I recently fell off a horse at my lessons.  Does anyone know how to help me get the courage to ride back?
460273
Get someone to hold the horses bridle while you get on,and then let the person lead you around for a while until you get your confidence back.you could also try a different, more placid animal. Falling off is never as bad as it seems,as you found out!
1122993
My Advice (based on my OWN experience)\nPractice, practice, practice. you 2 are a team! Don't enter the arena all nervous about how you'll do, will you palce, don't hit the barrels,ect. Go in the with the thought, this is gonna be FUN! this is what I love to do! If you mess up or something,go back and finish...don't just leave the arena. All beginners are just that...Just beginning.thats why practicing is so very important. when I started, I was 11 and my horse just wasn't fast enough...As I got better, my horse couldn't keep up in time w/ the others. I had to get a faster horse which I started training immediatly, and the following summer when the shows started I finally won a ribbon!!(5th) So I guess what I'm trying to say is Don't expect to win every event every time! took me 2 yrs. to just get a placing. have fun with it. As the summer goes on and the more shows you enter, you will "feel" your strenghts and weaknesses with your horse...and work on any weaknesses!  GOOD LUCK TOMORROW!!!HAVE FUN AND LET US KNOW!!
975003
Take him away for a horseback ride. It can be soothing--it also lets you know that sometimes you just aren't in control of things, like being on a horse. You have to trust that the horse is going somewhere.\n\nOr, if that's just too much, steal him away and surprise him with his favorite hobby--sports, music, etc. Go see a game with him! \n\nOf course, the old stand-bye is the famous cookie or cake. \n\nMost of all, just be there for him. That's the best thing you can give to him.
94889
Try the "Get Fit Stay Fit" by David Zinczenko (www.absdiet.com).  It has many good, overall body strenghening exercises.  I ride horses, and have found these workouts to be the most beneficial for riding fitness.
914750
I'd talk to the guy you tapped and clear the air there first.  Be humble and apologize.  Tell him that you didn't feel the tap, and make sure he's okay.  Potentially, you're going to be training with this guy for a long time... maybe years.  It's very possible that he did tap and you didn't notice.  When your adrenaline gets going, particular when you're new, you can get excited and crank on a submission a little too much.  I'm not saying you did... I'm just saying it's possible.  \n\nI wouldn't worry about the rest.  Just do your best and listen to your instructors.  Try to apply what you learn and get better.
740224
its called a charley horse....hurts like nothing u have ever felt b4, huh? i get em' too...either wait for it to go away, or get up and walk on it. drinkink lots of water should help in preventing them! try taking tylenol or something like that to help with the pain the next day
372362
You've practised, you have your times all down, you know you can make it. So it is time to believe in yourself. Take your time and meditate, or pray before the show starts. So once you're out there enjoy your run, run like hell and give a show! I know about competing under pressure, though in a different sport (dressage). A trick that works for me is consciously thinking about every step I'm going through and making it the best, (forgetting the rest) and on the other hand performing for my public, giving 'em a show! I hope something works for you. Good luck!
1159000
lie down in a salt bath .whirlpool if available.trust me i know a lot about sore muscles.when you almost gallop on a horse bareback in tight circles, you get a lot of experience about sore muscles and backs.\n                                          ~~11yearoldhorseguru~~
937426
You should get it back eventually...you may want to consider seeing a doctor especially if it was a hard jolt.
714558
Ride 'til you're bow-legged... or if that sounds uncomfortable, oil the fenders (wear old clothes when riding it, because the dye will rub off on you).  When it's sitting in your barn, take a broom handle and turn the fenders backwards and stick the handle through the stirrups.  And if the "squeak" of a new saddle drives you nuts, a little baby powder in the skirt can help quiet it down a bit.  There's also a product called a "stirrup straight" that allows your stirrups to swivel, and can eliminate the stress on your knees, but it will take longer to break in the fenders that way, and if you go back to a regular stirrup, you'll have a break-in process all over again.  I totally feel your pain, new saddles SUCK to break-in, but after a few months it'll be like sitting in an easy chair!  Good luck!
1182478
I taught my child to ride at a local ball field. The grass is soft, so falling won't hurt. Give that a shot for a while until your comfortable. The field has to be firm.... it's almost impossible to pedal through soft soil!\n\nAnyway, get back on that thing! It's great fun, good exercise and saves on gas money.\n\nNow, if you ultimately fail at getting your nerve back, you could try one of these  ;)\n\nhttp://www.jvbike.com/images/Port-O-Trike/PTtrifecta_300x300.jpg
112514
Because it can break the horse's back?  :-)    … But seriously, because it can eventually cause arthritis and other serious complications for the horse.   The horse may even downright refuse the load (i.e. not wanna go anywhere and/or tire much sooner on the trail and fail to keep up with the group).    Not to mention, it would be potentially very dangerous for a "weekend rider" of his size to fall off a horse, especially since it would be tougher for him to fit in the saddle safely.  Besides, usually the heavier you are the harder you fall too.   …Who knows, this may prove to be the incentive that your "man" needs to take better care of his health and eventually get to enjoy more of life's pleasures like horseback riding, etc.   Let's hope so.
1107496
My 10 yr old is in love with equestrian activities.  As a mom I was very nervous allowing her to ride on horses.  She started out on a pony and he gave her more problems, he bucked her off, the only thing that got hurt was her pride (but boy was I scared, I was ready to stop all lessons, sell her equipment and be done with it)  Her trainer has put her on the most gentle mare, after seeing the poor relationship that had developed between her and the pony.  She and this horse have jumped hurdles, gone on cross country trails, worked on dressage moves. \nSo, I say all that to say that while it does have it's dangers, just as football, hockey etc have their own inherent dangers, if you love the sport, you usually form a love relationship with your horse and it and you become a team,  It is a beautiful thing to watch young girls work with these strong beasts.  The dangers of broken bones, possible concussions or worse are probably less than with football, hockey, soccer, etc. since you stay up on your horse 99 % of the time.  And you don't have someone else coming at you to stop you from going to the goal.
950760
Your saddle should not be putting you in the wrong position.\nIs the saddle the right size for your body? If it is not to big you should be fine.\nThey are made with a really deep seat and swept back swells to keep you locked into position and to stay centered whne you turn corneres fast.\nBut if you feet are behind you it sounds more like you are sitting up on your crotch an not on your seat bones.\nIf you have a trainer have them look at you or have someone take a vidoe of you riding like in an arena. \nSee if your feet are in line with your hips and shoulders. If not you need to practice the proper position. Have someone set you into the position and get the feel of where you should be. \nPractice practice practice it takes time to get a good seat. \nIf you are not comfortable in the barrel saddle look at other models you may find something that fits you better or puts you into a better position.\nGood luck.
395322
HELLO TENDER HEART FIRST OFF YOU MUST FIND YOUR STRENGH AND LEARN HOW TO MOVE PATIENT TO AND FROM WHEEL CHAIR THERE ARE TRICKS TO MOVING PARALYZED PEOPLE. THEN CONTACT AIRLINES OR WHATEVER AND LET THEM KNOWBYOU ARE COMING YOU WILL BE SURPRISED HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL HELP
143026
Yes - but I fell off.
921193
just play the way u know how to and try\nyour best just have fun i broke my leg\nso i cant try out