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Member
Posts: 6
| This season will be my second year racing, and it's always been my dream to run barrels. Our last few races in the fall, my mare started getting really hot on me (I was just starting to let her go). I lost all confidence, just did slow exhibitions the last few races, and turned her out for winter.
It's about time to start getting her in shape again (I've given myself a Feb 1 deadline), but I'm having terrible anxiety about even getting on her again, let alone entering her. I'm this close to just selling out.
Does anybody get anxiety in the Spring? Is this normal?? Any suggestions (Doctor says riding anxiety doesn't qualify for Xanax ;)??? |
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I just read the headlines
Posts: 4483
 
| Essential oils helped me a lot, along with yoga to help my balance and posture and mental pep talks. Also, finding the cause of my horse's freak outs and treating that. Oh, and a very generous friend offered to let me ride her high strung but completely safe mare to ride to get my çonfidence back. I used the oils for both of us, too. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 678
Location: Canada | Do you have a coach or trainer you can work with? They can help you both go ready for the events and help you build your confidence. They can also help figure out why the horse was getting so hot and help you come up with a plan to put that energy to good use. |
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 Miss Laundry Misshap
Posts: 5271
| How often do you ride? An overly excited horse can be caused from a multitude of things. Lack of riding, actual excitement from getting to run, sensing your nervousness through hands and seat, their own fear of getting yanked or spurred for being "in trouble" etc.
What did the "hot" consist of? Rearing, spinning, jumping around, flipping, or was it simply the horse being up on the bit and being ready to go??
It really sounds like you should recruit a friend or trainer to assist you. Take a few lessons and have someone explain what the horse is doing and if it's really as bad as you think it is. Have them show you some techniques to help you calm down and how to calm the horse down. |
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 Own It and Move On
Location: The edge of no where | Go take a couple of lessons with a good trainer in your area. Do you not want to ride at all or does this particular mare worry you? |
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 Transplant Okie
Posts: 1206
Location: Always on call..... | I completwly understand your anxiety. I tried to get my own doctor to prescribe me anti-anxiety meds to take before a run a few years ago! LOL.
After a long break from barrel racing while I was in medical school I was very nervous to compete again. I could barely go faster than a slow lope. Here is what helped me:
1. I read Barbara Schulte's book The Gift. This made a huge difference in my mental prep before runs and helping me to not compare myself to everyone else.
2. Went to a barrel racing clinic and got lessons. This gave me steps and specific things to focus on, which made me less nervous overall.
3. Surrounded myself with positive people who encouraged me and made me feel good about each little step I took.
I still took about a year but I slowly got more confident and aggressive. |
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Veteran
Posts: 285
| My made is on the hotter side. I am know where near a perfect rider, but have learned to control my emotions better. Not always, as I have posted about it before. At barrel races, even though I'm nervous, I have learned how to control it better. I hadn't ran in 5 yrs then started legging my made up and went. I decided to just lope the pattern and my nerves went away. Once I started getting ready for my run, its like instinct took over and my body knew how to handle it. Maybe you should set up a routine for yourself. If I get really nervous, I just get off and that seems to help. Maybe staying away from other horses and just walking yours around and keep you focused on other things. I take anxiety meds, and what helps me when I feel anxious is walking. Maybe hand walking your horse could help you till its time. I may not be right, but just throwing out suggestions on what has helped me and my mare at races. Good luck to you! |
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Transplant Okie
Posts: 1206
Location: Always on call..... | pepsi97 - 2016-01-21 11:22 PM My made is on the hotter side. I am know where near a perfect rider, but have learned to control my emotions better. Not always, as I have posted about it before. At barrel races, even though I'm nervous, I have learned how to control it better. I hadn't ran in 5 yrs then started legging my made up and went. I decided to just lope the pattern and my nerves went away. Once I started getting ready for my run, its like instinct took over and my body knew how to handle it. Maybe you should set up a routine for yourself. If I get really nervous, I just get off and that seems to help. Maybe staying away from other horses and just walking yours around and keep you focused on other things. I take anxiety meds, and what helps me when I feel anxious is walking. Maybe hand walking your horse could help you till its time. I may not be right, but just throwing out suggestions on what has helped me and my mare at races. Good luck to you!
Neither of my horses are hot but I also do this. I stay way away from the gate/holding area until they are within 5-10 of my run. I warm up as far away as I can, then get off my horse and hand walk until the competitor before me goes. |
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 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | RunHankRun - 2016-01-20 8:17 PM This season will be my second year racing, and it's always been my dream to run barrels. Our last few races in the fall, my mare started getting really hot on me (I was just starting to let her go). I lost all confidence, just did slow exhibitions the last few races, and turned her out for winter. It's about time to start getting her in shape again (I've given myself a Feb 1 deadline), but I'm having terrible anxiety about even getting on her again, let alone entering her. I'm this close to just selling out. Does anybody get anxiety in the Spring? Is this normal?? Any suggestions (Doctor says riding anxiety doesn't qualify for Xanax ;)???
Sounds like to me you need to get a horse to build your confidence, I dont care for the hot ones myself. Maybe find you a older horse that will take care of you.  |
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  Twin Sister to Queen Boobie
Posts: 13315
Location: East Tennessee but who knows?! | Being strong boosts confidence & improves your riding. When you feel in control of your own body & you feel like you're staying in the center of your horse then you feel like you can handle whatever your horse does. Riding in two point for extended amounts of time helps build that core control and strength. But also things like planks & kettle bell exercises will help that as well. Also, watch what you eat. My nerves are 100 times better if I eat a lot of protein like turkey, steer clear of carbs, and cokes, and sugar. Show day food for me is turkey, water, peanut butter, and some veggies. |
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Expert
Posts: 1226
| Do you think she is getting hot cause she feels your anxiety? I agree with having a reputable trainer work with you to help this. |
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Fear!! Advice appreciated :)