I have to ride a horse tomorrow and I'm nervous and i cant cancel what do i do?

Question

im really scared the horse will buck me off and kill me and i dont know how to get on the horse its been like forever since i was on one HELP!

It not for lessons it for going on a trial

Answer 1

Chuck Norris.

Answer 2

I know the feeling of being terrified to ride. I've had a horse buck me off...numerous times...and after that I was scared to ride horses that I knew were perfectly safe.
If you really want to continue to ride you have to get over your fear. DON'T ride a horse that is spooky or unpredictable for a while. Get your confidence up first by forcing yourself to ride a horse that is known to be safe..even a lazy horse. The less energetic the walk the more secure you'll feel. If this horse that you have to try out isn't calm or has lots of energy maybe you can ask to see someone else ride him first so that you can see that he is safe and then take a deep breath and get on. Don't do anything you are uncomfortable with. Ride the horse at a walk for a good long while and don't go any faster unless you calm down. Hope that helps a bit.

oh and sumthing I found that helped me with nerves was singing...it can be embarrasing if ppl are watching but it really works...and it puts the horse at ease as well.

Answer 3

Aww sweetie! First take a deep breath and exhale. Hopefully you will be wearing a helmet, on the very off chance you part ways with the horse, your head will be protected. Spend time before mounting the horse petting it, maybe you can feed it a carrot or just lead it around, or maybe help groom it. Ask the owner/instructor if this horse is good for a beginning rider, and tell them you are nervous. When you do get on, make sure you have someone on the ground holding the horse, and ask if they will walk with you when the horse starts to walk. Try and stay in a small arena or round pen, it is less intimidating than a large arena or open space. Sit up tall, breathe deeply, and keep your heels down. Try not to tense up your muscles as this elevates your stress, which is transmitted to the horse. Remember to smile as you are riding, seriously, you can't frown if you are smiling :)

And please come back after your ride and tell us how it went. You'll be fine, and I bet you'll love it!

Answer 4

Wear boots. Long pants. Show no fear. The horse will respond to confidence so take control. Don't pull on the bit too much as that will hurt the horses mouth. Someone will help you get in the saddle. You didn't say if you will be riding English or Western. Put your weight in the stirrups so you are not bouncing off the saddle. That will make you feel like you are going to fall off or slide off the saddle. If you are riding English...grip with your thighs and leverage your hips and butt off the saddle to get in a rhythm. Move with the horse. But expect muscle soreness. Have fun. Horses are amazing and gentle. Make sure you get a fresh horse or you'll be fighting him to keep going. He'll want to return to the barn. Hope this helps.

Answer 5

Start out looking at this like it's going to fun, and stop being scared. Your friends should be rigging you up with a beginer horse and if they don't, be sceptical. Be the horses friend. Your friends will either saddle for you and show you how. Stand on the left. Hold the rein closest to you and rub the stirup on his side and you will get an idea if this horse has been trained enough to stand while you get on or not. If he moves, get someone to hold him while you get on. (really this horse needs more ground work to be safe but you only have the afternoon.) Keep the horse at a walk to be safest while you get used to each other. Your heels down in the stirups at all times. Sit straight. Look down, do your, head, shoulders, hips, knees, and feet line up? Good, stay that way. Sit deep in your saddle. Keep the reins even, not tight but not super loose. Legs at attention but not clenched. Attention shows that you at the controls. Clenching shows fear and the tightness tells a horse to run. If something spooks your horse don't clench because that tells the horse there is a legitimate reason to fear because you are scared too. Stay at attention heels down and talk to the horse in a smoothing way. Soon they will see that it was nothing. Horses are scared of the littlest things. Just show them you are a friend who will guide them thru any situation and you will be more likely to have a good ride.Horses can figure you out quick so give them a good 1st impression. Watch your friends and let them go 1st. Usually your horse will follow right along without much fuss.

Answer 6

Are you riding a horse that's that's used to being ridden or are you in a rodeo on a bucking bronc? Most trail horses do a good job of looking out for their riders. To mount up, put your left foot in the stirrup while holding the reins (not too tightly) in your left hand to hold the horse steady.. Place your left hand on the saddle horn and your right somewhere on the back of the saddle. Give a good push off with your right foot and leg, swinging it up and over the saddle while pulling yourself up using the saddle horn. If you're short or young someone will probable give you a boost, or you can walk your horse over to a mounting block to get on. It's okay to be scared, but I'm sure you'll get over it pretty quickly because being on the horse is so much fun!!

Answer 7

IF this is a lesson or even a "rental" trial ride type situation tell the person in charge that you are a novice and you are nervous. Some horses are by nature or training "babysitters" and will do their best to take care of their rider, any reputable place will see you get such a horse if you tell them you need one.....

Answer 8

Just try to get to know the horse on the ground 1st and dont do anything risky if you havent ridden in awhile. just stay calm- the horse can feel if you are nervous and will react.and just ask the owner questions about the horse before you get on to make sure that you know what he likes and what he doesnt like. I am almost sure that the horse doesnt want to kill you.

Answer 9

You'll be fine. The chances of you getting bucked off and killed are extremely small. Ask someone to help you mount, and once you're up, just take deep breaths. The calmer you are, the calmer the horse will be. If you freak out and lose your head, so will the horse. So just relax.

Answer 10

dont be afraid. unless the horse has a bad reputation, u will probably be fine. if its for a lesson or something, i highly doubt the instructer would put u on a horse they wouldn.t trust. just try your best not to be scared, because horses can sense that and might even get scared themselves. take deep breaths and dont forget to breathe. i was scared of horses when i first started out but i survived. just try your best to stay calm and dont be over- anxious.


good luck!

Answer 11

Just take a deep breath. The worst thing you can do while attempting to ride a horse is be scared. Be confident. You know what to do, so just do it. Act like a pro, make yourself feel like a pro, and you will do it like a pro. Don't be nervous, you've done this before, and you did just fine then.