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Lickable I mean Likeable
Posts: 3965
    
Location: De Berry, Tx | cindyt - 2015-08-03 1:35 PM
barrelracer4sure - 2015-08-03 1:28 PM Â I know! I watch all these young people run, including my daughter and think, wow I used to be there once! I even had myself talked into really hustling and riding forward on my mare this weekend. Got down the alley and she heard the fans over head and saw the shadows and I didn't kick once. It was horrible. I was so embarrassed. I rode like I was a beginner. I have GOT to do something before I ruin my horseĂź
Ive thought of selling mine for this reason... cause If I can't do them justice someone needs too... I feel your frustrations..... totally!
My horse spooks and I used to laugh and job um back over now... my butt puckers and I grab the horn lol geesh
Â
 I feel your pain! I have thought about selling out too. They are 7, 4 & 3. Bred to the hilt and I am determined I am not selling. If I sell anything it will be the 7 yr old when the other two are going just because she is so ratey and the others I will totally train myself and shouldn't be so hard to ride. So I am determined to ride them. If I eventually sell it will be when they are running. But I see people 10 or so years older kicking my butt and running so I keep that in mind. If they can I can! I just got to get it together! |
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 Take a Picture
Posts: 12842
| Yes Martha has hit her head at least once. The last time was about 7 or 8 years ago on Redman Bay. Never phased her. She is a tiny bit older than any of us. Note I used tiny.
I have a good philosophy now, if I want to win the 1D, have my trainer ride them. Then I say that is my horse. I am jus t happy to be able to go ride.
Edited by streakysox 2015-08-03 1:45 PM
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Expert
Posts: 1343
Location: East Texas | I have had the same problem. Layna Kight (a very Godly woman) told me a couple of years ago that God has dominion over me and that He gave us dominion over animals (which includes our horses). She told me to just speak that to my horse when I get on and remind him of that. I know it is true in my heart, but sometimes it has been hard to get that to my mind! I am still working on it!! |
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 Go For It!
Location: Texas |
I think the key to riding and competing as we get older, is to find the right horse. You need to have a horse that you trust, one that is smooth through the pattern and easy to ride.
Confidence is one of the main topics at our 40 and over clinics, and it is one that many ladies struggle with, myself included. I had t-shirts made that say TRUST GOD - AND HAVE 17 SECONDS of courage! That pretty much sums it up, lol.
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| I've been dealing with low confidence for a few years now and one thing that has helped tremendously is just spending more time in the saddle.
As I grew older my responsibilities grew too. I work full time and have 3 kids, so I obviously don't have the same amount of time to go out and ride everyday like I used to, however lately with the kids getting older and more self sufficient, I've been able to make time.
My horses have since been working better and I've been feeling more confident in both them and my riding. |
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 Ms Bling Bling Sleeze Kitty
Posts: 20917
Location: LouLouVille, OK | horsesinharleton - 2015-08-03 1:43 PM I have had the same problem. Layna Kight (a very Godly woman) told me a couple of years ago that God has dominion over me and that He gave us dominion over animals (which includes our horses). She told me to just speak that to my horse when I get on and remind him of that. I know it is true in my heart, but sometimes it has been hard to get that to my mind! I am still working on it!!
Like with many things in life, it sounds so easy to do... but doing it is another... so I get where your at too...
it's great advice too! |
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Ms Bling Bling Sleeze Kitty
Posts: 20917
Location: LouLouVille, OK | LAC, I too work full time 40+ hours a week and then you have everyday stuff you have to do... I have some dogs, and they are older and have different needs now, then the horses...which the wind was let out of my sails a few months ago and my 9 yr old is crippled and out for the rest of this year... he was my go to guy... my steady ride, had all the confidence in the world in him... until one day I swung a leg in early May and he took off with his head between his knees... let me have it, and I never seen it comin... I took a beating before I even comprehended he was bucking..... so that was my last rides till yesterday... I still hurt from it.
