Fears about Trail Riding
There are quite a few people who enjoy trail rides in NE and they do it safely. However there are still some people who's fears keep them from trail riding, even though they desire it very much.Trail rides should be relaxing and fun but for the person full of fears they can be a nightmare. Making trail riding fun and relaxing is each riders responsibility.
There are some things a person can do to ensure trail riding is both relaxing and fun. Unconfident horses and riders rarely improve through trail riding. So get some confidence first in a familiar and confined environment. Be sure you and your horse are properly prepared before you go. Taking an impulsive, emotional spooky, unconfident horse on a trail ride is not fun and it is downright dangerous.
The best time to go on a trail ride is when you know how to take care of your confidence and also your horse's confidence. You will know when you and your horse are ready and you will benefit from waiting until the time is right. It is also important to be with people who will support you if you have any horsemanship issues along the way. There is nothing worse than being left behind to deal with it by yourself, or being forced beyond thresholds.
In order to preserve your confidence have no qualms about getting off and resorting to ground skills to prevent disaster if that is what it takes. You really only get one chance to avoid a bad situation and it is better to have a false alarm than go through a terrible experience. There is only one thing worse than getting hurt and that is losing your confidence. When you lose your confidence you may lose your dream and stop riding altogether. So protect your confidence and that of your horse, no matter what others may think of you.
Sherry will be doing a demonstration about how to build your confidence and that of your horse at the NE Expo this year, March 7-9, 2008.
Visit her at her booth and have a chance to win a free lesson with Sherry or a bag of Kent Dynasty Pro Horse Feed.
