have fun and enjoy!

Thxs for the encouragement Jan, my instructor seems to be the type, that doesn't push me to do things that I don't feel I'm ready to do, she asks me what I feel comfortable doing. Sorry to see u go Jan.

Thxs Maggie for the encouragement too!

She sounds like a good teacher for you and that is sooo important. Keep at it and you will do well with the outlook you have. Best wishes Jan

Got another lesson tomorrow, we'll see how it goes!

Hi Horse addict, I know exactly what your going through. Last year I backed my young horse that I was starting (after being out of the saddle for 2 years) and was doing quite well for a few months before we had an incident with the saddle slipping and I came off quite severely.

Now I have another young horse who is just about to get started under saddle and the thought of riding any horse terrifies me. I'm sending this one to a professional but have arranged lessons with an instructor around the corner from where I am to try and gain my confidence back. I have found that my only motivation to do it is that I don't want to let my new boy down when he comes back from the trainer and he has such amazing movement and willingness to work that I know I'm going to need every shred of my confidence back to be able to train him up to compete in Western events.

(I didn't sell my other one because of the accident, I sold him as he was just to small due to being quite neglected before I got him as a 2 year old. I started him under saddle at 5 and he was still 14hh and I felt too big for him)

Hoping you have a lot of luck with your new trainer (and hoping I do too)
Denea (Perth, Australia)

Good luck with it, Denea. It is always hard coming back after a bad fall. Is it possible to start your riding again on a quieter older horse before riding your young one. In this way you may build up your confidence first so that you can then be more relaxed for you youngster. They tend to pick up on our nervousness so readily.

That's the plan Maggie. I'm going to a riding school around the corner so that I can 'use' a nice quiet horse that I know is going to be safe. Will do a few lessons there to build my confidence back up before I send my boy to the trainers.

That is great Denea. Good luck with it all and keep us posted.

My lesson got rescheduled so I'll let you know how it went. I'm sorry about your incident Denea. :(

I did better today with riding, I learned how to balance myself a little better. I got a new photo here of myself and the horse that I'm riding, he's a buckskin quarter horse.

Well done Horse Addict. Like the new picture.

Wonderful news Addict, so glad its working.

thxs guys. :)

He's very cute. Glad to hear your doing better.

Yeah he's a cute and funny horse, when I had him at the trot during the lesson, he was trying to chase a butterfly that flew in front of him. Lol!

Hi folks! Guess what? That horse that u see in the picture I get to partially lease for one month, I'm gonna be doing a lesson one day and then the next 2 days will be practice rides, hopefully this will help me. Leasing starts tomorrow. Wish me luck! BTW I noticed that the Equus university been changed a bit. :)

Wow! Very best of luck horse addict. I am so happy for you. Have fun and enjoy the month. I am sure your riding will really improve!

Wishing you lots of joy, Horse addict!!! :)
(I noticed the change in the board too! Looks great!)

Lesson and practice ride went great, I seem to be getting better,

Thats great news :-)

That's wonderful Horse Addict. Am glad your doing well. He is a cutie. I agree the board looks good.

Yeah, he's a cute horse very gentle and calm personality, it's what I need!

I did a practice ride today, I'm seem to be posting trot alot better than I was, my instructor had me doing circles, I don't seem to be to good at those, I do half a circle, than I end up making it look more like a square, lol! My lease is nearly up, and since winter's approaching I'll probably wait to renew the lease until next year. I got a new job btw, it seems to be going okay so far.

Hey everyone, it's been a while since I posted in my thread just wanted to give everybody an update on what's been going on, I've started leasing the same horse again, and I've been training to get ready to show in July, I had a small set back a couple weeks ago, I was in a ring trotting him around when he had suddenly spooked and I fell off, I didn't get hurt or anything, but I was real shook up. After I fell off, I took him by the reins and walked him around where he had spooked to figure out what had scared him, it was a large light bulb that someone had left at the outside of the ring, that is used to hang on top of the indoor where I was riding. I walked him by it a few times, until he calmed down, then I slowly got back on. My confidence is taking it's time to come back, it's better than it has been but it's not 100 percent back yet. It did help, when I did another join up session with him, so some of the trust is back, I know I do have to have some trust in him if we are to work together as a team. This horse doesn't normally spook, he is very mellow, young children have ridden on him.

Hi Addict, That's great to hear your getting back into it. I've been doing lessons as well. (Had to hunt all over Perth for someone who will instruct me in a western saddle as I can't ride english) I have done 2 lessons with her and she has me willing to ask for a trot and canter so am getting there slowly. I have a lesson on my boy while he's at the starters next weekend so that will be interesting. Will make sure I post on my thread on the facebook page how we went. I'm so proud of how well he's going at the trainers and can't wait to have him home. Don't know what to do with myself at the moment :P

Hi Addict. It's great to hear that things are moving forward. Setbacks are to be expected - in a sense they serve as a good reminder not to get too relaxed and overconfident around horses. Falling off is always unpleasant, but the fact that you found out what made him spook and then got back on shows immense progress in the right direction on your side! :)
Will keep my fingers crossed for the show in July. Remmeber to have FUN!

Nice you were able to lease the horse you are comfortable with. Have Fun and keep riding.