How can I recover my confindence at jumping?

Question

A few months ago, I had a nasty fall at a jump (at a canter), on a 16hh horse and broke my elbow in two places.

The elbow healed nicely, I have been back riding for a while now, and have bought a gorgeous Standardbred named Flash. He is rather challenging, but excellent. The thing is, I feel like he is going to waste, because he is a VERY good jumper, but since the fall I have been afraid to jump anything much larger than trotting poles. I trust Flash, and he trusts me, but I just can't bring myself to do it. I have started WAY back at square one, but I still can't pluck up the courage. Please help me boost my confidence!

Answer 1

you say you trust Flash, but maybe he is not the best horse to get back to jumping with.  If you know someone who has a laid back, easy going horse that you can ride, try jumping a very easy horse over some small crossrails and transfer the confidence to your boy.  

Also... confidence is different for everyone.  One style of advice is to just do it, trust your horse (lunge line maybe) and get it over with.  On the opposite side: wait!  if you used to jump, trotting poles will probably start to bore you with time and you'll get more and more curious about going over little jumps again.  Depends on what works for you!

Answer 2

I totally know what you're going through here! I've had a nasty fall too, and damaged my hip.

First off, don't let anyone pressure you! Parents, friends that ride, instructors... generally they don't mean to make you feel uncomfortable, but sometimes they do. Tell them! Its no good brooding about it in silence. They'll be able to help you more that way, also.

If you feel it's your balance thats loosing your confidence, take a few yoga or pilates lessons, and have someone lunge you without stirrups so that you can develop a REALLY good seat, and thus improve your balance dramatically.

Make sure theres always someone watching you when you jump. Perhaps you're worried you'll fall again, but the injuries will be even more severe? Having someone there will let you have peace of mind.

Last of all, breathe in and out calmly before you start. You're probably getting worked up thinking about it. Remember, you can do it, you CAN!

Answer 3

I have two things for you.

First, It was suggested to me to make post-its of everything I need to know and do and think about while jumping and stick the post-it's all around my house in places that I visit everyday like the bathroom mirror, the tv, my bedroom door, etc. That helped me a lot. The jumping thoughts became a part of my everyday life and helped me feel better.

Second, read this book:

http://www.amazon.com/That-Winning-Feeli...

EXCELLENT book. Helped me tremendously.

Answer 4

Well, the first time I jumped was on a trail, and my very strong horse decided she wanted to run. She ran and ran until this very large low hanging tree popped right in front of us, and she went under and I went backwards. That was my first jump. Since then, I only jump bareback now. I hate saddles!

You mentioned flash was a bit of a handful... have you ever seen anyone jump him before? If he seemed to toss his head and look a little wild (he might do it when you do it anyways becasue he hasn't jumped in so long), either borrow a very calm horse from a friend, or take your chances. Then, take the horse and set it to the lowest you can jump. Lead the horse at a trot and watch the horse jump. Do it several times. Then, get on the horse and try walking over it. Then, oce you are ocmfortable, trot, and lastly canter! You will be up to 4 ft jumps in no time!

Answer 5

Maybe, first get a body protecter. u may not have hurt ur body but it will make u feel safer

then just start of small.

like a little jump and then when ur comfortable get a little bigger and so on,

Gd luck.

Edit

do the jumps at a trot to make u feel better as well

Answer 6

my suggestion, don't do it until your ready.  

i went through the same thing, fell off the same pony 3 or 4 times and then didn't EVER want to jump again.  i bought my horse, and spent a year doing some trot poles and just learning to trust him.  

eventually, you'll really want to jump again!  trust me, its taken me a year but now i want to jump bigger and more then i ever did before!

you'll get back into it, but if you don't want to then don't. you wont have a good time and you wont have to confidence to jump well enough to be fun.

good luck!

Answer 7

well i dont think i will be off much help but i will try my best.

You want to work up slowly. Maybe have someone lunge you over some small ones for a while. then do it by your self.

Then just get higher on till you reach where you want to be again.

take it slow no need to rush.

best of luck!