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 Regular
Posts: 62
Location: Oklahoma | I was in a wreck about 6 years ago (this wreck had nothing to do with running barrels) horse ran off in the pasture and broke my elbow. Before my wreck I felt like I was fearless I had no problem really pushing a horse to any of my barrels. But after my wreck I don't push my horse anymore. The horse I run now is not the horse that hurt me! I have had the horse that I run now since he was 2, I broke him I know him inside and out. He has never given me a reason to not trust him or be fearful of him. I feel confident riding him around, I even ride him the pasture (which is a BIG deal for me, since my wreck I haven't really rode in the pasture) but when we go to run barrels, I start over thinking... and that "what if" something happens, feeling comes up. So what I am asking is how has everyone gotten over their fears of an old injury? I wanna be my old self again. I know I can do it and I know my horse can do it too, but its almost like I let that fear of getting hurt again(even thought my wreck had nothing to do with running barrels lol) get to me and I freeze up and doubt myself and doubt my horse. HELP! Please no rude comments! |
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| There are a few good threads on here that have some good info. You are not alone! You may want to search back through them.
Read the book Mind Gym. Has lots of great info!
Positive visualization. Visualize yourself making a great run and "feel" the run as you go through it in your mind.
Learn to recognize the negative talk in your head and when they start, say "stop!", and replace those negative thoughts with positive ones.
Also, ride, ride, ride. The more you ride the more confident and secure you will become. |
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I just read the headlines
Posts: 4483
| turnthree - 2017-01-24 11:32 AM
There are a few good threads on here that have some good info. You are not alone! You may want to search back through them.
Read the book Mind Gym. Has lots of great info!
Positive visualization. Visualize yourself making a great run and "feel" the run as you go through it in your mind.
Learn to recognize the negative talk in your head and when they start, say "stop!", and replace those negative thoughts with positive ones.
Also, ride, ride, ride. The more you ride the more confident and secure you will become.
I looked up Mind Gym and there are 2 of them by different authors. Which one are you talking about?
One is by Gary Mack & David Casstevens and the other is by Sebastian Bailey & Octavius Black. |
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Industrial Srength Barrel Racer
Posts: 7268
| I had my arm shattered several years ago, (in the hospital 3 days, $35,000 bill). So far, I have not over come my fear so I am following this thread. |
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 I Don't Brag
Posts: 6960
 
| Been there, done that...now 14 years post wreck. Before, I rode outlaws and dinks because they were easier to afford AND I loved the challenge. I got dumped while horse shopping, it came out of the blue, never got out of a walk, don't remember anything but told the guy what happened at the time (got my bell rung).
I wish I had a magic formula, and if anyone does, please do share!
The only thing I can say is you have to face your fears and go through them. It has been a process for me and I am still going through it. originally I would avoid any place, situation that would cause me fear...all's that did was communicate a lack of confidence on my part. I have face my fears on each new horse I get on and MAKE myself face those scary situations. This has made it difficult, more like impossible to ride my babies and they are getting too old to BE babies, so I have made up my mind that there should be no more babies in my future and I just don't DO bucking anymore. And I am very reluctant to get on any new horse.
The point came for me when I bought a VERY nice young horse, that acted like a young horse, and she scared me. It got to the point I was considering selling her but realized that if I sold her that I would be scared of the next and the next and I might as well quit. The thought of quitting scared me more than my fear so I made myself face my fears and deal with them. I have to go through this process with each new horse I get on. And I make little in roads by doing things like going back to riding bareback on maybe a horse that I am not completely comfortable doing that on....and with each success it gets a little better.
The short of it is, you have face your fears to get through them, I don't have an easier process. For me it also had to include getting piffed off enough at myself to do that.
Edited to add. I was lucky, running a pattern on any horse never scared me at all, but let one shake it head while walking, even hubby steady Eddy pickup horse, and I froze, cried and wanted off.
