[HorseCraze120]

I started leasing this horse from this lady. She's about 26-27 yrs old. I'll call her Megan.

"Megan" has two horses. A 17yr old and a 5 yr old. I'm leasing the 17 yr old, because the 5 yr old needed some time off t he track. I've started to notice that "Megan" has been scared of her horses, not only have I noticed that but the barn owner has told me that as well. The 17 yr old is great under saddle but has AWFUL ground manners. He's been getting better, because I am correcting him.

Her 5 yr old she bought off the track, and has given him 5 months out ot pasture to mature. He's very quiet on the ground, has good ground manners. I've only met this horse a few times, today she tried to get on him - ALONE. This was her first time getting on him since he's been off the track. All he did was start to walk as she got on him, and she started ******** out saying" Oh my gosh hes trying to bolt, HELP". And then, she threw him back out in his pasture.

I was shocked by this. She's does this with both horses. So tomorrow, instead of her getting on him, I"M going to be trying to get on him. I've only met him a few times, and I'm brave enough. He didnt even do anything, he just took a step foward.

I'm just curious as to why she would own him if she is scared ofhim.. it worries me.

[Crazy4Apps]

I know a lady whos like thisAnd shes actually a riding instructor!!!!I hate when people have horses just to have them.It drives me nuts.We have a lady that boards her horse with me,and all her horse has to do is pin her ears back and the lady flips out.I just dont know why they have them if they wont/cant/scared to do anything with them.

[ILoveRedRanger!]

Arggg. Hopefully you can help that lady out. Keep us updated!

[Timber_blaze]

I know what the lady is feeling, but I don't understand why she bought the race horse. When I was 16, I bought a green broke filly from my 4-H leader, who was going to help me train her. Fancy was spooky, stupid, and much too big a project for me, and I got too scared of her to really work with her effectively. So I sold her back to my leader and went back to the steady horses. I have no idea why a lady who's afraid of a steady 17 year old would ever buy a young horse. I think she's nuts.

[sirius-dressage]

I know how she feels too. I have been afraid of both Lucky and Nova at different points of time. I was afraid of Nova after he dumped me and dragged me at a show. It took me a while to get over that.

And I was afraid of Lucky after he bucked my mom off and started to become slightly "crazy". He was actually very dangerous at the time, almost kicked me in the chest with his front foot while rearing/cat-leaping with me on the ground. I had every reason to fear him...would have been crazy if I wasn't afraid, because he could have killed me. With lots of training we got out of that phase and he is perfectly sane now.

So...I know what it feels like to be just paralyzed by fear and how frustrating it is. However, if you can't get over it...you need to change something. I changed the way I handled Lucky...using stud chains, leading him with a longe line so I could get out of range if need be, taking him to plenty of shows. After I saw I could handle him more safely, I got over my fear.

For anyone who is that terrified, perhaps the best option is to get a different horse, or get out of horses if it is so terrifying that it is unpleasant. I can't say anything for the girl who owns these horses...maybe there is something going on that we don't know about. It'll be up to her to make a decision regarding the horses, and you can and should definitely help her out if it's a good situation (meaning, you are happy just with the opportunity for more riding, with the knowledge that you two may not see eye to eye about her situation). If anything, it is good experience for you working with another horse and working on your own training abilities.

[crazychickmia]

I understand being afraid of a horse, which is why I get very frustrated with people who are nervous and do silly things.

I was a happy confident rider, then got a horse that gave me a hard time and I lost my confidence. I went back to riding my 14hh pony and my very quiet owned for years TB. I rode them for 12 months before buying a slightly more zippy but very nice natured school master. Another year or so with her and now I'm happily working with OTT TB and problem horses.

I had a horse that I was nervous of. I sold it and rode very quiet trustworthy horses. End of story.

If you are nervous of very quiet and trustworthy horses then I am seriously worried about what you are doing owning them. That's not to be nasty, I'm actually worried about what trouble a person could get themselves into. It's not SAFE.

A horse will follow it's leader, the human, or become the leader.

In the first case, nervous human = nervous horse, could be problems. In the second, which is what happened to me, you get a horse that will take advantage of you and probably start throwing in some dirt.

If you love horses that much but are too nervous to ride, maybe consider a miniature. I know a lady who is VERY nervous of big horses, but she and her husband now run a miniature stud. They love their miniatures, they received the VERY BEST care in my entire area IMO. They're already winning titles. Nothing to be ashamed about!!!

But yeah, I don't understand how if you can be so nervous about something that you will keep trying to do it, even if you're failing or hurting yourself...let alone going and making matters worse by getting a young OTT horse...?

Best of luck, hopefully you can help her. Just ask BrossyLover (not that she's been on here...). BrossyLover was really nervous of her horse, wasn't riding him at all, and I showed for a season. She's going much better now (we'll just not talk about yesterday's debacle ) even ridden at the Royal Show on him

[Peaches1111_00]

People like this need to run retirement centers! It's almost like killing 2 birds with 1 stone. She gets to have horses and enjoy their company and we have a place to know that our oldies but goodies are taken care of. Most retirement centers charge a small amount every month for general care of the horses, so the caregiver wouldn't have to worry about money. Also, if you have a horse that's well trained and good for light riding, they can ride every once in a while too.

If they are too nervous to be around horses and they can't stand up to them to show who's boss, then they shouldn't be in horses.