Facing My Fears On A Horse That Broke My Arm
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I'm not lucky enough to own my own horse or pony. I ride once a week at a riding school, and occasionally look after my friends ponies. This article is about a very special horse that I used to ride named Basil.
When I first started at Hampsley Hollow Riding Centre, I already had a lot of experiance from my last riding school, which had sadly closed down. They put me on a fiesty little pony called Basil. He liked to go fast, but sometimes had random moods where he would just refuse to move. I loved him and we got along fine.
One lesson, we were doing some jumping, Basil was in a mood where he just spooked at everything; birds, wind and leaves. It was hard to jump, but I was used to Basil being in a spooky mood, so I didn't worry too much about it.
We were heading towards a double, Basil was just starting to calm down and relax, when a large truck pulled up next to the outdoor arena. I rode Basil possitivly and he carried on towards the first jump, when a cat jumped out in front of the truck, causing it to swerve and hit the edge of the outdoor arena, right in front of the double we were approaching. Basil freaked, he kicked, went sideways and galloped to the other end of the arena. I fell off before he galloped away, but his hoof got me on the arm, breaking it. I couldn't ride for a month.
When I was finally allowed to ride again, I got on Basil again, knowing that I needed a successful ride so my confidence wouldn't shatter. We had a great lesson, but our instructor had just opened the gate when a dog jumped out the car and had a barking fit at the horses. Basil reared and cantered off to his stable and I fell off onto my already sore arm.
The next lesson I rode Basil again, I was petrified. This was the first time I'd ever been scared of a horse. Basil kept spooking, and though I didn't fall off, I was in tears by the end of the lesson. I refused to ride Basil again.
A Year Later...
I have been riding a new horse called Brandy. He was lazy, then hyper, then lazy, but he rarely spooked. I adored him. Our riding instructor was organizing a show and we had to sign up with our preferred horse and a reserve horse. They let me ride Brandy.
The day of the show came and I arrived feeling so excited until my instructor told me that Brandy had gone lame, but I was allowed to pick a horse that wasn't being used to ride. Of course, this is my unlucky life we're talking about, so the only avadable horse was Basil. I nearly called the whole thing off until I remembered how much I used to love him. I decided to give it a try.
Despite my fear, we came second in showjumping and fourth in dressage! I was thrilled that I had put my fear behind me and given it a go. I guess the message here is to face your fears!
That was about 6 months ago and sadly I've just grown out of Basil. I have no idea what horse they will put me on next, but I wanted to post this so you all know about the greatest horse in the world, who had injured me, injured me again, scared me and made me feel weak, but still made me a good rider.
I love you Basil xx |
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27 days ago
• 3,522 views
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T W I
Aww, great story!
I'm glad you were brave enough to get back on Basil. :)
Aww, great story!
I'm glad you were brave enough to get back on Basil. :)
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27 days ago
• 3,776 views
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Painted Destiny
Great story! It takes a lot of courage to get back on.
Great story! It takes a lot of courage to get back on.
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27 days ago
• 3,939 views
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27 days ago
• 4,063 views
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Madeirey
They are so cute!
They are so cute!
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27 days ago
• 3,934 views
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27 days ago
• 3,982 views
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27 days ago
• 3,953 views
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Moorlough Kate
You were really brave and I love your story, as soon as I saw the title I gasped and clicked on it straight away without hesitation!
You were really brave and I love your story, as soon as I saw the title I gasped and clicked on it straight away without hesitation!
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27 days ago
• 4,213 views
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No Walkin Farms9
Conquering one fears is difficult. I applaud you for doing so. Thanks for sharing your story.
Conquering one fears is difficult. I applaud you for doing so. Thanks for sharing your story.
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27 days ago
• 4,229 views
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Set Free
That is a good story Im glad you over came your fear and dident stop riding :)
That is a good story Im glad you over came your fear and dident stop riding :)
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27 days ago
• 4,232 views
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scherzo
I was very nervous to start riding the horse who broke my arm as well! I'm glad you two made a good go of it!
I was very nervous to start riding the horse who broke my arm as well! I'm glad you two made a good go of it!
