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So I'm far from being a confident rider. I have a lot of issues with fast horses and the feeling of loosing control, and energetic horses scare the crap out of me. I don't have my own horse, and while my trainer puts me on calm horses most of the time, I'm at a riding level where I should be able to handle green or strong horses but I have active panic attacks (diagnosed ones, not just being scared) and I was wondering if anyone knew any ways to help me get over this panic, knowing I can not choose the horses I ride every week.
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Are you taking private lessons or group lessons? Knowing that might help people give advice.
I'd honestly recommend explaining to your trainer, if you haven't already, about your panic attacks. A good trainer will be willing to work with you with matters. It might be worth it to go back to basics if you're given an energetic horse. I'm meaning, the stuff you know by heart. Basically starting at a comfortable level and slowly pushing into what causes the panic attacks, but not to the point that you actually have one.
Even just riding on the lunge line might help. You're still riding, but maybe having the knowledge that someone else is also there controlling the horse will help.
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Eurynome said: Are you taking private lessons or group lessons? Knowing that might help people give advice.
I'd honestly recommend explaining to your trainer, if you haven't already, about your panic attacks. A good trainer will be willing to work with you with matters. It might be worth it to go back to basics if you're given an energetic horse. I'm meaning, the stuff you know by heart. Basically starting at a comfortable level and slowly pushing into what causes the panic attacks, but not to the point that you actually have one.
Even just riding on the lunge line might help. You're still riding, but maybe having the knowledge that someone else is also there controlling the horse will help.
This
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Eurynome said: Are you taking private lessons or group lessons? Knowing that might help people give advice.
I'd honestly recommend explaining to your trainer, if you haven't already, about your panic attacks. A good trainer will be willing to work with you with matters. It might be worth it to go back to basics if you're given an energetic horse. I'm meaning, the stuff you know by heart. Basically starting at a comfortable level and slowly pushing into what causes the panic attacks, but not to the point that you actually have one.
Even just riding on the lunge line might help. You're still riding, but maybe having the knowledge that someone else is also there controlling the horse will help.
I'm taking group lessons as I can't afford lessons on my own. They don't offer lunge line lessons :/
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In that case, just take tiny steps before you take big ones- meaning don't overwork yourself so soon, just start off with a trot lesson and do some patterns, pole work, etc. Maybe even ask your trainer to call out an intro dressage test for you. Once you're getting comfortable with stuff like that, you can ease into your regular routine.
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Even if you are riding in group lessons I would still talk to your trainer if you havent already. As Eury said above, a good trainer will understand and be able to help you work through it gradually even in a group lesson setting. <333 Edited at March 18, 2018 10:46 AM by Libertas Ridge
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Agree with the comments above. ^^ Have you had any bad experiences with energetic horses?Or is it just that thought within its self? I would say,the easiest thing to do is talk to your trainer and go back to groundwork with an energetic horse.If you feel you can control them on the ground,your more likely to feel at ease upon their backs.Maybe spending more time with the horses may help also?If you trust them,your more likely to feel at ease.I have a few trust exercises you can do on horses which will help you feel that you can keep control(Pm me if you'd like them).Perhaps speak to your trainer about having only a few different horses over a few weeks or so,so you can become more confident on those? As they say above,A good trainer will understand and try their best to help,whether it be group or private ^.^ Take things slowly and keep telling yourself that the only way to overcome is to do. <3
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