overcoming fear of horses

I am relatively free of any injuries significantly enough to list as major. Although it may take time, you can overcome your fear. Don’t be scared to trade your horse for one that makes you feel calmer and safer. Monty’s Answer: Thank you very much for your question. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. Go back to a point in the desensitization process where you felt comfortable and work up from there again. Although such days may make it feel like you’re not … I have completed 32 of your lessons in 8 days. 5 Steps for Overcoming Horse Riding Fear Your helmet is there to protect your noggin, and a jump vest can protect your vital organs and some of your bones—including your spine. And the good news is that you can change it and become a confident horse rider. [BONUS TIP: Obstacle work that benefits you AND your horse.] Sometimes it may not always be a bad experience, it may just be that you have seen someone else being injured by a horse and now you are afraid to go around them. Choose a method that makes you feel slightly uncomfortable but that you are able to handle. Thank you for mentioning that you have viewed a large number of lessons on my Online University. You're not the only one struggling with horse riding anxiety. You will be able to make the most of your ability and skills when you are relaxed. Simply just being around the horse for as long as you need may help immensely. 31 March 2020. Fear around horses is not limited to riding. My husband adopted a 15 y/o paint gelding (El Nino) and a 17 y/o quarter horse mare (Sugar) from a friend with cancer, who could no longer keep her horses. After specifying their fearful situations, most riders realize that the majority of their riding actually is within their comfort zone, and that helps to increase confidence. My book From My Hands to Yours is a huge part of the education I would recommend. Start with small, actionable steps to begin gradually desensitizing yourself towards horses. However, if you’re still struggling with your fear, consider talking to a therapist. If you feel very anxious or uncomfortable at any point, simply step away. The important thing is not to let yours debilitate you from moving forward. Sometimes it’s all in the energy you get and feel, which in this case comes from your horse. Her focus on developing horse and rider partnerships provides a complete equestrian education for both beginners and advanced riders alike. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. It’s always safer to go back to the basics, where you are comfortable, and build up to where you left off. This site uses cookies. It is an extremely prevalent issue amongst horse enthusiast but sadly it is seldom discussed. Having a fear of horses is a real and tangible experience for many people around the world and, for some, can be crippling. Equestrian Specialist & Trainer. These are a few ways of treating and overcoming Equinophobia once and for all. The first step to overcoming horse riding fear is to ... recognize and admit that you are scared. Your riding coach will also be able to match you with a horse that is suitable for helping you to overcome your fear. To me, horses are beautiful, but large and frightening. Once you've mastered the canter, just continue gradually increasing your speed until you're at a full gallop. If you feel overwhelmed at any point, simply return to a stage where you feel more comfortable and work from there again. Thank you also for considering the course Horsemanship 101 because that would, in a very significant way, increase your educational needs. He believes that while they’re smart, graceful, strong, and athletic, they can also be dangerous when not handled correctly. However, practice it as often as you can and you will notice a remarkable increase in your confidence and a decrease in your fear over time. You can get help and you can ride again, all it takes is time, commitment and that special person to help you. With proper instruction and guidance, incremental and continuous skill development, and the right horse it is possible to work with your fear, any special needs, and sit confidently in the saddle. Finding them can boost your creative problem solving. Originally designed to be a riding school used as a springboard for dedicated students into careers in the sport, Blackhound Equestrian has grown into a hunter/jumper training program for all levels focusing on providing a solid foundation needed for personal advancement in the sport. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. I enjoy them from a distance but am quite fearful up close. Overcoming a Fear of Horses Reader Contribution By Faithful Homesteader | 11/3/2016 11:59:00 AM. Continuing your regular routine (especially if you are returning after a fall off your current horse) may not be the best way to overcome your fear. It could be weeks, months, or years! You will also be able to communicate more effectively with your horse. It’s taken me years to realise this is, and has always been my downfall. When a human is training a horse not to spook, the constant exposure is what eventually makes the horse realize that there's nothing to fear. But the horse won’t judge you. At this point in my answer it is appropriate to remind you that selecting the right horse to be around is a critical issue. It mostly depends on the height and ability of