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JulieC 
4:58pm, June 10, 2009
My whole adult life I have been scared of horseback riding...Like many others I had a few bad experiences on a horse and decided that I was done with horses. Does that sound familliar? Anyone who has anxiety should be very familliar with this concept. Just take out the words "horseback riding & horses" and fill in the blank. It's a prescription for anxiety! Bad experience/belief + avoidance = ANXIETY!!!
I read the book "Freedom from Fear" by Howard Liebgold, which had a huge impact on how I approach anxiety. One of the concepts is to face your fears...which is often counterintuitive to someone with anxiety. But when you think about it, its actually avoiding the fear that creates/perpetuates the anxiety rather that the activity itself. With this in mind, I decided to take control of my destiny and not leave it in the hands of "fear!"
I actually started this goal back in July and have made some progress. I spent the first few months nervous and tentative about getting on the horse. Each lesson I became a bit more comfortable. I started trotting (which was my biggest fear) and this past week, for the first time I wasn't scared! I liked it! How weird (in a good way)!
UPDATED GOALS
Go on a Trail Ride
Progress 25%
Encouragements: 12
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I have a physical disability, and because of that, one of my doctors once came up with the idea that horseback riding could be very beneficial for me. I was not too keen on the idea for fear that I would fall off a horse. After thinking about it for a while, I decided to put trust in my doctor (and horse) and give it a try.
On my first attempt at riding, it took six people to hold me onto the horse. I almost gave up right then. I considered it an effort in futility. At the same time, there was something inside of me that loved taking on new challenges.
The next week found me right back where I left off the week before -- sitting astride a huge horse with several people on both sides of me walking along to catch me should something go wrong. As the weeks and months passed by, my body became stronger, as did my self-confidence, and the number of people I needed to help me decreased to a bare minimum. It was not long before I only required one person to walk nearby as a preventative measure.
My reason for mentioning all of this is to show that the best way (at least for me) to conquer fear is to meet it head on. I have done this at various times in my life and I have always had a positive outcome.
Congratulations on your newly found horseback riding ability. "Happy trails to you."
JimK
Wooohooo.... I am SO PROUD OF YOU
colored_cheerios
I have OCD and I am learning, though it has taken many years, that I have to do three things. Admit the fear (trying to push it away was pointless), feel the fear and let it be... in other words, don't run from it, and finally take a step, no matter how small, in the direction of what it is I am afraid of. Unless, of course, what I am afraid of is a true threat. One doesn't want to be stupid. I'm no expert at any of this, but I'm working on it a little at a time. Maybe one day!
clutter