Proud to see there are a few making big strides at staying at it... proud of you all! |
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Ms Bling Bling Sleeze Kitty
Posts: 20917
Location: LouLouVille, OK | grinandbareit - 2015-08-03 1:56 PM I think the key to riding and competing as we get older, is to find the right horse. You need to have a horse that you trust, one that is smooth through the pattern and easy to ride. Confidence is one of the main topics at our 40 and over clinics, and it is one that many ladies struggle with, myself included. I had t-shirts made that say TRUST GOD - AND HAVE 17 SECONDS of courage! That pretty much sums it up, lol.
sure does! lol I had one I trusted till a couple months ago... blaaaaaa |
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  Texas Lone Star
Posts: 5318
Location: where ever my L/Q trl is parked | I agree with all of what was posted....
I lost my confidence about 10 years ago, got some of it back, but not enough. When it got to the point of never improving in the times, being so stressed out before the run then coming out practically crying with relief of having a clean and safe run, just staying in 3d I decided barrelracing was going to be a rememberance not reality anymore. I gave it up a 18 months ago Jan 2014 sold my good mare that I had for 9 years. She was safe and trust worthy, always gives 110% and a honest run. In all those years we might have hit 3 barrels.
I have always trailed ride with my horses so that's what I do now. Horse camping/trail riding is my new 'motto'. So glad some of us can still keep going. 
Edited by Aqhaczy 2015-08-03 2:59 PM
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 Experienced Mouse Trapper
Posts: 3106
Location: North Dakota | Interesting....just watching 200 plus runs on Saturday and thinking with age comes wisdom-so many sour/runoffs with people half my age.....I'm not saying I'm the most confident, but I know sure as heck I'm not going to get thrown off or have a horse refuse the gate.....why do people/parents do that to themselves. I think our memories are clouded....I KNOW I run more confidently now than I did when I was a kid-just went faster and can't remember the mistakes I made (and I know there was plenty) I'm 50 pounds heavier (yes 50) now and am not in the greatest of shape but can still sit a horse and enjoy the heck out of the small accomplishments. Do not limit yourselves by fear, pride etc.......I love this game and will not give it up until I can't do it anymore.... |
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The Resident Destroyer of Liberal Logic
Location: PNW | I am struggling with my confidence at the moment, and not because of my age, but because of my children. I'm in my twenties and have two little boys (1 & 3), and now that I have them - it REALLY matters whether or not my horse slips and goes down on me and I get injured. I find myself not kicking, not hustling, not whipping - not doing anything other than sitting there and then sitting deeper when I want him to turn. I really struggle to "go for it", which frustrates both my husband and myself to no end, because I allow my 1D capable horse to just lolly gag around and lope 3D times - because it feels "safer". Merp merp.....
Hopefully I'll get there soon. |
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Experienced Mouse Trapper
Posts: 3106
Location: North Dakota | haha svincent, you need to imagine those 2 precious children whining and screaming as you enter the gate and sending your horse on an imaginary get away! That would make me go faster :)
Almost all of us have had a crash or ten and surprisingly we survived-right.....that's an accomplishment to be proud of especially if you learned something from it! |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 929
| Glad to see I am not the only one who has lost it...I used to show up at people's places to ride rank rogue horses...with my tiny jumping saddle. People would be like, "you can't ride him with THAT," and I'd be like, "watch me." And I would make it so. Now I have a really talented 3 year old and I'm a little hesitant because he has some slick moves on him. Not so sure I want to beat the arena record at the Thomas & Mack. But then again...I do, so I've got to do something. Sigh. |
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 I Prefer to Live in Fantasy Land
Posts: 64864
Location: In the Hills of Texas | cindyt - 2015-08-03 12:30 PM Well crap NTO... I haven't gotten that far and I have already lost it...lol Im screwed! But you are right, I haven't hauled but to a few shows in the last 10 years...
BR4... girl... I have been bucked off a couple times in the last 3 years and that didn't help... lol the last one was a horse I NEVER seen it comin... least with the other, I didn't know her as well... and she got me... got me good!