the tween. When you feel ready, ask someone who handles horses if they can introduce you to a calm, gentle horse. Look where you want to go. I read your book “The Man Who Listens to Horses” and have signed up for the Equus Online University. I still kind of am. – Everyone has a bad day now and then. As long as you are wearing boots, it shouldn't hurt too bad when they step on you. While you are visualizing yourself riding in the way that you want to, try to relax your posture and be mindful. I had the same fear but I have fallen and it's not a big deal. Kate Jutagir is an Equestrian Specialist, Hunter/Jumper Trainer, and the Owner of Blackhound Equestrian, a premier training barn located on 65 acres in Castro Valley, California. You can return to the horse at a later stage when you feel ready. Watch the horse from a distance, but don’t go any closer than you feel comfortable with. Trust your horse. https://www.anxietycanada.com/adults/exposure-therapy-specific-phobia, https://www.businessinsider.com.au/eric-berry-overcomes-fear-of-horses-2013-9?r=US&IR=T, https://www.bayequest.com/horsetalk/fear.htm, https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/phobias/treatment/, https://www.horsejournals.com/riding-training/english/hunter-jumper/love-your-horse-riding-scared, http://www.meredithmanor.edu/features/articles/faith/fears.asp, https://www.horsetalk.co.nz/2014/10/01/regaining-confidence-riding-accident/, https://www.equisearch.com/discoverhorses/five-fear-busters-for-riders, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. In my seminars on fear of riding at horse fairs, the room is always jam packed with people, all of whom are greatly relieved to see everyone else there; people of all ages, genders, abilities and experience. Ask Monty: Are you teaching your horse to buck. The best way to go about this process is to find an experienced trainer that can help you through the process. Thank you so much!". I think the same thing could be said for learning to ride a motorcycle or even a bicycle. Making sure you feel safe and comfortable with your horse is vital. The riding coach will find a horse for you that is reliable, safe, and experienced. Besides, most people have fear of horses themselves. The anxiety aroused by these often gentle animals is so common, in fact, that the term equinophobia which means a fear of heights is actually derived from the Greek words "equus" or horse and "phobos" or fear. They will learn to trust you. Now I’m even more fearful. I’ve had little experience with horses except for the occasional nose-to-tail trail ride, maybe 6 of these rides in my life time. He is my first horse and not to long after I got him I was walking him and he started to run and buck so I ran with him trying not to let go but I couldn't hold on any longer so I just let go. When you fall, get back on again and start over with the basics. This consists of slowly acclimatizing oneself to horses by looking at their pictures, thinking about them and gradually progressing to touching or riding them. This article was co-authored by Kate Jutagir. Fear Expands Your Creativity. Her focus on developing horse and rider partnerships provides a complete equestrian education for both beginners and advanced riders alike. Many people feel intimidated when they have to catch, lead or groom an unruly, ill-mannered horse. There is absolutely no disgrace in being respectful of the size and the potential danger connected with the power of horses and their athleticism. Then move up to a canter. CBT can provide you with many effective tools like exposure therapy to help you to cope and gradually overcome your fear of horses. For example, you may be scared of small ponies if you were bitten by one as a child or you may feel fearful of larger horses if you have had a particularly traumatic fall. Horses are large and impressive creatures; many people find that they love the power and majesty of the animals right up to the time they come into actual contact with a horse. You could draw pictures of horses, look at stuffed animal horses, or view horse-themed art. This article was co-authored by Kate Jutagir. Three ways that you can do this are: Spend more time around horses; watch horse movies and shows (a.k.a. Although you may be anxious to get back out on the trail or the cross-country course, you may want to build riding skills and confidence in the ring or arena first. Overcoming fear of horses. In the final analysis, learning to be at one with your horse, confident in your ability to be in the right place at the right time is absolutely essential to the ultimate success of overcoming theses natural fears that are healthy for us to have until we are satisfied that we are in control of virtually all of the potential pit falls that can challenge us on any given day. And after that I will not get him out of his stall without someone who is experienced with horses with me! The horse that you are riding has a major influence on your confidence and fear level. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/6f\/Overcome-Your-Fear-of-Horses-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Overcome-Your-Fear-of-Horses-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/6f\/Overcome-Your-Fear-of-Horses-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid51318-v4-728px-Overcome-Your-Fear-of-Horses-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"