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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 545
 
Location: Texas | I have ridden since I was two years old and competed about that long. I have always had some nerves, but not anything that was too bad. Then in April of this year, I came off and broke my arm. I had to have surgery with a plate and screws. I was fine when it happened, fine when I had surgery, THEN I went to ride again after 8 plus weeks off and I was fine again, but when I went to run I was awful. I rode like I had never ridden before. I held my horse back and couldn't even hardly lope the pattern. I've never had fear and/or nerves like that. It took me going and riding with a good friend and her having me lope once, go do smething else, lope, again and again until I got somewhat comfortale coasting at home. I then went to a barrel race. She told me to sing when I got nervous. So I stayed at the trailer until right before my run, I got on and was super nervous, I started singing and was able to make the best run I've made since before I broke my arm. Since then I've sang when I need to and tried visualize my run, and tell myself it's the same three barrels I ran at home. I have to remind myself not to over think it. Literally think, ride to the barrel, turn the barrel, ride to the barrel turn the barrel. I still am not where I want to be and still have room to improve to get back to where I was but overcoming this has been hard. Glad this was posted and for the great suggestions offered. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 589
| Beer and/ or Hyland's Nerve Tonic works WONDERS!!!!!!!!!
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 999
Location: Sunny So Cal | Usually if there is no beer I eat part of a calming cookie. I figured they worked for my horse why not me. lol  I know it says for animal use only but it seems to help me... |
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 My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
 
Location: Arkansas | dianeguinn - 2016-10-25 12:36 PM
I pray before every run that the Lord watch over me and my horse and help me ride to His glory. You might ask Him to take away your fear and give you peace. Then I shut my eyes and visualize my run. From walking to the alley, to going down the alley, all three turns and the run home. Your mind does the last thing it sees, so even if something unorthodox happens, you will still react appropriately. I also don't hang out around the alley. I stay at my trailer, or over to the side to do my prayer and visualization. When the horse ahead of me heads into the arena, I take a deep breath, have faith the Lord will take care of me and my horse, and head to the alley. That's what helps me. It also helps to have a calm horse, which I do.
I'm thinking this is the answer. . . . How can you go wrong asking for His help and protection? |
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Industrial Srength Barrel Racer
Posts: 7264
| TXBarrelRacer84 - 2016-10-25 3:02 PM
I have ridden since I was two years old and competed about that long. Â I have always had some nerves, but not anything that was too bad. Â Then in April of this year, I came off and broke my arm. Â I had to have surgery with a plate and screws. Â I was fine when it happened, fine when I had surgery, THEN I went to ride again after 8 plus weeks off and I was fine again, but when I went to run I was awful. Â I rode like I had never ridden before. Â I held my horse back and couldn't even hardly lope the pattern. Â I've never had fear and/or nerves like that. Â It took me going and riding with a good friend and her having me lope once, go do smething else, lope, again and again until I got somewhat comfortale coasting at home. Â I then went to a barrel race. Â She told me to sing when I got nervous. Â So I stayed at the trailer until right before my run, I got on and was super nervous, I started singing and was able to make the best run I've made since before I broke my arm. Â Since then I've sang when I need to and tried visualize my run, and tell myself it's the same three barrels I ran at home. Â I have to remind myself not to over think it. Â Literally think, ride to the barrel, turn the barrel, ride to the barrel turn the barrel. Â I still am not where I want to be and still have room to improve to get back to where I was but overcoming this has been hard. Â Glad this was posted and for the great suggestions offered. Â Â
WOW - you could be ME - this is EXACTLY my story, except I didn't ride regularly until I was 8. But about 4 years ago I too came off, broke my arm, got a plate and screws and my surgeon wouldn't okay me to ride for a year. Well, after that year, I rode and did okay but then I took 2 years off to see my dad more often who was in a nursing home 120 miles away and NOW, I am a total HEAD CASE. I love horses more than anything but I almost feel like I have PTSS! I have started back slow but I am just terrified to get thrown. I was NEVER like this - EVER! I think the key for me is just more saddle time. I guess it's just going to take time. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 407
| I am so glad that I am not alone. :-)
I had a very bad fall that almost cost me my kidneys. I was in the hospital for over a month and then homebound in bed for another month. I was fearless, I could ride just about everything , the wildest the better but after that fall and then many others my low confidence and high anxiety have been a constant battle.
When I started to run barrel two years ago (after many years of dressage training) you cannot believe the struggle but what has helped me the most is my steady eddy mount. My horse has helped me to trust not just in him but in my riding skills. I now have another new mount, a very sane, level headed wonderful horse and my anxiety level is up the roof once again. I know my riding skills are good enough but my mind plays tricks on me. My accident was a long long time ago and can you believe I sometimes relive it like if it happened yesterday? weird uh? But I pray that with saddle time I will trust my new mount just as much as I trust my steady eddy and although I know I will still get nervous it won't be as bad.
Anyways, in my case what helps me besides convincing myself that my horses are saints for putting up with me is singing (yep, I do sing badly but it helps me breath and not turn purple when I am about to run), also I must admit, once in a while I have to have a drink or two, the problem is that I forget to eat at times so I have to be careful with that LOL.
