At 17:31:09 on 05.09.10, HannahlovesIndy wrote:
Two years ago in October 08, i took a fall from my loyal compaion. IT was mainly my fault since i pushed the warning voice away from my thoughts. So i went into the big pasture behind my barn and followed my parents and friend around. But my dad's horse stumbled and spooked my 3yr old haflinger gelding. It started out as a trot and then broke into a flat out gallop. I'd never finished my riding lessons so i never learned to canter or gallop. I looked and felt like a sack of grain on my gelding's back as he ran. I had no stirrups and slipped off the side of him as he took a turn. I wont ever forget that impacted and how bad it hurt. I was mentally scared and physicly as well. I have several scars on my arms and im terrified to trot, canter or gallop. Not only that i tense up and cant relax when im in the saddle. But the weird thing is i can ride bareback on my gelding with no problem at all and im not tense and im completely relaxed...why do i act like that? I need help.

At 23:09:04 on 05.09.10, JessAndGrenville123 wrote:
I think you feel safer when you don't feel restricted. I am a bit like this, i feel safe riding my ex racer with no bridle just a neck strap but with a bridle i feel... Well restricted. I feel that me and my horse are held back with a bridle, you may feel the same with a saddle. I think you could benefit from lessons on a experienced older horse, learning to canter and gallop on a 3 year old isn't the best plan so don't push yourself to learn on your horse. Take a break from riding your horse and get a more experienced rider to ride him until your confidence is back and you are more sercure on a horse. Only then will he be good for you but also it will be better for him (since he is young and learning) that he needs a experienced rider so only when you can be that person will you be able to help teach him. Does this make sence? Good luck x

At 14:35:37 on 06.09.10, HannahlovesIndy wrote:
Thanks alot, it makes total since to me. My friend rides in rodeos and things like that i might ask her to help me a little bit. But thanks alot, i really never liked saddles from the start, so maybe the saddle does make me feel restricted. I'll definatly look around for lessons and a rider to help me with my gelding. Thanks again.

At 15:29:42 on 06.10.10, Kirsten Bohn wrote:
Hi, I just wanted to let you know that where I keep my horse and teach lessons, everyone rides bareback all the time. We have close to 50 horses and only 5 saddles lol. We go on the trails in the mountains and everything all bareback. So if you're only doing trails and not competing, why would you need a saddle and bridle?
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