Its not so much, confidence riding, but confidence with bits.  I know its sort of a one:one/ horse question.  But, I just finished a clinic with Julie and she enlightened me on one particular bit, and I can't say enough about the bit and how Julie explained its use.  Myler has leveled bits that are very useful.  I have a young horse and she had the appropriate answer and bit for us to try that weekend.  I needed a step up from the snaffle and dog bone I was using and the Myler 33  MB, long 7 inch shank was heaven sent.  

Just a suggestion.  Julie has a knack for explaining sometimes complicated answers/explanations in very simple layman's terms.  I'm a big fan.  

I am a novice rider, started again last 3 months after 30+ years. I have been working with my horse 1 year since I bought her. First 8 months, mostly groundwork to establish trust with horse. She has pull back issues, and has gone over on her back or side many times when rearing on pull back.

She is 14 years old, former polo pony, Argentine Criollo/English Thoroughbred cross.

I have been riding her more in last 2 months, and in last month outside of round pen in arena and pasture areas. I have taken her up to a trot for maybe 50 ft at a time and slowed her back to walk.

My fear is she will rear with me on her, and I have read what to do, but am not sure I will do what I am supposed to do when it happens. She knocked me off 3 months ago, but it was my fault when I did saddle wrong and when I put the weight on saddle she bucked.

I guess, other than continue riding, and gaining confidence, there isn't much else I can do at this point is there?

Thank you

 Hi there,

It sounds like this is not a good fit for you.  She is 14 and she probably can progress, but you might get hurt along the way.  Depending on how much of a challenge you want, you might want to cut your losses.  How much $ have you put into her? Do you ride with a qualified and exoerienced instructor?  Someone, who is experienced with these issues?  

Be very careful, let me know what happens. 

 All the best. 

I only have $300, I bought her for a year ago. I have an experienced instructor who is certified by John Lyons training schools tthat I work with. She is tailoring the training toward me and the horse.

In my experience, some horses respond well to Lyons's techniques and some need a tougher love.  Sometimes, enough is enough and if she hasn't improved in a year... my guess is something needs to change.  (Just my opinion).  

My question is:  Are you having a fun, enjoyable, safe ride each time?  Along with positive progression towards your goal?  

My info: I just started with trainer this summer, we are up to trail riding now.

The horse a year ago, you couldn't go near head or bridle without great effort. In fact the people I bought her from couldn't catch her to halter her so they left one on her with tiny piece of rope to catch her.

My grandson, 10 has ridden her in round pen, my daughter 13 has ridden her in pasture.

I think my problem is I think about what could go wrong. My job involves this type of risk analysis. But yes, she has become more of a pleasure to ride as things progress these last couple of months. I just need to take things at my own speed.

I was told by instructor same thing as said by others, if I have patience and am willing to give time, it might work out, but for most part we are not a good match for our experience level and horse's history.

Thanks for input.

When I got my first horse about 14-15 yrs ago I just got on and rode.  I tried to do what more experienced people told me to and did ok for quite awhile.  Then I read and heard about some serious accidents other people had with horses and it really scared me!  Even though my own two horses had done nothing wrong I was terrified of some freaky thing happening.  I had to force myself to ride anyway but I was so tense all the time it was hard to enjoy it.  As time has passed however, I've been able to relax more and truly appreciate the good training/natures my horses have.  I still don't get out to ride as much as I should but I've learned how great horses are as big pets--I don't need to ride them in order to be happy with them.  Doing groundwork or just hanging out are also very pleasant ways to spend time with my "guys". 

So, here's the problem--I only want to ride my horse now (the other one is retired) because I'm familiar with him.  I am still basically terrified to ride any other horses, even ones i've ridden with no issues in the past.  Should I just stick to mine then and not worry about it or is there some way to get beyond this?  As it is I may not ride again if anything happens to my horse--and that's kind of sad to think about!       

It sounds like your horses have given you no reason to fear them while riding, and its just a personal hurdle you have to get over.  Try to find a qualified instructor in your area, with a good reputation, and sign up for some lessons.  Be honest with the instructor and the should be able to work with you.  

 You live life in fear of "what might happen", you have to make the surroundings as safe as possible, so that you can attempt to have a safe a pleasurable ride.  Do you have a ring or arena to start in? 

Hi Gary,

Can I ask, are you a man?  I only ask, b/c some horses have issues with men.  Most farriers are men and if your horse has ever had an issue with a farrier and hasn't gotten over it... it could be a problem.  If you've only had the horse for a year, her history, unless you know it all, could be a mystery, resulting in your issues with her now.  

 I would be extermemly cautious putting any children on her back, she seems unpredictable.  I know we all might want to be persistant and "break" this particular horse, but she is 14/15. She's not going to change... if she was 4/5 yes, I would say it'll pass.  Good luck. 

I had been helping a friend with a horse she was leasing that developed some rather dangerous habits.  She would be fine and then for no reason start acting all goofy.  She also started to disrespect my friend's personal space.  We thought that maybe firmer handling would straighten her out.  All was going well for about a month.  During this time, I had been riding her and she was fine.  One day when the owners were there she was going well under saddle and then went into a bucking frenzy.  I got hurt bad and spent the weekend in the hospital.  I wasn't allowed on any horse for a month afterwards.   I now ride my horse and a few VERY trustworthy ones at a stable I help out at.  I'm very intimidated about what can go wrong now though.  There are many horses at this other stable that never gave me any problems but I'm very nervous about riding them.  Riding them being that nervous may cause all kinds of potential problems since we deal with lots of beginning riders on trail rides at this stable.  I'm pretty sure nothing would happen, but I can't stop thinking about how hurt I was.   I'd love to be back the way I was, but I just can't overcome the fear. 