Edited by rodeoveteran 2017-01-24 12:21 PM
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| It would be the one by Gary Mack & David Casstevens
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I just read the headlines
Posts: 4483
| turnthree - 2017-01-24 12:05 PM
It would be the one by Gary Mack & David Casstevens
Thanks! |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 623
Location: /ARKANSAS | The first thing you do is find you a bombproof (as much as possible). As you ride in the pasture or arena, no barrelracing for a month, ride in ponds, just have fun with one. I think you have to have that bond and that builds trust. I grew up riding broncs because that was all my uncles had. Not now, I bought my last horse, because of a video that show 2 teenagers vaulting up on back and he was just standing there...broke enough, he came from north of Greenbay WI and I live in southeast AR in the corner!! |
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 Take a Picture
Posts: 12841
| Attend a good clinic with a lot of saddle time. |
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 Too Skinny
Posts: 8009
Location: LA Lower Alabama | For me it is a control issue. There are only so many things we can control. Focus on those things. You can not control trips or stumbles or holes in the ground etc but you can control the amount of ride time or training you and the horse put in etc. The fear adds to the thrill for me but I know that I was hurt way worse by a man and his young son (car accident) and I would much rather die doing what I love than some guy taking his kid to alligator alley and not looking twice. I was fearless until I had my daughter. Then you realize you have others to worry about if you get hurt because of bills and work etc. Hugs! |
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Regular
Posts: 84
| I have a very similar story. Galloped track horses for years and years and I would get on anything.. and I mean anything. Outlaws were my favorite. I met my match 5 years ago. Broke every bone in my arm, and my collar bone coming off of him the second time that day at a dead run. Spent a week in the hospital.. after 4 surgeries and 2-1/2 years of physical therapy I finally have some motion back in my arm.. and I was terrified to get back on anything. Even my quiet broke to death horses at home. I did lots of trail riding the first few months back. I also did not trust my barrel horse that I had always previously ran. I honestly think it was the speed of things, and i wasn't ready for that at the time. I did get a 3 year old (which sounds backwards) I personally knew the person who broke her and knew she wouldnt do anything too stupid, and I started riding her everyday.. I built up trust with her, and started working her on the pattern, and after starting to exhibition I gained so much confidence back..after she got to the point she was running, I was back to being comfortable on my barrel horses. It is truly a mind game.. I wish I was on here when I was struggling..the book sounds perfect! I may still read it. I dont think it ever goes away though. I still play mind games with myself.. If I ride a new horse when we get it I never have any issues, but if I see my fiance ride and the horse does something silly with him, I am automatically terrified of it.. Sounds silly.. but I am still worried from time to time. I hope you get your confidence back, I know how terrible it is! Hugs to you |
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  Sock eating dog owner
Posts: 4557
Location: Where the pavement ends and the West begins Utah | Quit looking into the past your not going there anymore. Can't see the future you haven't charted that area. You are living in the now today. you own it make it the best of every moment. fear does not own you. Ride far ride fast. A horse kicked me and put me in the hospital for awhile I was afraid cause I hurt and couldnt move fast. It was beginning to own and I thought god wanted me to quit horse. I said to myself I'm not quitting for god or anyone else and put myself back in the saddle and sluffed it off. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 878
Location: "...way down south in the Everglades..." | I can relate too. I LOVED the challenging ones, the crazier the better. I had zero fear. But then I was in a horrible wreck in 2009, severe head injury, almost put me in a coma. Months later I got back on my old trusty that I'd had for 10 years and broke myself. I did not go faster than a walk for almost a year. I was terrified of the what-if's. Then he passed away and I debated about giving it all up. But that idea terrified me more than the fear of falling/dying and I realized if I was going to keep doing this I'd have to get over my fears.
I don't have a magic answer, time has been the best healer. I don't think stuff like that ever leaves your mind, but you learn to redirect your thoughts and you'll really have to play the mental game with yourself to overcome it the best you can. Do I still have issues today? Yes, I absolutely do. But I accept that fear and push myself just a little past the comfort zone each time it happens and maybe that's really all any of us can do. Little steps, keep pushing, don't give up, and know that you're not alone. Hugs!
