THE NERVOUS RIDER

by John O'Leary
Horseman

© 1995

"A NERVOUS RIDER MAKES A NERVOUS HORSE"      " A BOLD RIDER MAKES A BOLD HORSE"
 

THE CAUSES OF NERVES

• You will cause your horse to become nervous
• You will place yourself in danger
• You will not enjoy your riding
• Your horse could progressively inherit behavioral problems
• It will lose value and become harder to sell
• Your horse will graduate from a "Learner Horse" to a better rider's horse

THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS

• Your body gives off a "Fear Chemical"
• Your brain gives out vibes
• You are signaling to the horse that you have little control and certainly no direction
• The horse starts testing its boundaries and loses respect for you as you are not a leader.
• You become more afraid
• Your start allowing the horse to veer around worrying obstacles. You take the easy option.
• The horse gets more and more nervous and each obstacle is added to an ever growing lists of "I don't go there" places.
• The horse graduates from veering around things to shying
• You lose reactive steering control more and more, which is what started this process in the first place.
• This risks your safety, makes you more nervous and on and on and on.........

THE ATTITUDE OF THE BREAKER

From the day your horse is broken in, it is taught that the "Breaker" has total control and that the horse must obey every command. Horse Breakers' are confident and often "Cocky" types. Strong leadership people. As a result, horses place total trust in the "Breaker" and finds comfort in his leadership. This makes a relaxed, happy horse. The horse learns that no matter where the "Breaker" asks it to go, it never gets hurt. Trainers exhibit confidence, assertiveness and yet, kindness. (See Do horses love us)

THE ATTITUDE OF THE NERVOUS RIDER

Nervous riders' are normally passengers' on horseback. They lack demand, assertive natures, are fearful, have no rein control, don't want any either and in all fairness, are a danger to themselves.

Because the horse was taught to totally believe everything the rider says, it sure as hell soon gets worried when the rider starts steering to avoid things. If the owner veers around a puddle that may be across the trail, the horse could be forgiven for thinking that there must be a crocodile in there. After all, if the boss is worried then the horse should be super worried. It is not the rider putting their feet into the water, is it?

• Always handle your horses with strength, confidence and assertiveness.
• Don't creep around them, march around them.
• Don't gentle put rugs, saddles, blankets on them. Throw them on.
• If a horse hesitates, ride it immediately, with strength and never half heartedly.
• Do not allow deviations in direction.
• When trail riding, go looking for trouble, not trying to avoid it.
• Don't take on anything that you can't win.
• Kids, dogs, electric power tools, stereos are all great for nervous horses.

The effect of the 'nervous rider' on a horse is so profound that I can send one out for a 3 k ride today. Tomorrow, I can ride the same horse, on the same route and note down on paper every problem and the location where the rider may have had difficulties the day before.

Remember, you must control yourself before ever wishing to control your horse.

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