Afraid to ride my own horse but confident on lesson horse. What's my problem?

Question

I have a 25 year old Arabian mare that I keep at a friend's house (on approx. 200 acres). I've had my mare for about 13 years. The first couple or 3 years I had her I rode religiously, every day. Then I moved away and would only ride her maybe once every 3 months. I recently moved here to be close to me and I go out to see her 3 days a week. Well, since it's been a long time since I've had formal lessons I decided to start back about 2 months ago. I've been riding the lesson horse, a 13 year old Quarab gelding once a week. I love riding him and when I'm riding him I feel so confident and have already met some of my goals I've strived for (being able to feel comfortable again in an english saddle and to comfortable canter in an english saddle).

But for some reason I'm so afraid to ride my mare. When she starts to trot I just tense up. I ride her in an open field (because I don't really have a choice) and I ride Buck (the lesson horse) in an indoor arena.

Answer 1

You most likely ride your lesson horse more than you ride your mare. If the tables were turned, you would feel more comfortable on your mare since you rode her more. You're just used to your lesson horse more. Try riding your mare more often and it should get better. Good luck!

Answer 2

I had that problem with my first pony. I had been riding a lesson horse 2 times a week, then I got Misty (my pony). I was completely scared of riding Misty. It was probably because the lesson horse had been tried and tested, but Misty was mine to ride.

What I think you should do is to try and ride them in the same environment. See if you could ride your horse for your lesson every time, and soon you will feel more comfortable on her. After you have been riding her in your lesson for a while, practice on the field

Answer 3

Are there any reason you are nervous riding her? Has she done anything to make you feel this way? If not it's probably a lack of confidence on your part and thats something you can work on. Some people just don't feel comfortable riding in an open area and do better in a ring but my oppinion is it might help improve your riding by learning how to ride in all sorts of different enviorments and not just stay in the ring all the time.

Answer 4

You need to move the horse to a facility where you can work in a ring. No one wants to ride in an open field, except trail work, eventing, etc.  Riding in an open field will not improve your confidence.  If you can't do any better sell this horse. Enjoy taking lessons on the lesson horses and eventually buy another one.  Your trainer can't help you with your horse if it is not there.

Answer 5

Gwynne,

To make a real assessment about if the open space and the Arabian mare is frightening you, I would suggest that you trailer her to the barn where you are presently riding and take a lesson on her in the indoor ring.

It may be that you are more secure in an indoor ring at this time.  That happened to me for awhile, after I had not been riding for awhile.

But from what you describe here, it would be interesting to see if you feel more secure on her with an instructor in an indoor arena, or even an outdoor fenced in ring.

I can only imagine how frustrating this must be for you.

If you can't transport your mare for any reason, why not bring your instructor to help you with your mare where she is boarded.

Hope this helps,

Troublesniffer

Former horse owner

Answer 6

It could be because you have not ridden her in a while. Maybe spend more time riding her, and you will get used to her gait again.....But continue to ride Buck, if you enjoy it, while spending more time with your own horse...maybe ride Buck outside? I hope I helped you some!

Answer 7

i had the same problum but u need to get back on riding her thats wat i did

Answer 8

you should take lessons on your horse until you build back up your confidence

Answer 9

try riding her in a  ring

Answer 10

ask your lesson place if you can bring your hose to lessons every once in a while. . .there they can help you become more comfortable with him and maybe your horse will lern a few things too. . . this would make you closer too

Answer 11

Maby Your Horse Isnt The One For You

Thats the simple answer

but if you dont want to sell/loan out your horse then i would suggest you think about what makes you so scared on your horse ? is it her speed, attitude, youve had a bad fall or just her

once you have figured out that then try and think what you could do to overcome that

try spending some quality time with your horse & fall in love with her again

maybe you should ask the riding school you go to if you could loan out the arena for a week or two, then ride your horse in there & get your confidence back up then youll want to go back into the field

just think whats right for you

hope it helped xx