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27 days ago
• 4,204 views
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Emma Watson
Hpe u get well good story
Hpe u get well good story
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27 days ago
• 4,214 views
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Inactive Member
ok i rode again today and iv been put on this horse called mojo....hes ok but he keeps tossing his and and whipping the reins out y hands :-/
ok i rode again today and iv been put on this horse called mojo....hes ok but he keeps tossing his and and whipping the reins out y hands :-/
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27 days ago
• 4,442 views
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Emmurr
awww, what a sweet story with a wonderful message
awww, what a sweet story with a wonderful message
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27 days ago
• 4,414 views
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kingfisher
A horse fell on my leg and is dead now liver cancer. I never rode him after he did that and know he is gone :'(
A horse fell on my leg and is dead now liver cancer. I never rode him after he did that and know he is gone :'(
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26 days ago
• 4,422 views
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26 days ago
• 4,434 views
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Dark Star
My friend fell off her reiner and was nearly dragged, she broke her collerbone, and she was terrified to get back on, but like 5 minutes after she fell, we made her get back on him, not move him or anything, but just get back on him, so she wouldn't be afraid of him (he tripped is the reason she fell)
My friend fell off her reiner and was nearly dragged, she broke her collerbone, and she was terrified to get back on, but like 5 minutes after she fell, we made her get back on him, not move him or anything, but just get back on him, so she wouldn't be afraid of him (he tripped is the reason she fell)
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26 days ago
• 4,411 views
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26 days ago
• 4,435 views
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Simplicity
well done for getting back on him i once fell off a horse 3 time in one lesson but luckly i didnt hurt myself lol
well done for getting back on him i once fell off a horse 3 time in one lesson but luckly i didnt hurt myself lol
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25 days ago
• 4,411 views
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Labyrinth
My trainer likes to say that are not a good rider unless you've fallen off a few times. The best horse men and women have been dumped off and injured. My trainer has broken her pelvis three times in three different places.
Maybe Brandy was just what you needed to gain the confidence to ride Basil again. I have a friend who had to many bad experiences on her horse that she got the point where she was so negative every time she took him out and psyching herself out at shows because she would get so embarrassed when he misbehaved. It took her going to "stupid little 4h shows" (that was just what I'd tell her. I enjoy little 4H shows. haha) and winning for her to gain her confidence and stop expecting him to act like a fool. He did end up going to his next "A" show and never did a single one of his antics.
My trainer likes to say that are not a good rider unless you've fallen off a few times. The best horse men and women have been dumped off and injured. My trainer has broken her pelvis three times in three different places.
Maybe Brandy was just what you needed to gain the confidence to ride Basil again. I have a friend who had to many bad experiences on her horse that she got the point where she was so negative every time she took him out and psyching herself out at shows because she would get so embarrassed when he misbehaved. It took her going to "stupid little 4h shows" (that was just what I'd tell her. I enjoy little 4H shows. haha) and winning for her to gain her confidence and stop expecting him to act like a fool. He did end up going to his next "A" show and never did a single one of his antics.
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25 days ago
• 4,442 views
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Milly
Aww this is a great story. Getting over your fears is the best thing to do.
It makes you invincible to falls :)
Aww this is a great story. Getting over your fears is the best thing to do.
It makes you invincible to falls :)
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25 days ago
• 4,453 views
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Spaztastic
Great story :) Never lose courage :)
Great story :) Never lose courage :)
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25 days ago
• 4,420 views
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Isadorable
Nice job - glad you got over your fear. :)
Nice job - glad you got over your fear. :)
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24 days ago
• 4,438 views
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T E M P E S T
Great story! I'm glad you overcame your fears.
Great story! I'm glad you overcame your fears.
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23 days ago
• 4,481 views
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23 days ago
• 3,638 views
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Artista
Great article! Love the pics!!
Great article! Love the pics!!
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17 days ago
• 3,633 views
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IonNightwalker
You got good imagination,that's about it!
You got good imagination,that's about it!
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May 16, 2011
• 3,686 views
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Makaela Marie
Is this 'Brandy'? http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.western-saddle-horse-tack-for-sale.com/images/gracie6041_edited.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.inetgiant.co.uk/addetails/chestnut-roan-mare/2470258&h=442&w=400&sz=33&tbnid=ALqa5BP1uMAwaM:&tbnh=102&tbnw=92&prev=/search%3Fq%3D%26tbm%3Disch%26tbo%3Du&zoom=1&q=&docid=FdhCLlgBxqLIVM&hl=en&sa=X&ei=hyllT8LHBseK0AW7k9m8CA&ved=0CEAQ9QEwAg&dur=397
Is this 'Brandy'? http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.western-saddle-horse-tack-for-sale.com/images/gracie6041_edited.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.inetgiant.co.uk/addetails/chestnut-roan-mare/2470258&h=442&w=400&sz=33&tbnid=ALqa5BP1uMAwaM:&tbnh=102&tbnw=92&prev=/search%3Fq%3D%26tbm%3Disch%26tbo%3Du&zoom=1&q=&docid=FdhCLlgBxqLIVM&hl=en&sa=X&ei=hyllT8LHBseK0AW7k9m8CA&ved=0CEAQ9QEwAg&dur=397
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14 days ago
• 3,657 views
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Folie A Deux
You forgot to edit the 5 into a 6 again xD
http://www.ponybox.com/photo_album_details.php?id=25706
You forgot to edit the 5 into a 6 again xD
http://www.ponybox.com/photo_album_details.php?id=25706
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May 28, 2012
• 3,627 views
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Mutley Jackson
My favourite horse was the one I broke my arm on xD
My favourite horse was the one I broke my arm on xD
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Jun 10, 2012
• 3,659 views
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