Facing fears

hippieP · 08-02-2011, 06:01 PM

I am thinking about getting back up on the horse after the last time I was punted off, I say punted since I felt as light as a football when it happened. Have others had to get reacquainted with a horse before? I am not an avid rider but enough that I know if I do not get on the horse soon enough I may never do it again.

ppine · 11-14-2011, 03:07 PM

HippieP,

Evaluate why you came off last time. Try to correct it with foundation work on the ground. Find a knowledgable person to help you. I got back on after a bad wreck and had a worse wreck when running into a mountain lion.

**CozInCowtown** · 11-14-2011, 03:23 PM

You made a major mistake last time.
Allways get right back on after being thrown, unless you are carted off in an ambulance.
It is a life lesson for you and the horse.
DC

Pathfinder1 · 11-14-2011, 08:41 PM

Hi...

I've never been horsie punted, but if I ever was, I've always told myself that I'd NEVER let go of the reins...!!

Grandpa · 11-15-2011, 12:00 AM

I'm afraid I don't have any fears

ppine · 11-15-2011, 11:48 AM

Dear Grandpa,

People that are around horses have been in plenty of wrecks. Please tell your story.

Grandpa · 11-15-2011, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ppine

Dear Grandpa,

With all due respect. That is a bold statement. Please explain to me how you have managed to ride with no fear. Do you ride in an arena on a 20 year old horse? Are you naive? At your age have you decided riding is how you want to go? I have never met any one, even career professionals that do not admit to having some fear when working with equines. How we deal with the fear is what is really important in this context.

People that are around horses have been in plenty of wrecks. Please tell your story.

Dear PPine, First, take a second look at my statement. Ever heard of an oxymoron? Now smile a bit at the contradiction. To make you smile was my intent.
Second. I have been riding since....well, probably before I could walk. By age seven, I had been to the tops of the peaks around here and later in life all through the central Idaho wilderness's packing, hunting and just plain seeing the country. I have definately had a few horse wrecks growing up as well as when rodeoing. Now, I seldom do ride but when I ride, it is not in fear but in confidence. Confidence in myself as well as confidence in the horses. Sure, something bad can always happen, but I don't dwell on those, just prepare for them. Bad can also happen driving to town in a car, or hiking through bear territory, but I do those things without fear as well.

SpencerT · 11-15-2011, 10:54 PM

I say just go for it. If it's something you enjoy, then don't let one incident keep you from enjoying it. I've heard of stories of people nearly killed or injured doing something they love, only to recover and go back to doing it again.

Judy Ann · 11-16-2011, 03:01 AM

Good advice Spencer!

ppine · 11-16-2011, 08:23 AM

Grandpa,
Pardon my impolite response. I like this forum because people have a great attitude. I don't mean to spoil it. Now that I know you have been in the packing and rodeo games, it is obvious where you are coming from. Packing mules and chasing cows have always been my main interests.

In 2007 I was in a bad wreck after running into a hornet's nest and landed on my neck. Happy not to be in a wheelchair, I got back on. Three weeks later I crossed paths with a mountain lion and broke my femur in the saddle. These experiences have motivated me to urge caution to people who thing you should always go for it.