Horses are meant to be treasured and enjoyed. So what if you're filled with dread every time you go out to see your horse or the thought of riding your horse causes anxiety? This is nothing to be ashamed of and is actually quite common. It can be worked through and helped. You and your horse have the potential to build a trusting partnership that will allow you to have fun together and feel joy instead of fear.

Fear or anxiety around your horse can be caused by many things:

A traumatic riding accident

Being scared by a spooked horse and not knowing what to do in a situation like that

Feeling like your horse is completely unpredictable

Feeling like no matter what you do, you and your horse aren't communicating at all

Having a very dominant horse that walks all over you

Imagining the worst case scenario

Feeling like you have no control over your horse whatsoever

The list could go on and on. There is always a legitimate reason why you may be feeling afraid and anxious around your horse. They're big animals that speak a completely different language from us and don't know (unless we teach them) that we are in fragile human bodies that can be easily hurt. But you can learn to speak their language and work through training and behavioral issues as well as your own fear and anxiety. Don't settle for anything less. It's dangerous for you and unfair to your horse.

So what's the solution? Honestly, the best course of action is to get outside help. If you don't have a trainer, find one! Horses need to be understood and listened to. You need to learn how to establish clear boundaries with horses so they know what is expected of them. Don't try to do it on your own. This is a time when finding someone who has the experience will be invaluable.

A respected and knowledgeable trainer has spent years working with horses and will have the tools and know-how to teach you how to establish boundaries, how to work through issues that may arise, how to be your horse's leader and help you work through your fear. A good trainer can teach you how to keep yourself safe when working through a spook or behavioral issue and how to make sure your horse knows what's expected of him and how to respect you as the human and leader in the partnership. A good trainer can help you reach a point where instead of dreading the time spent with your horse you are filled with joy at the thought. Your horse will appreciate it too.

Don't let yourself stay in fear and anxiety and mistrust of your horse. Find help and you and your horse can have a beautiful partnership for years to come. Like any relationship it will have its hard times and you must be willing to work and learn and have patience with yourself and your horse. But it is very, very worth it in the end.