The horse that dumped me was checked completely and there was no physical reason for her actions.  There was nothing wrong with her mouth, and the bit doesn't pinch anywhere.  There was nothing wrong with her back and she's not even ticklish.  There was nothing wrong with her feet either.  We couldn't find any pain issues anywhere and we were very thorough.   She's presently back in serious training with a qualified professional and she's tried some of her tricks with them as well.  She's doing well now, but she may continue to be a handful for the rest of her life.

My daughters, age 17 and 21 have been riding for almost 10 years each and I have hauled them and been to countless speed shows and rodeos over these years.  Their horses are "been there, done that", confident and sound between the ears as well as in their legs.  During these years, my only experience has been a handful of trail rides, which I enjoy, as long as the girls are with me. 

I want to learn how to ride.  My dilemma and fear is related to choosing the right horse to learn on.  One horse, an 11 year old,  is a great mover and literally "bomb proof" (a rodeo clown set off a bomb in the arena within 50 ft of this horse and she didn't even flinch- my dog lost spincter control).  She moves very well off leg aids and uses very little bit pressure with a smooth snaffle.  She stops with her hind end and looks very smooth in all gaits. For no rational reason, I don't trust her to take care of me as a rider.  I'm afraid she'll respond in a big way (a lot of speed) to an unintended cue.

 The other horse, 17 years old, is a "front end" stopper (we think it's because she's cow hocked and can't physically stop on her hind).  She walks faster than a lot of other horses trot, and she really covers ground at a trot. She will spook on occasion, usually at things like flags if they are close by, or things scurrying on the ground (little creatures under leaves in the woods).  Her spooks aren't terribly dramatic, just a few very fast steps sideways.  I am afraid of riding her at anything more than a walk because I feel like I won't be able to handle the "whoa".  I'm afraid I'll pitch forward when she stops and that I'll become unbalanced.  She is my usual choice of mounts when we trail ride around our home, because we go no faster than a walk in familiar surroundings. I trust her to take care of me at home.  I'm afraid to get on her at shows and my daughter could really use the help getting the 2 horses warmed up before their events. 

I envy the confidence my girls have and want to develop that in myself. Fear of injury is blocking me from that goal.

Hi Julie,

I am 55 years old and a 1st time horse owner (as of Aug. 2008.) I have a 16+ hands foxtrotter (10 yr.old) who has been in training along with me. He was well broke when I got him.  We have been doing well and I don't have any fears of riding him.

Well, things have changed a bit. He bucked me off and I spent a day in the hospitol with a concusion.  He can be pushy and stubborn. He seems to be battling me for dominence at this time. I need help.  Trail riding isn't fun if you have to fight every change of direction and make him move on when he refuses. Can you suggest anything that will re-inforce my  leadership role with him?? My husband wants to sell him before I get seriously hurt. I don't, plain and simple. I can't just get rid of him because he made a mistake!

His saddle fits good, had his teeth floated, get good hay and pasture. I just had his shoes removed (had them on front only). Tha's the last thing I can think of.

Don't want to give up!!

Debbie

I am inexperienced also, but I read many books by different trainers. They all seem to agree on groundwork. If you don't do the groundwork initially with horse, and show dominance at that time, then you don't get it from the horse. Especially when a novice.

I decided to read and do some, along with DVDs and on line videos. I then hired a trainer to work with me and the horse to work on the control of horse. I am still not there, and still have confidence issues with horse, but I know she is listening to me. It is just I usually make the mistake. The one tme bucked off, thank goodness no serious injury, it was due to something I had done saddling her.

09/08

Took horse to vet chiropractor today. Lady said she was completel out of align and spent 2 hours with her re-aligning her from top of head, all legs, and back to tailbone. she stated, the horse was completely out all the way around, and may have been reason why couldn't turn neck or round her body as much. They also said she had an ulcer. This might explain a lot about her attitude toward fighting against pressure and not bringing her neck around.

Hopefully this will help fix her problem.

Hi Rodeomom_horse,

I would definitely choose your 11-year-old horse to learn on as a beginner, if I had to choose between just those two.  You'll get past minor spooks with experience, but don't start on a horse inclined to do that.  Get a good trainer to work with you, especially at the very beginning so that you begin to trust that you will not accidentally make your horse run forward or do something you don't intend.  Most horses can tell the difference between a forward command and a disorganized, scrambly poke from an unbalanced new rider.  This sounds like a sensible horse who will probably not give you any problems.  Remember, all horses can move very fast when they are motivated to do so, but most of the time a well-trained horse will want to make sure you want them to make that kind of big change in movement.  Beginners sometimes take lessons on my horse, and at times their cues confuse him--and you can see him trying to figure out what the rider wants.  So if you're new, an accidental cue will probably not be clear enough to elicit a strong response from the horse.  Working on a longe line can help, too, because then your trainer is literally controlling the horse for you while you get your bearings.  Also, if she is really responsive to the bit and she gets quick, she will probably be easy to stop, too.

 Actually, with this horse I think your biggest problem will be getting spoiled for other horses!  Bombproof, smooth gaits, soft mouth, responsive---wow!