I am still very interested to see what other people do. I know it sounds selfish of me but I am happy to see that I am not the only one battling demons. I do tell you this, I might have to battle them for the rest of my life but I won't let them defeat me. I will do whatever it takes and not matter what, I am going through that gate, anxious or not!  |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 690
Location: Georgia | Besides prayer and a little bit of Xanax, Ive taken my horses Curost calm and adapt before and it worked wonders! |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 585
Location: Texas | My advice is ask yourself Why am I nervous? Injury nerves will go away with time. Most people are afraid they won't do good in front of others. Remember this, no one really remembers what you do unless it's terrible or great. People are more concerned with what they do themselves. I also pray before every run.
Also, a good friend of mine told me long ago...No matter how you do at a barrel race your family will still love you. That's all the matters. |
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Expert
Posts: 1509
Location: TN | Audiable app and download mind gym it is a game changer |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 504
Location: Illinois | So glad you posted this. I had ridden since about 5, had a nice mare that I won money on my permit on, retired her, got pregnant and lost our son. I quit riding and doing anything I previously enjoyed for over 8 years. For some reason I just wanted to ride again, was able to buy a really nice horse a month ago. I'm so nervous I'm making myself sick days before a race and physically shake before I get on. I'm gaining confidence each day but it's a struggle! |
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My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | cruisin3 - 2016-10-26 5:47 PM
So glad you posted this. I had ridden since about 5, had a nice mare that I won money on my permit on, retired her, got pregnant and lost our son. I quit riding and doing anything I previously enjoyed for over 8 years. For some reason I just wanted to ride again, was able to buy a really nice horse a month ago. I'm so nervous I'm making myself sick days before a race and physically shake before I get on. I'm gaining confidence each day but it's a struggle!
Hugs and prayers for you----keep at it, you got this!! |
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boon
Posts: 3
| I to am having trouble getting out of my head!! I have ridden since I was a child. But have been a mom and not been serious about riding and competing for a few years .I have been on the side lines with my daughter competing. I enjoyed that! Now that all the kids are grown and time for me 2 gelding ready to go and I cannot get out of my head! I have the mind game book in my audible app. I am so mad at myself I don't know what is making me doubt myself! |
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| Canchsr_99 - 2016-10-24 5:33 PM
I have rode for several years. Took about a year off and have since been going again for the past two years.  Since starting back I have horrible anxiety/nerves before a run. It doesn't matter if it is a $20 or $200 jackpot. What have you found to help settle yourself down before a run. I need way more help than just deep breathing. It usuallly hits me about 15 before my run. Thanks!Â
A couple of ice cold beers ... |
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 Three in a Bikini
Posts: 2035
| Prayers.
I also try to stay off of my horse until it is my turn.
That way if I do get nervous it is not affecting my horse. |
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 I hate cooking and cleaning
Posts: 3310
Location: Jersey Girl | I am struggling with riding anxiety and I still won't be able to ride for at lease 3 more months......I have been riding almost my entire life and have NEVER been a timid/afraid rider. Its going to be a long road back.... |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 596
Location: Somewhere in the middle of nowhere | I have rider anxiety bad also but my good horse made it worse.....so now he is in the pasture and I am contemplating legging the kid horse up  |
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 Ms. Elvis
Posts: 9606
Location: Running barrels or watching nascar | Tried all of the above and it didn't work, well except the beer thing but I don't drink, lol. I tend to come off mean before I make my run but afterwards I'm fine. It's just nerves. I get nervous/anxiety before I do anything big. I can't watch other people or sit in the bleachers and sometimes I have to. It's just traumatic. I like making my own runs but everything else, ugh! Part of it does come from bad experiences in the past. When I am getting ready, I'll warm up and then just go by myself, whether it's at the trailer, stalls, etc. If we are camping overnight, I'll stay back at the trailer and watch TV and pay attention to other things until it's time to make final adjustments for my runs. This is still something I'm dealing with, and it looks like I'm not the only one. |
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  Independent Cuss
Posts: 3977
Location: Dearing, GA | I have had SEVERE anxiety for about 2 years. It had a lot to do with one or two bad experiences, but when my horse was solid enough to move beyond those experiences, I had a hard time catching up to him. I entered and scratched many many times, got a bad attitude, and would beat myself down before my runs. Finally, after owning this horse for 4 years, I said enough is enough. I sold the horse, bought a babysitter, incredibly consistent 4D horse, and MADE myself run. I put my headphones in and stand by myself as I warm up, I picture the perfect run over and over again, and I say my little prayer for a safe, clean, fast run. I force myself to breathe deeply. Once I made 2 runs on my new horse, I realized I was having a BALL! Find the little tricks that work for you. I've been where you are! |
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 Member
Posts: 27
| tnmagnolia - 2016-10-26 2:28 PM
 Audiable app and download mind gym it is a game changerÂ
I took a few years off mainly getting married, work, and life. When I started back this year my nerves were crazy! I had never really had bad nerves before this. My first barrel race back I was so nervous I could have thrown up and this was at a little back yard jackpot with maybe 40 entries so nothing fantastic at all. My husband suggested that I read a book called Mind Gym that his college baseball coach gave him. I can honestly say that after reading this book my attitude and feelings completely turned around!! It is a book about sports and how to get your mind truly in the game and focusing on the greater outcome. It helped me focus and relax so much that my horse and I have had so much improvement and are hitting the 1D now. I would HIGHLY suggest it to anyone with nerves or in a slump you think you can't get out of. Also watching some videos from professional barrel racers about mental toughness helped me too. Before I even leave the house I pray and ask for peace, protection, and for God to please chill me out! Hope this helps! |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 634
| ~BINGO~ - 2016-10-24 7:37 PM
agree! |
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Folks on-line