Nervous- Pictures

[Cappysmom]

I have made a trail riding date with 3 other people from my barn for this Sunday and I am very nervous. As you know Cappy and I have come along way this year in confidence level but I usually ride out in the field and have occasionly gone a very short trail ride. My dream is to trail ride more often but I am nervous. I worry about the "what if's" way too much. My last trail ride was a week ago and Cappy got stung my bee in the face, even though he was very upset, he didn't buck or bolt but I did get off as he was throwing his head quite a bit. I don't know why but it has made me nervous again. Any suggestions you can give me to enjoy this ride on Sunday will be kindly appreciated.

[BklynCwgrl]

Having started a very young horse with alot of energy and attitude, I can tell you that my biggest mistake has always been anticipating that she's going to do something.

Sure there are always things that are going to startle a horse...no matter what you do. But...there have been more times than not that I THINK she's going to get upset at something, so I telegraph my nerves and when she gets upset I think THERE! I KNEW IT when the fact is...I did it myself.

So...try to be relaxed and think what a good horse Cappy is and not telegraph your own nerves.

[gbarmranch]

Lunge him first if you think he will get silly - or ride him both days before you go.. it might help...

I am riding a green horse on the trails.. and I do lunge his sorry hinny before I go.. it helps them to settle down a bit.. and me too..

[BklynCwgrl]

That's true...lunging is good! I did used to lunge Hope.

[Cappysmom]

I should also note that Cappy has been out on trails with a young girl from the barn and she says he is very quiet and that she rides him with a very loose rein. I ride English so I am used to that contact. I just have to trust my horse.

[Tobiesmom]

You will do great. Most horses love company, so he'll probably go along like a trooper! Do everything you can in advance to get things in your favor (like the posters have suggested) Ride him long and often in the days before the ride. Lunge him well before you do ride, etc. While the bee incident was unsettling - it does show you really have a good boy on your hands.

I'm also very nervous before I ride with a group that I don't know all that well. Try to relax and focus on the great friendships you are going to develop. Nothing is a better bond than horses!

[Cappysmom]

Thanks guys. I do plan to ride everyday until Sunday and I actually booked a lesson tonight as well. I always feel better after my lessons and I will lunge him before I go to get his attention on me. I will you guys posted on how it went. Oh and I will take pictures as well.

[gbarmranch]

I hope so - we love photos.. and be sure to have a great time..

[Carri]

I am sure you guys will do great!! I agree with lunging him a bit if you are nervous just to take the edge off, even if it doesn't help your nerves, it will help him not to react to them.

What a good boy to do so well with the bee sting! He is a horse you can trust!

[luvmyOTTBs]

I agree, try not to anticpate the worst. Lunging beforehand can give you a idea of how he feels. Try to be confident, horses generally enjoy riding in company, and he will probably enjoy himself. Once you get a solid ride like this under your belt every ride after will go a little smoother. Try to enjoy the moment and have fun. Let your hard work pay off.

[annem]

Cappysmom, It amazes me how many woman appear to be nervous before riding their horse. Whether it be in the arena or out on the trails. I think we are just natuarally worriers.

After riding for 12 years as an adult, I still get nervous before I go out on the trails. I enjoy the ride every time. I absolutely love it, but there is always that "What if" in the back of my mind. It drives me absolutely crazy as I ride a great trustworthy mount. It is just me.

I often ask myself why do I ride? It is because I love it, I love horses etc., etc., so why do I still get nervous until I set off or until I start grooming?

I will never know.

[Gotta Love Duns]

You will do wonderful. Take a couple of deep breaths, give Cappy a nice lunge before you head out and you will have an awesome ride!

[ahlihaff]

I get anxious too. If you keep communicating with your horse's body parts while you ride, there is a better chance he'll stay focused on you and not whatever scary objects/incidents that you may come across along the way.

Looking forward to pictures and reading about your ride.

[kshnooks]

I always get nervous before hand too, just thinking about the "what ifs" and worse case scenarios. However, once mounted everything is ok.

Have faith in your mount, sounds like he already took some things in stride that would spook other horses (like a bee sting, the horse I ride hates flies I can only imagine what he would do if stung!). I'm sure everything will be great and you'll have worried for naught.

[annem]

kshnooks, You'll be surprised at how your horse may react. My horse hates flies and when he got stung by bees just recently when I was on a trail ride, he put his head down between his legs to try and get rid of them, and it felt like he did a bit of a jump but he was actually very well behaved during this fiasco. I don't know if he was considering me, or just a sensible, smart, little guy. I wonder if the having to be tolerant of the flies to a certain degree helped him to tolerate the bee stings to a better degree than he may have. Who knows.

[Jeanie2u_1]

Hope you have fun!

[Gotta Love Duns]

How did your ride go?

[gbarmranch]

I was wondering too.. I hope you had a great time.

[Cappysmom]

Sorry Guys I had to drive down to Peterborough to pick up my daughter so I couldn't post yesterday. We had a beautiful day to ride and Cappy for the most part was really good. I do need a stronger bit because I felt like I didn't have control in certain situations mostly at the canter. I wanted a nice canter and he wanted to gallop. So today, I am going shopping. If you guys can recommend a good bit for trail riding it would be appreciated. Right now I ride in an English Bridle with a D ring snaffle bit. I need something that will give me more control. Oh and I took about 20 pictures so when I get back to work I will post them. The Wye Marsh Trails are beautiful. When we all came back we hosed our horses down and gave them some apples and carrots and then we had a pinic, it was a great day. Thanks again for the great advise. We have made plans to do this more often. Sooner or later we are going to be a great trailriding team.

[gbarmranch]

Sounds like you had fun, for the most part.. and remember, the excitement of riding with other horses may have been part of his issue.. The more you two ride together with a group, the calmer he will get...

Great job.. and admit it - you had a smile from ear to ear when you finished didn't you..