At 19:05:16 on 09.09.10, equiluv wrote:
I found this website today while on Facebook. I am in the united states. I have found plenty of time to brouse the web since I have an injury from riding and cannot even work. A lack of confidence has not been to much of an issue in my short riding experience. I am 47 and have only been riding seriously for 3 years. I purchased my first horse in Feb. I have been having a blast. Sitting here in a cast has started me rethinking the sport I enjoy so much. I have a while to recover since I broke 2 bones. I fell jumping a line when I tried to slow my horse down to late between jumps. I am sure this is normal..but I am trying to push away the what if's and negative thoughts that keep creeping into my mind. Any help for developing and keeping a positive attitude while seriously injured??

At 21:15:36 on 09.09.10, JessAndGrenville123 wrote:
Just think how much your horse misses you and think about all the good rides you have had vs the bad ones, i am sure there is more good! I mean if you got knocked over in the street would you never walk down that street again? You need to see that everything has a risk, be it a tiny or large chance it is still there. But the good times see you through. Good look keeping good spirits. Get well soon :)

At 11:45:08 on 10.09.10, Flicka wrote:
Yes Jess makes some good points but it's very normal for us to focus on the one thing that went wrong rather than all the times it went right-I tend to do that myself. And it's particularly difficult to get over a fall when you injure yourself and can't get straight back on. But you have to start re-training your brain to think differently. In this group you'll find lots of good advice from Caroline P and there's a thread with some videos in too. Stop yourself going over your fall and do lots of meditative visualisation of you having a good ride. Because you started to ride later on you're probably more self critical and then when you fell off think you lack ability. Well falls happen to even the top riders but they have a bag full of good memories to pull them through and also they don't dwell on their mistakes but just move forward. Just don't give the bad thoughts space in your head and make some plans for what you want to achieve so you've got something to work towards.Look at videos of riders you admire.(anything by Phoebe Buckley does it for me as her attitude is infectious) I've read that actually watching a sport over and over trains your brain. Just take small steps. Remember when you first get back on you don't have to be jumping and galloping around-Caroline P calls it eating the elephant-you couldn't eat one all in one go but you could if you ate it in small portions-one step at a time :)

At 17:00:11 on 10.09.10, equiluv wrote:
Thanks Jess and Flicka..you are right. What i guess is harder on me is the other people in life telling you your sport is dangerous. The non horsey people. I'm sure they are not trying to be mean, just trying to protect a person they care for.

At 17:11:48 on 10.09.10, equiluv wrote:
Could you please direct me to the the threads with "bach flower" or other remedies I tried looking for them and am interested in reading up on them

At 19:11:40 on 10.09.10, Flicka wrote:
This thread mentions a few bach remedies and other good tips from Caroline P and other members. Just click the link and it will take you there. Yes it doesn't help when non horsey people go on about how dangerous horses are. But so are cars and I think one of the most dangerous things you can do is fish lol!!
http://www.trotontv.com/community/showforum/1511/had-a-bad-fall.html

At 19:17:24 on 10.09.10, Flicka wrote:
She mentions some in this thread too :) I definitely know Star of Bethlehem and mimulus helped me though.
http://www.trotontv.com/community/showforum/1559/is-there-any-hope.html

At 19:24:03 on 10.09.10, Flicka wrote:
Oh and she gives lots of good tips in this thread too!!!
http://www.trotontv.com/community/showforum/597/quick-confidence-tips.html

At 15:25:06 on 11.09.10, equiluv wrote:
hi Flicka ...Thanks so much for the links. I look forward to reading them.

At 22:46:55 on 12.09.10, Em28 wrote:
Hi Equiluv, Im sure you will be fine once you get back on your horse, all the what ifs and self doubt will seem insignificant. I know how frustrating it can be stuck at home with a cast stuck on your leg. Especially when there is work to be done and bills to pay! It is only natural for those around you to be concerned, but horseriding has many benefits in terms of both mental and physical health. Maybe write down on a piece of paper all the positives and the negatives so you can clearly see in front of you just what you love about horses and horse riding to help you think positively. Incidently, the best form of rehab for me was riding (after the initial physio to walk), it really built up the strength in my scrawny leg in a matter of weeks. From it being really painful to ride with my foot in the stirrup to doing loads of trotting. Goodluck with your recovery, how long have you got the cast on for?