Comments on: Can Love Conquer Fear?

By: CINDY HALE

CINDY HALE — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 15:36:02 +0000

THANKS FOR ALL THE THOUGHTFUL COMMENTS.
JUST TO BE CLEAR, I THINK THAT IF SOMEONE–ADULT OR CHILD–WANTS TO OVERCOME THEIR FEAR, THEN THEY SHOULD BE SUPPORTED IN MAKING THAT ATTEMPT. I THINK IT TAKES THE HELP OF A SPECIAL KIND OF RIDING INSTRUCTOR, A WONDERFUL HORSE AND FAMILY/FRIENDS TO MAKE IT WORK.
BUT THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE WHO SIMPLY CANNOT GET PAST BEING GENUINELY SCARED OF RIDING. THAT FEAR THEN AFFECTS THEIR ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE WITH THEIR HORSE, WHICH CAN THEN LEAD TO MORE ACCIDENTS AND BAD EXPERIENCES. IN THOSE INSTANCES, IT MAY BE BETTER TO FIND ANOTHER WAY TO CONNECT WITH HORSES RATHER THAN BEING ON THEIR BACK. THERE ARE ALL KINDS OF WAYS TO EXPRESS YOUR LOVE OF HORSES, THAT’S FOR SURE!

By: Megan

Megan — Sat, 19 Mar 2011 06:49:03 +0000

After breaking my ankle in various places last year after a bad fall over a jump, I couldn’t ride for around 10 weeks. It was agony sitting in a wheelchair watching my friends ride. But to not lose my confidence with horses, I did everything to stay on top of it. Polished my saddle, my boots etc. There are many more people out there like Donna and I hope this article helps them, too.

By: claire

claire — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 22:39:39 +0000

I loved this blog…it is absolutely true that loving horses does not depend on riding them.
Claire Dorotik, M.A., author, ON THE BACK OF A HORSE: Harnessing the Healing Power of the Human-Equine Bond
http://www.greathorsebooks.com

By: Alexandria

Alexandria — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 05:05:07 +0000

I can relate…
Trust me, I have had my fair share of bad falls and horribly timed horse encounters, but I have always loved horses.
Maybe it’s because I try to forget the things that happened, or maybe it’s because I feel like I have regained my confidence every time I put my feet in the stirrups and grab the reins.
I have loved and been riding horses since I could walk and talk. I know I’m only 15, but I really can relate!
XOXO for this article & to all horsepeople

By: Frances

Frances — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 20:36:41 +0000

At 11, I broke three ribs at a birthday party, when a horse shied, threw me and landed on me. A few trail rides later and I am 56. My husband gave me lessons for my birthday last July, and I was determined not to let fear stop me. It didn’t; in the intervening 45 years, I’ve managed to deal with major, chronic illnesses and some major bumps in the road. I’ll live if I fall. I ride a thoroughbred who is 16 h. After heel surgery I was back on him the day after my cast came off. Each Friday when I go to bed it is like Christmas Eve, because I know I get to ride. I hope Donna takes advantage of having horses she can ride any time.

By: Lynn

Lynn — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 16:47:00 +0000

Great story and one that I can also relate to. At 51, I have decided to get back in the saddle after being away for 30 years. But now I find I am much more intimidated than I would like. The fear of getting hurt is so much more present now. I don’t bounce the way I used to!! But I have every intentions of getting over this and have found a certain amount of comfort in my choice of saddle. I was introduced to an Australian Stock saddle by one of my trainers and it has become my security blanket sort of speak! I feel so much more secure and now I can relax and enjoy.

By: Julie

Julie — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 10:54:54 +0000

While I don’t have the fear and ride every chance I get, I can understand what these women are going through. It is a shame that they feel like they ” have” to ride if they want to be close to horses. I too am not the crazy daredevil I was in my youth. My horses have gone from 17 hands to 15.1. Not from fear, but just because they are easier to handle, get on, closer to the ground should I fall….

By: Horselover

Horselover — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 18:06:45 +0000

Thanks for writing this article. I can totally relate. That’s why I got into minis and they are a BLAST! I am now training two minis to drive.

By: Bri

Bri — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 14:57:44 +0000

thank you for writing this. I too use to ride more but having children has hieghtened my awareness of getting hurt while riding, so i constantly worried about what would happen if I got hurt out riding, thus the fear got worse. so after serious thought I re-formed my horse thought and purchased a cart broke miniature horse and have a blast while still having my horse and not have the fear and anxiety of owning large horses thanks again