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Location: midwest mama | A friend recently asked me about this, and I said I would see if I could get some answers from all of you for her:
"I recently started barrel racing again after many years away from horses. I have a great horse who is very kind and I can trust. Unfortunately, I have been having panic attacks when I even think about going to a barrel race. Sick to my stomach, lightheaded, etc. I cannot even visualize my "perfect" run because as soon as I do, I start feeling the same way - even days ahead of time. It has been so bad sometimes that I probably shouldn't even be driving.
When they call my name, I am so panicked that I don't remember a thing.......all of my "plans" on what to do go right out the window and I can't even remember what I am supposed to do at all. I haven't ridden this horribly since I was first starting to barrel race.
Does anyone have any suggestions on what to do?"
Anyone have any suggestions for her? I would love to help my friend. Thanks for your input everyone..................
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 Certified Snake Wrangler
Posts: 1672
Location: North MS | Is there a local saddle club nearby with a variety of events? Or even a good 4H club? Can she visit an event (no horses with you) without having problems?
If she can go to an event without issues (and no pressure to ride) I would recommend volunteering for 4H. She could help the younger kids with issues, help set up for events, work to raise money in the concession stand. Later she might could even take her horse to ride around the arena before and after the events. Maybe just take the horse and groom it the first day. Next time just sit on the horse during the show. Next do a trainers (if at a saddle club show and at a walk). Slowly work up to faster trainers/exhibitions. Enter event and walk and then just move up speeds.
This problem can be fixed. She just has to be confident that she can do all the smaller steps first. Find where she is solid and comfortable and work your way up. Maybe she could ride a friend or 4H members smaller horse at an event being led. Even though she is confident/comfortable/great rider at home- she might just need a smaller challenge to overcome first away from home. Don't try to jump headfirst into a big show/NBHA/IBRA/Rodeo etc. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 794
| Tell her she has to please no one. I bet she is thinking about all those who have been racing for years and feels like she is not good enough to be in that group. She doesn't have to be the best right from the start go and enjoy herself talk to others ride around the area and visit build friendships then slowly begin to run by doing training barrels and work her way up. If she runs training she will not have the pressure to win or be perfect. Training isn't just to teach the horse it is also to help the rider. Good luck and just have fun. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 520
| I have to agree with everything Bluerose suggested. I have panic attacks too and sometimes I just need to sit on my horse and do nothing more. I don't know if I will ever get to doing the riding I used to, but at least I am riding. |
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 Veteran
Posts: 129
Location: South | I had this problem several years ago. I had purchased a finished horse that I was having problems getting with and my parents were pressuring me after every run. I was to the point I hated the horse and the sport I had first absolutely loved! After high school graduation, I pastured the horse for a while, and used my other finished mare that I had trained. I started back going (by myself) running her and slowly fell in love with it all over again and then began competing on my other horse I pastured. It took several months, but I started back running at little junior rodeo's in exhibition or open with not very many people. I had no pressure, and was able to run and get me back right. I now have moved onto bigger show like before, but I do sometimes get pressure before a run and I have learned to control it in my breathing. I set the mentality for me that make the best run you can, and that all you can do. No pressure! You can fix this, because I did. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1286
Location: Mississippi | I can so relate to this! I got back into barrel racing after about 12 years of not even sitting on the back of a horse. I was SO nervous about going to a race, clinic, anything. Literally not just the running part of a barrel race but the unfamiliar of where to sign up, having to park and possibly (gasp) back up with my trailer. I don't really know what got me over it and I don't know that I am completely over it when going to a new arena but the more you go, the easier it gets. It is back in my blood now so I go absolutely every chance I get (I am pretty sure my non horsey husband is not particularly happy about this). I am improving with every run and I finally feel like me and my horse are becoming a "team". Best advise I can give is just fight through the nerves and GO. There is no other way to become more comfortable. Sometimes the best joys lie just outside of our comfort zone :) |
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  That's White "Man" to You
Posts: 5515
| Hair Analysis ! |
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| Funny you just posted this as I just made this suggestion a minute ago on another post. Barbra Schulte does a great job at helping equestrian's of all disciplines. I suggest her audio- http://barbraschulte.com/barrel-racing-with-confidence-digital-audi...
Good luck! |
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Rad Dork
Posts: 5218
Location: Oklahoma | Whiteboy - 2014-07-30 10:24 AM Hair Analysis !
 This needs to be a well kept secret!!
to the OP: Lots of good suggestions have been made... she just needs to take it slow.
There has been a series of anxiety articles in BHN lately, maybe you can pull copies of those for her? |
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| It sounds like professional help is needed.
