Fear

["April" <adlee@mailandnews.com>]

I have often been afraid of my horse.  Not lately, but....When I first bought Apache, I was scared to death to ride him in open areas.  He would run away with me, buck like a fool, and I had absolutely no control of him.  So I dropped back to where we were comfortable.  I went into an arena type area for 2 months.  Changed his bit and we did walk/trot combinations forever.  I am still a little apprehensive when I ride him in the open. but I can ride his bucks and bring him out of a buck.  We're still working on his confidence (I decided he comes unglued in the open), but I'm no longer petrified with fear.

 

I was also scared of picking up his back feet, but my farrier showed me how, I practiced, and now it's no big deal.

 

I think going back to where the rider is comfortable is a totally acceptable thing to do.  Whether or not the current horse is part of the picture is something that the rider will have to decide.  But since I am truely horse crazy, I have worked through my fears.  I hope the original poster doesn't give up on horses!

 

April & Apache (I just like to buck)

Chattanooga, TN