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[RC] rider fear - AgilbxrOk, I just got back from the previously mentioned ride here in hot, sunny Florida where I came to a very startling conclusion while out riding my brat. I turned thirty not too long ago, and with that, out of nowhere came a healthy respect for the intact quality of my head. Ok, so I'm not sure where it came from, but I came to the conclustion that I am afraid to canter my horse when I'm out by myself on the trails. Now, Alpine is spooky. He spooks at everything. and nothing. While we were corto-ing out there today, he spooked at lizards and logs and dark spots and leaves and wind and once at his own stomach gurgling. The tenser I got, the more he spooked. Talking to myself and telling myself I'm stupid didn't seem to help me any. Where I'm at, if I want to ride, I am going to ride by myself most of the time. If we do have company, Al still spooks, but not nearly as bad. He's not a violent spooker, he just kind of jumps, and I've never come off it, but in the last month or so I've gotten more and more apprehensive about riding him and going any faster than a medium trot. (corto). So, any suggestions out there? Will I eventually just get over it if I continue to ride. I thought about taking some lessons, but he doesn't do this stuff in the ring and I really don't have the funds for lessons right now. Or do I need to trade in my spooky partner to someone who doesn't ride alone as much and find myself a bit calmer creature. I love Alpine to death, and it kills me to even think this way, but neither one of us had fun this morning, and what's the point of doing this if I'm not having fun. On that note, anyone want to trade me one spooky, but fit and sound Paso Fino (kinda dirt colored at the moment, but usually a nice palomino color) for something suitable for endurance riding that doesn't feel the need to jump every 12 strides? Juli ============================================================ Common sense should also be a part of the decision making process. If you see someone who doesn't have any, hand them your tool box. ~ Lisa Salas - The Odd Farm ridecamp.net information: http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/ ============================================================
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