I'm glad to see you want to get back to riding! I hate to see people leave horseback riding and never come back after an incident- it makes me sad for some reason, lol.

You are doing the right thing- talking to your old instructor, hanging around the barns, etc. If you aren't exactly ready to get on a horse, maybe you could have someone pick out the calmest horse at the barn, then you watch other people ride that horse, get an idea of how it moves, responds to people, etc. and spend quality time walking and grooming that horse. Once you feel you have the horses' trust and/or comfortable with that horse, mount the horse, and do VERY BASIC work in the arena- walking, stopping, turning, etc. Have a person walk you around the arena if you really feel the need of extra protection. Ride for about 10 minutes or so and stop. Talk to the horse while you ride, let the horse know exactly who is on its back aiding them around the arena. I find it extremely relaxing to talk to horses when I ride them, about the stupidest stuff too. I find it to be very calming for me and the horse, and they actually listen unlike a lot of people I try to talk to. Talking to a horse is very effective! If you are really worried about being injured where a protective vest along with a helmet. You have to be sure though, that you do not show your nervousness while you are on the horses back, because they can sense that and will take full advantage for your uneasiness if they really desire to do so.

Thankfully, I have never been truly afraid of horses, even when I was extremely little, I was bitten by the horse bug at age 3 or 4 or so and have been obsessed with them ever since. I have been thorough so much, if I wasn't so obsessed I would want nothing to do with horses! LOL! I've been kicked and bitten so many times I lost count- last year I got nailed in the shin and I have a permanent chip in my bone and I almost got killed by a horse named KJ, he missed my head by about 2 inches- if Adam hadn't screamed "DUCK". OH!! And the time I was cantering around on Spirit bareback and the little s*&# slammed on his brakes sending me flying over his head and neck! Or the time Jack pinned my leg against a nail in the wall! Or the time a turkey came running out on the trail causing Buddy to gallop thorough heavy woods smackin my face in tree braches and limbs. AHH! I have plenty of good ol' memories!

If you get back on a horse and ride after a traumatic incident it teaches you the best kind of confidence in the world- I guarantee it. It takes a lot of guts to get on the back of a 1500 # animal who could easily kill you! Just take it one step at a time, nice and slow, get to know the horse/s you want to ride really well from the ground and work your way up. Once you re-gain your confidence in your riding ability it will be the greatest award ever!!

Oh, btw, check out the book "She Flies Without Wings", one of the most powerful horse books I have ever read- I am 1/2 thorough it and can't put it down. I can PM you details if you want, lemme know.

Good luck! Get back to riding!

-YLL
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