horsee lessons

Question
Hi Lyn Kamer ,
My mam is letting me start horse riding lessons and I've wanted to start for a really long time but..I'm absolutely terrified around them.I love them though as well...I think the main thing that scares me is that,when people say that they have fell off horses,been bit by them I'm just mainly scared in case that happens to me  

Answer
Natallie,

You don't say how old you are but believe me, you are not alone.  Just remember this.  Horses are gentle creatures and trust me, they don't want to hurt you.  Granted, there are exceptions, but you will be working with lesson horses and they won't have issues; you can't use a horse for lessons who is not patient and forgiving and a good teacher.  Not all horses are good for that.  They are sweet and enjoy company, especially if you come primed with treats.  My lesson horses adore their students.  They get treats all the time.  Horses will work for food.  

I can suggest a couple of homeopathic remedies that will help you with your nerves.  Go to a health food store and get some Bach's Rescue Remedy.  A few drops under your tongue about 20 min. before you go for your first lesson.  If I have students with nerve issues their first lesson usually consists of simply learning how to groom the horse to get them comfortable with working around the animal.  The horses enjoy it too.  But it lets the student get to know the horse.  Another help is some aromatic oils.  Look in the aroma therapy section of essential oils for something labeled "Peace", "Tranquility", "Serenity", "Happiness" or something similar.  Generally these are blends of several essential oils.  Put a drop on each side of your neck either side of your windpipe.  A drop smoothed under your nostrils then just breathe naturally.  Again, this takes a few minutes so do that when you take the Rescue Remedy. If you have a bit of a drive to get to the facility do it right before you leave the house.  

You want this badly and I sense that you will bond with the horses.  They are really sweet and loving when you get to know them.  I adore mine.  Just remember they aren't very smart.  I read somewhere that they rank on a scale with white mice.  I compare it to dealing with a not real intelligent 2 yr. old child.  You can't be a push-over with them, don't accept rude behavior like pushing you with their nose when they want something, body slamming you when you are grooming them, that sort of thing.  All horses suffer to some extent from ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder in people) so you have to work on keeping them focused on you.  Positive re-inforcement works wonderfully well.  Patience above all else, both with yourself and the animal.

If you spend a lot of time around horses things will happen.  You are dealing with a not real smart animal that outweighs you by a factor of 10 or more and evolved using it's speed as it's main factor of escape from danger.  You will fall off, you will get stepped on, bitten, kicked, trampled, you name it.  I'm not going to lie and tell you it won't happen.  But it's just like any other sport - skiing, biking, dirt biking, skating, driving a car - it has it's inherant hazards.  So you just have to accept them.  Most of the time you'll wind up with just bruises, cuts, scrapes etc.  You have to have the attitude that if you fall off you get back up, dust yourself off, figure out what still works and get back on.  You can't let fear conquer you.  Use it as a learning experience.  Wear a helmet, always, when mounted, with the chin strap fastened.  The rest of the gear you'll want will depend upon the type of riding you intend to do.  I've fallen off/gotten dumped so many times I lost count years ago.  I've gotten hurt.  But it didn't keep me from going back to riding.  Riding a horse, when it's right, is the closest thing to being a centaur that there is.  I'm a long distance rider - I've ridden as much as 100 mi. in a day.  You ride a horse for that amount of time, spend all the time conditioning beforehand, and you build a real bond with the animal.  You become a team.  It's indescribable and addictive.  I am passionate about my horses and work primarily to support them.  I had a friend describe it as horse poor.  Wouldn't have it any other way.  

So, do what I suggested as far as getting your own nerves under control, and go have your first lesson.  You want this so go for it girl!!!  Let me know how it goes.

Lyn