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I Don't Brag
Posts: 6960
| cow pie - 2017-01-24 9:49 PM
Quit looking into the past your not going there anymore. Can't see the future you haven't charted that area. You are living in the now today. you own it make it the best of every moment. fear does not own you. Ride far ride fast. A horse kicked me and put me in the hospital for awhile I was afraid cause I hurt and couldnt move fast. It was beginning to own and I thought god wanted me to quit horse. I said to myself I'm not quitting for god or anyone else and put myself back in the saddle and sluffed it off.
Spoken like the young. lol. That what was I pretty much thought until my last wreck and I really didn't get hurt, nothing like past wrecks or what some of y'all have been through on here, which is part of what piffed me off so bad at myself. It affects everyone differently and I find myself actually understanding others unfounded fears, like the adults who freak out the first time they are on a horse and all the horse does is take a step. I always tried to be reassuring and helpful but inside I was pretty much laughing at them. Not any more.
Wait about 25-30 years before your next incident. I have also had several women friends, relatives who had a kid and became fearful because what would happen to their kid if they got hurt?
I stand by my "you have to face your fears, one little step at a time. it will not be easy but the only way is to go through, you can't go around.
Edited by rodeoveteran 2017-01-26 9:01 AM
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 Miss Laundry Misshap
Posts: 5271
| Buy a helmet.
I've had my share of wrecks. Fell off at 4 or 5 under the backend of a horse, got 4 stitches in my forehead for my trouble. Fell of at 12 on to a steel bar. Broke the weld on the bar, and have bruising in my spine still. (I'm 35). Fell off at 17, knocked my pelvis out of whack to the tune of one side being 1 inch higher than the other. Every last one of those...hopped back on after the chiro and kept on going.
Horse fell down with me at a barrel at about age 25-26. Popped out a rib. It HURT. All of a sudden I went from 2D-3D to 4D-5D or not even close. It's SUCKS when you are older! The bounce just doesn't recover as well!
I bought myself a helmet and my head got reset on my shoulders. Went back to 2D-3D. Protect your head and hopefully it will reset your mindset because you'll feel safer. |
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I Don't Brag
Posts: 6960
| Nateracer - 2017-01-26 8:50 AM
Buy a helmet.
I've had my share of wrecks. Â Fell off at 4 or 5 under the backend of a horse, Â got 4 stitches in my forehead for my trouble. Â Fell of at 12 on to a steel bar. Â Broke the weld on the bar, and have bruising in my spine still. (I'm 35). Â Fell off at 17, knocked my pelvis out of whack to the tune of one side being 1 inch higher than the other. Â Every last one of those...hopped back on after the chiro and kept on going.
Horse fell down with me at a barrel at about age 25-26. Â Popped out a rib. Â It HURT. Â All of a sudden I went from 2D-3D Â to 4D-5D or not even close. Â It's SUCKS when you are older! Â The bounce just doesn't recover as well! Â Â
I bought myself a helmet and my head got reset on my shoulders. Â Went back to 2D-3D. Â Protect your head and hopefully it will reset your mindset because you'll feel safer.Â
I'm sorry but I did have to laugh at this response.
25 26 years is older???!!! |
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Miss Laundry Misshap
Posts: 5271
| rodeoveteran - 2017-01-26 8:56 AM Nateracer - 2017-01-26 8:50 AM Buy a helmet.
I've had my share of wrecks. Fell off at 4 or 5 under the backend of a horse, got 4 stitches in my forehead for my trouble. Fell of at 12 on to a steel bar. Broke the weld on the bar, and have bruising in my spine still. (I'm 35). Fell off at 17, knocked my pelvis out of whack to the tune of one side being 1 inch higher than the other. Every last one of those...hopped back on after the chiro and kept on going.
