tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post7438740785123699224..comments2024-03-26T05:15:39.663-07:00Comments on Equestrian Ink: Readers Write Saturday--Claudia McCreedyJami Davenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05259390150273030284noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-23391756748000939352010-01-10T08:48:55.687-08:002010-01-10T08:48:55.687-08:00I am also working on fear issues from a string of ...I am also working on fear issues from a string of accidents where I was never badly hurt, just scared. <br />A year ago, when it was time to trail our cattle home, we figure it's about six miles, I was terrified almost to the point of being petrified. It's not a good feeling. I worked on myself mentally as we trailored our horses up, but my mare, Mellie, was the hero in my eyes. Not only did she give me an exceptional ride, she was the best behaved horse as we drove our cattle home. She did everything I asked, even though she was the greenest horse there. You can't tell me horses aren't tuned into their riders. She just knew and was willing to help me out. The picture of me is from that ride. What a confidence booster!Susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04986249712144982103noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-26599612481737716652010-01-09T16:30:43.687-08:002010-01-09T16:30:43.687-08:00Wonderful story - it's a great illustration of...Wonderful story - it's a great illustration of how important it is to take one small step at a time - congratulations on our progress!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-6276485559371335542010-01-09T15:08:10.643-08:002010-01-09T15:08:10.643-08:00Good for you, Claudia, for not letting fear (and s...Good for you, Claudia, for not letting fear (and some bad incidents) make you quit. I really love the "100 five minute rides" technique. What a good idea to break things down into tiny pieces (altho I'll bet the first few of those rides took a lot of nerve and didn't feel so tiny)! You can only truly be brave when you know fear, and you are doing an amazing job of facing it down.stilllearninghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15917159268881119376noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-7138198838506625902010-01-09T10:57:18.420-08:002010-01-09T10:57:18.420-08:00I think most all of us can relate to the fear issu...I think most all of us can relate to the fear issue, Claudia. Despite all that I have done with horses in my past, and the fact that I haven't come off in a long, long time (knock on wood), I still "fight my head" sometimes, worrying that my son or I will get hurt while riding. I applaud your 100 five minute rides idea. That's a very sensible thought. I also find that giving myself permission not to ride when I feel fearful about it often helps me to notice when I actively do want to ride. And, like you, I give myself permission to have a short relaxing arena ride sometimes...just to take the pressure off.<br /><br />Yesterday my son and I rode on the beach, which is always fun, but can be, well, interesting. It was a sligthtly stormy day and I was feeling tense. Just as we set out we met a string of dude horses, loping, more or less out of control, along. Our steady horses are good, but are not proof against just a little excitement at such an encounter. My son's horse, Henry (the "lazy horse") began to prance and got very up, for him. My son was nervous. This made me nervous. I fantasized about a wreck and my son being scared or worse, hurt...well, you know the mind game. I had to take a deep breath, gather myself, say a silent thank you to Sunny, who was still very calm, and make a simple, safe choice. I put Henry on the pony rope for the next mile, until he was settled. I resisted my son's desire to lope until Henry was his usual relaxed self. In the end, we had a pleasant trouble free ride and much fun was had by all. As we walked back on a lovely trail through the sand dunes with a big view of the stormy bay beyond, I felt peaceful and said a grateful thank you to our two good little horses, who came through again. One more victory over fear.<br /><br />But I still have to deal with fear...I don't suppose there will ever be a time when it won't arise at certain moments. I can totally relate your battle with fear.Laura Crumhttp://www.lauracrum.comnoreply@blogger.com