Re: RC: Fear--long

[Bette Lamore <woa@stormnet.com>]

Hi Rhonda
First, I would definitely give her a different nickname!!!!
Next, I would sell her--- quit while you're ahead. We all do that when
training our horses-- end our training session on a good note. Why
shouldn't we give ourself the same kudo. YOu already got right back on
her and rode her after your fall. You don't need to prove anything to
anyone and someone else who has no history with her and knows that she
can be difficult, might have an easier time.
Go back to riding who you enjoy riding!! :-) At least that is what I
would do. Life is too short....
Bette

RhndLev@cs.com wrote:
> 
> I had a major wreck on horseback (on that ornery Appaloosa mare I used to
> have) a couple of years ago and ended up unable to walk for over a week and a
> long recovery.  When I was well enough, I went back to riding my good old TWH
> gelding to get my confidence back.  I started riding the Appy again, but
> remained very fearful of riding with her.  I was fine with Laddie, but not
> the Appy.  I eventually met and fell in love with Special and sold the Appy.
> Special really helped me get over my fears, I thought.  The few times I've
> been afraid on her, she seemed to sense it and slow down for me.  I've also
> started a three year old Arab under saddle without too much difficulty.
> However, apparently, I'm really not over my fears.
> 
> Remember that four year old filly I sold and then bought back because she was
> being starved?  I tried riding her last night.  She's had 60 days with a
> professional trainer, but I still had a lot of anxiety about riding her.
> She's a lot of horse and VERY quick.  [This is the horse that trotted for an
> hour half-starved without ever trying to quit.]  I mounted her a couple of
> times last night to see how she would do.  She stood like a rock.  However,
> the third time I mounted, she flung her head back just as I settled into the
> saddle, and cracked me hard in the mouth and nose.  My husband tried to grab
> the reins to give me time to recover and the filly ducked down and to the
> side and I went off.  The filly went down also.  I waited for us both to
> settle down and re-mounted and went up and down the driveway twice and got
> off.  Getting back on that horse was SO hard.  She's going to be a phenomenal
> horse but I just don't want to ride her.  She moves so fast and there's so
> little horse in front of me compared to Special (15.2 with a loooooong neck),
> that I kept feeling like I was going to come off of the front of her again.
> We do plan to sell this horse eventually, but Knightmare really needs more
> riding experience and I have to ride her because there's no one else to do
> it.  Please someone tell me how to get rid of this fear.
> 
> Rhonda
> 
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-- 
Bette Lamore
Whispering Oaks Arabians, Home of 16.2hh TLA Halynov	
(Yes, really 16.2!)
http://www.arabiansporthorse.com