Your quote about the tea bags was priceless! Since you have been such a generous source of advice about horseish things, I was wondering if you have any little tips or advice concerning a troubling experience. During our last two lessons, Sienna has become increasingly fearful and nervous. I think this is due to the fact that we have started jumping bars that are about 1 foot off of the ground instead of just laying on the ground. The jump of the horse is a little bit different than when the horse just sort of 'trots' over the bar. Anyways today she did not give enough rein during the jump and had a scary moment. She did not fall, she just was off balance. She became very upset, crying and demanding to get off the horse. She left the ring and cried for a long time. I was unsure if I should console her or just carry on with the class to not 'embarress' her or interfere with the instructors approach to this type of situation. Well I thought the instructor did a great job. He left her alone for a little while and then rode through the whole course at a strong gallop with her sitting in front of him. She was even smiling a little after the completed the course 4 times without stopping. Just a note we do not gallop this course only trot through it so it was something exciting and different to gallop through. Anyways, she is still a little nervous and I am not sure what is the best way to encourage her to keep at it, to quit and try something less 'adventurous'. She said that it was her last class before the ride with her instructor and we haven't talked too much since. Do you know of a good way to help a scared rider or is it basically up to them? Any tips on how to help her not be so afraid? Well anyways sorry that I wrote a BOOK! If you ever need advice on hyper golden retrievers, beta fish or little girls I will be more than happy to help : )
Ashley, Unless she is hurt I would leave it to the instructor. She is a little girl and these things can be scary, but horses are sentient beings and things will go wrong. I would not make a big deal out of this, her instructor got her comfortable and happy again, which was a great move on his part, so I'd act normal about the whole thing. If she decides she doesn't want to ride anymore after a couple more times, then I would let it go, but I would like to see her try before that decision gets made. Our person starts to be formed young and, in my opinion, if we start to run from that which scares us we will be doing a lot of running. But, she shouldn't have to do something she no longer enjoys, but she needs to try again before that is decided. Probably more than you asked for! I think your instructor and you did right by leaving her alone and then making her comfortable again. And, if she finds she likes to ride, but not jump, I think that is fine. I have never wanted to jump a horse! Good luck and I'm glad she was not hurt.
Thanks so much for your response. My husband and I came pretty much to the same conclusion last night, and today at breakfast she told her Dad about the incident but did not make any comment about quitting so i just left it alone. Hopefully her ride with the instructor and the 'it was no big deal' response by everyone helped her to move on. We will see how the next lesson goes. I would love for her to stick with it and if she wants to 'quit' or try something that is not jumping I want her to make a level headed decision and not run away fro her fear : ) Once again I am really grateful for your advice. I feel really out of my league with the whole horse experience and your advice to just sort of respond with common sense makes me feel a little more confident. Thanks again!
Ash
BTW I asked the instructor about our horses Sienna is riding and Arabian and I am riding a Mangalarga Marchedor. Sienna's horse is a deep reddish brown with black edges and my horse is taller and white with little beige freckles. I remembered seeing that you love Arabians and was happy that Sienna was riding one!
I think she will be fine. She simply had a 'moment' and we all know what that is like. I looked up the breed you ride. They are the National Horse of Brazil and an Iberian breed. I own two Lipizzan crosses, so I have an idea what your horse is like to ride. I know you must really enjoy it. I don't like Arabians, I live Arabians! I thought you may have some at the stable.
4 comments:
Dear Sandra,
Your quote about the tea bags was priceless! Since you have been such a generous source of advice about horseish things, I was wondering if you have any little tips or advice concerning a troubling experience. During our last two lessons, Sienna has become increasingly fearful and nervous. I think this is due to the fact that we have started jumping bars that are about 1 foot off of the ground instead of just laying on the ground. The jump of the horse is a little bit different than when the horse just sort of 'trots' over the bar. Anyways today she did not give enough rein during the jump and had a scary moment. She did not fall, she just was off balance. She became very upset, crying and
demanding to get off the horse. She left the ring and cried for a long time. I was unsure if I should console her or just carry on with the class to not 'embarress' her or interfere with the instructors approach to this type of situation. Well I thought the instructor did a great job. He left her alone for a little while and then rode through the whole course at a strong gallop with her sitting in front of him. She was even smiling a little after the completed the course 4 times without stopping. Just a note we do not gallop this course only trot through it so it was something exciting and different to gallop through. Anyways, she is still a little nervous and I am not sure what is the best way to encourage her to keep at it, to quit and try something less 'adventurous'. She said that it was her last class before the ride with her instructor and we haven't talked too much since. Do you know of a good way to help a scared rider or is it basically up to them? Any tips on how to help her not be so afraid? Well anyways sorry that I wrote a BOOK! If you ever need advice on hyper golden retrievers, beta fish or little girls I will be more than happy to help : )
Ash
Ashley, Unless she is hurt I would leave it to the instructor. She is a little girl and these things can be scary, but horses are sentient beings and things will go wrong.
I would not make a big deal out of this, her instructor got her comfortable and happy again, which was a great move on his part, so I'd act normal about the whole thing. If she decides she doesn't want to ride anymore after a couple more times, then I would let it go, but I would like to see her try before that decision gets made. Our person starts to be formed young and, in my opinion, if we start to run from that which scares us we will be doing a lot of running. But, she shouldn't have to do something she no longer enjoys, but she needs to try again before that is decided.
Probably more than you asked for! I think your instructor and you did right by leaving her alone and then making her comfortable again. And, if she finds she likes to ride, but not jump, I think that is fine. I have never wanted to jump a horse!
Good luck and I'm glad she was not hurt.
Thanks so much for your response. My husband and I came pretty much to the same conclusion last night, and today at breakfast she told her Dad about the incident but did not make any comment about quitting so i just left it alone. Hopefully her ride with the instructor and the 'it was no big deal' response by everyone helped her to move on. We will see how the next lesson goes. I would love for her to stick with it and if she wants to 'quit' or try something that is not jumping I want her to make a level headed decision and not run away fro her fear : )
Once again I am really grateful for your advice. I feel really out of my league with the whole horse experience and your advice to just sort of respond with common sense makes me feel a little more confident. Thanks again!
Ash
BTW I asked the instructor about our horses Sienna is riding and Arabian and I am riding a Mangalarga Marchedor. Sienna's horse is a deep reddish brown with black edges and my horse is taller and white with little beige freckles. I remembered seeing that you love Arabians and was happy that Sienna was riding one!
I think she will be fine. She simply had a 'moment' and we all know what that is like.
I looked up the breed you ride. They are the National Horse of Brazil and an Iberian breed. I own two Lipizzan crosses, so I have an idea what your horse is like to ride. I know you must really enjoy it.
I don't like Arabians, I live Arabians! I thought you may have some at the stable.
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