I suggest seeing a psychiatrist and learning how to deal with these attacks |
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 Thread Killer
Posts: 7545
| cheryl makofka - 2014-07-30 1:27 PM It sounds like professional help is needed. I suggest seeing a psychiatrist and learning how to deal with these attacks
I don't understand the dislikes here. The OP's friend might really have an actual problem that she can get help for. A full-blown panic attack, which could be what the OP's friend is experiencing per her own words, is a lot different than "stage fright". |
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 The Bling Princess
Posts: 3411
Location: North Dakota | Just Plain Lucky - 2014-07-30 1:41 PM cheryl makofka - 2014-07-30 1:27 PM It sounds like professional help is needed. I suggest seeing a psychiatrist and learning how to deal with these attacks I don't understand the dislikes here. The OP's friend might really have an actual problem that she can get help for. A full-blown panic attack, which could be what the OP's friend is experiencing per her own words, is a lot different than "stage fright".
I agree. It sounds like she may need a little professional intervention here. Nothing at all wrong about suggesting it or even doing it. Having a panic attack where you don't think you should be driving is serious and way beyond nerves, excitement etc. |
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Hungarian Midget Woman
Location: Midwest | Just Plain Lucky - 2014-07-30 1:41 PM cheryl makofka - 2014-07-30 1:27 PM It sounds like professional help is needed. I suggest seeing a psychiatrist and learning how to deal with these attacks I don't understand the dislikes here. The OP's friend might really have an actual problem that she can get help for. A full-blown panic attack, which could be what the OP's friend is experiencing per her own words, is a lot different than "stage fright".
Agree. I would be seeing a physician about this. I used to get these attacks. I was prescribed medication which now pretty much prevents them.
They are dangerous if one is to get a panic attack while driving, and they can really interfere with one's life. In my case they were heriditary, and I highly suggest speaking to your doctor about this issue. The shortness of breath, tightness in the chest, etc are not just worrying, they are characteristic of a panic attack. |
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 Ms Bling Bling Sleeze Kitty
Posts: 20917
Location: LouLouVille, OK | Is this the only time she has these attacks? just when she is going to a barrel race?
I have been out of the game awhile myself and getting my groove back... well kinda...lol
but I can relate, I took my horses to a roping, and they were wild eyed and I beat myself before I even got on...
but I got on...
Can she go on a trail ride? go to a friends house to practice? start small scale, don't push bigger show pressure on herself.
go... exhib and tell herself to have fun...
I don't know how Stella got her groove back, but I am fixin ta get mine :)
Tell her she is NOT alone... and Im thinkin I may need a beer before a run.... he he he
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Expert
Posts: 1226
| I agree with above. Nothing wrong with professional help. Maybe it's a form of social anxiety. Just talking to someone that has a neutral position can help. A lot of athletes see sports psychiatrists. |
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10D Crack Champion
| cindyt - 2014-07-31 2:53 PM Is this the only time she has these attacks? just when she is going to a barrel race?
I have been out of the game awhile myself and getting my groove back... well kinda...lol
but I can relate, I took my horses to a roping, and they were wild eyed and I beat myself before I even got on...
but I got on...
Can she go on a trail ride? go to a friends house to practice? start small scale, don't push bigger show pressure on herself.
go... exhib and tell herself to have fun...
I don't know how Stella got her groove back, but I am fixin ta get mine :)
Tell her she is NOT alone... and Im thinkin I may need a beer before a run.... he he he
Stella got her groove back by going on a vacation to paradise & meeting a young hottie. Just the shot in the arm she needed. LOL Go Stella Go! |
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 Big Gun
Posts: 2216
Location: Texas | I had to look and see if I wrote this...so like me. For many years I've been plagued with extreme anxiety as well. I tried every books, meditation, drugs alcohol, praying, breathing, singing, just about everything under the sun. Several years ago I was watching the nfr one night and I was getting that same feelings, in my body as if I was the one getting to ride at the nfr. I was thinking why am I doing this it's so silly, then it downed on me. It was an adrenaline rush i was feeling, of course tripled. When I realize what it as I began to feel myself slowly unwind from that horrible dark pit I found myself in and of course, it didn't happen over night, but I did finally over come the attacks and hardly get nervous at all anymore and I feel so relaxed, like a weight off my shouder
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Location: midwest mama | Here's an update on my friend -
She went to an Osteopath and found out she is Vitamin D deficient and the serotonin levels in her brain are deficient. She has been taking a small amount of Vitamin D and also a good magnesium supplement (which is a natural muscle relaxer) for a couple of weeks now and she is getting better. She is also eating more foods that help to boost serotonin levels. Time will tell...........but at least there is improvement! :) |
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