[i_luv_wildfire]

I'm so excited! One of my friends (we'll call her Jane) has shown an interest in coming to the barn and volunteering with me! Downside is that she has zero horse experience and her last memory of a horse is falling off one while getting her picture taken when she was four or so.
Anyway, there was "volunteer training" last night at the barn. New volunteers get info about the farm and the program and get to see how to groom a horse, how to tack one up, etc, etc. So I took "Jane" with me and at the end she even got to lead the demonstration horse back into its stall. And yeah, she sort of got "stuck" in a corner--no idea how that happened--but the instructor teaching the class went and helped her out. So I think with more experience, she could get pretty good. And I know she'll never have a love for horses like all of us do, but I hope everything goes okay and that she at least likes it.
The only thing is, she's kind of afraid of horses and large animals in general (kind of ironic, because she's taller than me, lol). She was a little scared to get close to the horse, I guess she's afraid it's going to bite her or something. But at least she led it, which I think is good.

So, does anyone have any ideas as to how she can become more confident? I think part of the problem is that she's afraid to be firm with horses-like if I had gotten stuck in the corner, I would have just moved the horse over. But I think she assumes the horse will get mad if she does that.
Any tips you can give me to help her become more confident, and stuff? Anything would be really appreciated. I want this to be a good experience for her. Thanks in advance everyone!

[arabgirl15]

This is kind af hard to explain but........... If she gets the horse stuck in the corner go into the stall with her and move the horse over for her. ("Jane" will see that the horse will not hurt you if you push it over a little.)
Tell her to think of the horses as giant dogs, or cats, or pony, ect. Tell "Jane" they are gentle giants. This might help. (you never know)
Hope it helped.

[Quiggles]

Thats great!!! I just think she needs to be arownd horses more and get shown that they are not as dangerous as she think and that they are not going to attack her or anything.

[Sea Ha]

Expalin how horses are prey animals. They hunt nothing and they dont eat meat.... Including humans....

[i_luv_wildfire]

Thanks guys! I think I'm taking her out to the barn with me this Saturday...and like Quiggles said I think she just needs to gain confidence and be around them more.
Anyone else?

[jeda_horse]

Spending time with horses is the key... I introduced my friend (totally unhorsey, into staying out all night, drinking way too much, smoking way too much... she was only 13!!!) anyway so this year I introduced her to horses she started just going out and seeing them and stuff, then helping me look after them etc. then she wants to start riding... well my only horse at the time was jeda who is completely unsafe for beginners, dso I bought another horse, Rusty who is really quite etc. anyway so she stared riding and absolutely loves it she even wants to buy Rusty off me. She still gets nervous and sometimes scared at times when the horses are acting up or what ever but yeah... she has come along way... and you never know your friend may turn out the same...