You just need to start going again and your confidence will build back up. You have a pretty easy fix. |
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The Resident Destroyer of Liberal Logic
Location: PNW | LMS - 2015-08-03 2:19 PM
haha svincent, you need to imagine those 2 precious children whining and screaming as you enter the gate and sending your horse on an imaginary get away! That would make me go faster :)
Almost all of us have had a crash or ten and surprisingly we survived-right.....that's an accomplishment to be proud of especially if you learned something from it!Â
I'll try this technique at the next race. |
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10D Crack Champion
| Â Hey, hey cindyt! You are 10 feet tall and bullet proof! |
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 My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | mouse4me - 2015-08-03 12:54 PM
I like to think of Tobby Keith's song,
" I ain't as good as I once was, but just once,
I am as good as I ever was."
I hadn't ran in over a year, mostly do to my own health
Issues, I've missed it terrible. So I went to a local
NBHA close to the house. I had a great time,
So did my horse. Looking at it different this time around, just happy to be there!
Good for you, keep having fun!! |
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My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | Herbie - 2015-08-03 1:28 PM
Hey woman, you know all about the confidence issues I have dealt with as well.  What I have done is take the pressure completely off of myself and i've been going to playdays. I don't know a soul there and I have no pressure put on my self to go in there and try to win the barrel race. If I want to trot, I trot, if I want to lope, I lope. What I mostly end up doing is trotting all of the crazy events they have and the making a practice run at the end of the night when it's finally time for the barrels. I've had alot of fun doing this, and it's been great for my horse too! He has had to go up the alley and pay attention and wait for me to show him what we're doing for the other events. The barrels are always the last event, so by the time they roll around, both me and my horse are tired and focused and it has been a really easy way to step back into making runs.....plus, it's been great for my horse to just have to go and endure it. Has taken away the anticipation of him thinking he knows what he's doing and we're learning to trust each other more and more. I have no intention of ever being the one bucket flag race champ or the running w champ, but it sure it good for my horse to go up the alley and have to pay attention and trot through and around barrels and poles and not make a run or go work a set of exhibition barrels everytime we go up the alley.  By far the best thing i've done for me and my horse! And we're close enough we could meet in the middle at some of these playdays!!!!
You are so smart, Herbie!! I've seen so many barrel racers lately that could sure do with some of your coaching. . . |
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Ms Bling Bling Sleeze Kitty
Posts: 20917
Location: LouLouVille, OK | sodapop - 2015-08-03 8:49 PM Hey, hey cindyt! You are 10 feet tall and bullet proof!
ha! only after a few beers... but then again.. I want to go to bed lol |
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Ms Bling Bling Sleeze Kitty
Posts: 20917
Location: LouLouVille, OK | Chandler's Mom - 2015-08-03 10:54 PM Herbie - 2015-08-03 1:28 PM Hey woman, you know all about the confidence issues I have dealt with as well. What I have done is take the pressure completely off of myself and i've been going to playdays. I don't know a soul there and I have no pressure put on my self to go in there and try to win the barrel race. If I want to trot, I trot, if I want to lope, I lope. What I mostly end up doing is trotting all of the crazy events they have and the making a practice run at the end of the night when it's finally time for the barrels. I've had alot of fun doing this, and it's been great for my horse too! He has had to go up the alley and pay attention and wait for me to show him what we're doing for the other events. The barrels are always the last event, so by the time they roll around, both me and my horse are tired and focused and it has been a really easy way to step back into making runs.....plus, it's been great for my horse to just have to go and endure it. Has taken away the anticipation of him thinking he knows what he's doing and we're learning to trust each other more and more. I have no intention of ever being the one bucket flag race champ or the running w champ, but it sure it good for my horse to go up the alley and have to pay attention and trot through and around barrels and poles and not make a run or go work a set of exhibition barrels everytime we go up the alley. By far the best thing i've done for me and my horse! And we're close enough we could meet in the middle at some of these playdays!!!! You are so smart, Herbie!! I've seen so many barrel racers lately that could sure do with some of your coaching. . .
She needs to host a few clinic's... she is motivating! |
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