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Comment by Jane Savoie on June 8, 2009 at 9:41am

Thanks so much for your input! The responses have been fascinating. It's giving me some GREAT ideas for the program!!
Best,
Jane

Comment by DT on June 7, 2009 at 9:12pm

Don't know whether this will help your article but the biggest fear I had when starting was of a horse that wouldn't go, especially since my balance wasn't that good. It made it harder to get into a rhythm with the horse. I had a good dressage instructor and we did a lot of working at the walk - especially focusing on the seat and the feel of the horse. I switched to group lessons with an old horse that had been a top competitor in his day.and knew the class routine better than I did. He was a smooth trotter and willing canterer. He may have been slow but he was steady and kept going rather than the start and stop I was used to. If he didn't listen to my halt, he listened to my instructor's voice so I developed total confidence in him and as a result in myself. I learned to relax which made learning to ride a lot easier. He did have a tendency to want to canter when we were supposed to do individual exercises at the trot but using my seat feeling his movement as my dressage instructor had taught me to keep him in the trot helped me to conquer this small fear and I felt a great victory afterward. When I felt more confident I would make him wait until I gave him the command to slow down or speed up rather than let him just respond to the instructor and every time I was able to do it, it gave me a big boost.

Working within the framework of a lesson format that was familiar, an instructor and horse I trusted, and a little bit of freedom to try new things on my own really helped my confidence. Now I can go back to the horses that don't want to go and even if I don't always keep them going, I don't lose confidence like I used to.

Comment by Jackie Cochran on June 7, 2009 at 11:50am

Hi Jane,
I finally remembered I have this book "Overcoming the Fear of Riding" by Theresa J. Jordan, Ph.D. & Peter E. de Michele, M.Ed., ISBN 0-914327-54-2, which include interviews from 12 top riders. This book did help me some, and may give you some good ideas.

Comment by Shirley on June 6, 2009 at 11:49am

This is a very blurry pic since I had to take it off a movie camera because I had no still pics of him. Many in my memory bank though.

Comment by Shirley on June 6, 2009 at 11:47am

Like children they all have their own inherited personalities and abilities due to age differences etc. I think if we treat them according to who they are as distinct individuals we have already taken several big steps forward. Could it be time to Always Remember but move on to bond with the rest of your herd? Sounds like you are close to being there or are there. Ziggy will open new doors for you...I think Haf's are quite different with a cute sense of humor and very smart. I think that description fits most horses but a little different with the Haf's. They seem to be known for being little tricksters too. Enjoy! Gotta run...my horse is getting a new herd-mate today and I'm anxiouis to see if they play well together on this first day. Take care. PS I had a bond with an abused horse that I did not own and when he went away it was one of the very worst things I've experienced in my life. The pain and sadness were horrible. Actually it still is at times. I think of him every day. But I believe we are suppose to go on with joy at some point. There are so many horses that need people to care.

Comment by Ann Crago on June 6, 2009 at 11:20am

Wow Shirley...your story is so like my own...but I was VERY lucky to have been able to come back to horses at 36..with my little Suzie whom I had for 17 years..I lost her 3 years ago....and it truly broke my heart.My husband and kids rode and my daughter showed all during the 17 years..so it wasn't just my attachment to my sweet Sue...it was a family livestyle for a very long time. I too now have a haflinger named Ziggy and I must confess the poor guy spent the past 1 or 2years just shelved...I was that depressed about "my girl"...but with the help of his sweet nature and going out on little trail rides...excorted by my husband"s now 27 year old quarter horse Marty...we at least got out last summer for little rides. My Ziggy is green...I have his walk trot quite respectable now....but I find I am really nervous about starting his canter work....crazy when you think of my firery little Suzie....but that's the power of trust I guess...she was fun and she looked after me...Ziggy..I don't know him really yet....because he is green I know I can't trust him like my old "seen it ,done it" Sue.......and so we do the best we can....The one thing I have learned from the horses....Trust Your Own Heart and instincts......Listen to other suggestions..of course...but in the end you know yourself and you know your horse......Trust yourself...when you are ready to try something...You will know it.......
Take care...hope to chat at ya again....( and yes...Chris is wonderful and Janes "Happy Horse home study dvd's (which I just ordered and received) are going to be a great help and reference for a life-time) I will most likely not use the advanced stuff.for quite awhile....but the baby basics are very useful...not to mention it helps tremendously to SEE a person sitting correctly with relaxed confidence...I find I have taken that image to Ziggy...for our flat work and even the wonderful hack we went on last night......Thanks Jane......Cheers all....Ann

Comment by Shirley on June 5, 2009 at 4:42pm

Hi Ann, we have some things in common. I know Anne Gage a little and admire her very much. From meeting her, I have looked at some of Chris Irwin's tapes and read one book and looking forward to more. Personally I love the Parelli's and have used their methods to help my horse and I to progress from YOUNG (CASH) and DUMB (ME) to IMPROVED and IMPROVING. Cash is 8 and I've owned and been riding him for just over 5 years. I was 52 when I started riding again after selling my horse of 2 years over 30 years ago That first horse had a grand time with me...I was her comedy entertainment for a while. My horse passions got tucked away for a long time while I told myself I could not afford a horse. Now I wonder how I will ever be okay without my horsie guy. I am one of those that has learned soooo much from my horse and being with horses. They are such a gift from God and they really sooth my soul. I am currently taking lessons every couple of weeks from a great lady that teaches western and dressage. I will check with her about the two point and the gallop position. The two point term I have heard of at the training barn but do not know how to do it. I will ask about it. it's time to start doing a little cantering soon. Cash and I have cantered a few times. The last time was in the winter and I ended up pulling the muscles from my upper thigh/groin area to below my knee over half way across. More of my upper thigh was bruised then wasn't. Really gross and really painful! I have cantered once shortly since them.
An adorable Haflinger also helped me back into the world of horses when I got started up. Happy Travels Thru Life...It is a Grand voyage!
Shirley

Comment by Ann Crago on June 5, 2009 at 2:26pm

...Love 2 point....you feel more secure...not to mention it's kinda cool...lots of fun and somehow enpowering.....My Suzie and I (she also was a firery little Welch-Arab.....would blast around the fields in 2 point...(she would Never "round") with big smiles on both our faces....did I mention I'm now 55 ???

Comment by Jackie Cochran on June 5, 2009 at 1:35pm

I think the gallop position is also called two-point. Your heels and knees go down, you lift your seat out of the saddle while leaning forward gradually from the hips until you come to a position of comfortable balance. You also have to keep your chest open and head up. With your seat out of the saddle you do not have to deal with all of the movement of the horse's back.
Hope this helps.

Comment by Shirley on June 5, 2009 at 12:31pm

Woooo! Sponge time!! I have never heard of the term gallop position and I've been hanging around a training barn for 5 years now. I personally have had to work very hard and put in many many hours in the saddle to overcome what fear factor I have been able to overcome. Some days are better then others and I really appreciate my horse has tried very hard to put up with me but I do think it's hard for him.Like being arouind someone that's really nervous. Isn't alot of fun for horse or human.
Can you explain the gallop position? I have a pretty good seat but always room for improvement or any attempt to make me more secure...
I don't think my mom taught me to be afraid but she probably didn't need to cause I came by it pretty natural. There is actually a theory now that there is a condition called, "Overly sensitive" and it's not much fun to live with.

Shirley

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