First time ride nerves...!

[loverofminis]

I cant help it when I get on a colt for the first time no matter how well I have prepared them for the big day of the first ride and no matter how gentle they are I get a bad case of nervousness and anxiety.Like I will put my weight in the saddle lots of times before climbing on and sitting on them and petting them but then if a colt Im sitting on even moves his head I tense (which aint good I know) then I jump down. I mean, I handled this one colt that I just sold, SO gentle for a 3 year old he could have been a kids horse right then. I have sacked him out, lunged him, he knew vocal commands very well, very gentle, no spook or buck or vices, loaded well. But when I got on him for the first time (it was bareback) it was in a round pen he stood there like a pro while every time he moved I jumped ten feet in the air! and he didnt do anything. Well I ended up sending him to a trainer that rode him the first time he was over there. I figured I didnt want to ruin him with my nerves since horses know when your scared.
I have never had a back experience with a green colt, have been bucked off a seasoned barrel horse but never hurt seriously. I think I know what I am doing I have had people say to me I am a good rider and on the right track.
But I cant help it I picture myself flying through the air or getting really hurt off of a first time ride, or ruining a colt. I have a paint paso fino cross gelding that I raised and imprinted from birth and he is doing splendid. I saddled him for a week, no problem. Bridled him for the first time and he flexs nicely to the sides ect. Knows vocal commads VERY well like whoa which is good.
I dont know why I fear first time rides on a colt when getting on a rank adult horse doesnt bother me, not sure why. Its not like I am new to horses, My mom raced TB's and I started riding at a very young age, Started barrel racing at 8 and started breaking and started colts so I dont consider myself a inexperienced rider, maybe not a pro but not someone who just started with horses either.

So does anyone else have this problem and how do you cope with it?

[belleoftheball]

Yes I do. I have been Riding for well over 20 year, more like 28 years. Still the young ones spook me a little especially if I have not raised them. Now older rank horses there is no way I jumping on that. To many other riders issues for me. I would rather have a young one that I or my trainer have started.

[miss_snickers]

Yep. Still get the hibby jebbies. The older I get the more cautious I am and a bad knee to boot. But I know once the horse takes a few steps I setlle in to what needs to be done.
I to have been training horses for a long time, and still get the first time jitters.
You need to have someone there with you on the first ride. Get on, and let them lead you around until you settle yourself down. The horse can feel this and IMO, the only way to work through it, is stay on and see you can do this.

Horses and getting hurt come hand in hand. Its bound to happen. Even the littlest thing as getting your foot stepped on. No one wants to get hurt, but it can and will happen.
If I had a dollar every time I hit the dirt, I would be a rich woman. I get back on and go about by business. Have to get it in your mind that if you do fall off, its something that will happen.

[4jpainthorses]

It happens with everybody. My husband has been training for 40 years and even he gets nervous on the first ride. He never gets on a colt when he is there alone. Most of the time, he just has me there in case something happens but if he has any doubt about one then he either has someone hold, then lead the horse while he gets on or we use another horse and pony the colt a few rounds then he gets on with the colt snubbed up to the other horse. Which is really the best way because they can't do anything snubbed up to another horse.

[proudmomma]

Perfectly normal I think. Hubby is still nervous on first rides. Well, this last time his knee gave out before he got on so I guess he had a right to be! But he can get on an older rank one without a second thought. Strange, but founded I think. I agree you just have to work through it.