Horse fell down with me at a barrel at about age 25-26. Popped out a rib. It HURT. All of a sudden I went from 2D-3D to 4D-5D or not even close. It's SUCKS when you are older! The bounce just doesn't recover as well!
I bought myself a helmet and my head got reset on my shoulders. Went back to 2D-3D. Protect your head and hopefully it will reset your mindset because you'll feel safer. I'm sorry but I did have to laugh at this response. 25 26 years is older???!!!
When you were used to bouncing as a kid it is! I never blinked as a kid/teen.
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I Don't Brag
Posts: 6960
| Nateracer - 2017-01-26 9:13 AM
rodeoveteran - 2017-01-26 8:56 AM Nateracer - 2017-01-26 8:50 AM Buy a helmet.
I've had my share of wrecks. Â Fell off at 4 or 5 under the backend of a horse, Â got 4 stitches in my forehead for my trouble. Â Fell of at 12 on to a steel bar. Â Broke the weld on the bar, and have bruising in my spine still. (I'm 35). Â Fell off at 17, knocked my pelvis out of whack to the tune of one side being 1 inch higher than the other. Â Every last one of those...hopped back on after the chiro and kept on going.
Horse fell down with me at a barrel at about age 25-26. Â Popped out a rib. Â It HURT. Â All of a sudden I went from 2D-3D Â to 4D-5D or not even close. Â It's SUCKS when you are older! Â The bounce just doesn't recover as well! Â Â
I bought myself a helmet and my head got reset on my shoulders.  Went back to 2D-3D.  Protect your head and hopefully it will reset your mindset because you'll feel safer. I'm sorry but I did have to laugh at this response. 25 26 years is older???!!!
Â
Two of you still doesn't make one of me. Nobody tells you that you lose your bounce. I tried to grab some mane and jump on a horse bareback as slammed in to her side 3 times. The first two attempts I thought that I was just not trying hard enough. Poor mare, I felt like a cartoon character hitting a wall and just sliding down like syrup. And that's been maybe 10 years ago......sigh..... |
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Miss Laundry Misshap
Posts: 5271
| rodeoveteran - 2017-01-26 9:42 AM Nateracer - 2017-01-26 9:13 AM rodeoveteran - 2017-01-26 8:56 AM Nateracer - 2017-01-26 8:50 AM Buy a helmet.
I've had my share of wrecks. Fell off at 4 or 5 under the backend of a horse, got 4 stitches in my forehead for my trouble. Fell of at 12 on to a steel bar. Broke the weld on the bar, and have bruising in my spine still. (I'm 35). Fell off at 17, knocked my pelvis out of whack to the tune of one side being 1 inch higher than the other. Every last one of those...hopped back on after the chiro and kept on going.
Horse fell down with me at a barrel at about age 25-26. Popped out a rib. It HURT. All of a sudden I went from 2D-3D to 4D-5D or not even close. It's SUCKS when you are older! The bounce just doesn't recover as well!
I bought myself a helmet and my head got reset on my shoulders. Went back to 2D-3D. Protect your head and hopefully it will reset your mindset because you'll feel safer. I'm sorry but I did have to laugh at this response. 25 26 years is older???!!!
Two of you still doesn't make one of me. Nobody tells you that you lose your bounce. I tried to grab some mane and jump on a horse bareback as slammed in to her side 3 times. The first two attempts I thought that I was just not trying hard enough. Poor mare, I felt like a cartoon character hitting a wall and just sliding down like syrup. And that's been maybe 10 years ago......sigh.....
Now you've made me laugh! I never could get on anything more than my 52" pony bareback without a stool, fence, barrel etc, so I can picture this bouncing off the side of one! LOL
Sure wish things didn't quit on us as we get "older!" :)
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I Don't Brag
Posts: 6960
| But that's the thing...I didn't bounce.... I splatted on her side and just slid down to the ground. Bouncing would have been preferred. I am sure on lookers found it very entertaining. |
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