Horse Lovers! Question from a non-horse person concerning my parents?

Question

Okay horse lovers,I am NOT a horsey person. But I figured posting it here for the better answers.Ok I'm 13 :) just turned in fact, and I'm very non-horsey as I've discovered lately.At my parents request I tried horseback riding, and I really tried to get into the sport but my disposition remains the same.

There's nothing special in my eyes about riding horses.My parents are extreme horse lovers and I really don't want to hurt them but I also really don't want to keep riding.I fell off my mum's horse and didn't get back on because I figured thats my excuse to stop riding but I guess not. I still haven't gotten back on because I dont want to :)

So,horse lovers, is there anything I could say to my parents to give them the hint that Im far from a horse lover and don't want to continue riding,without them thinking I hate horses to death? They are VERY sensitive when it comes to their horses.Thanks:)

Answer 1

Maybe you could try and stretch the truth a bit. Maybe leave out the part that you're not into horses. Just say you're not really into riding. Just say you're scared of riding.

Horses are beautiful creatures. The love for a horse is just as complicated as the love for another human being...if you never love a horse, you will never understand.

But you can't force this on yourself. Neither can your parents.



If you're scared of them and you want to stop being scared then just look at a horse over the stable door. Say nothing. Do it when there's no-one else around and stroke the horse's nose and tell him your deepest fears after about two minutes.



If you don't want to not be scared then fair do's.

Going back to your question. Tell your parents that you have tried riding out and that it really scares you but you have nothing against the animal themselves. Also.- you could lie and say it hurts your legs to ride. Plenty of people have sensitive joints when it comes to riding. Or you could even say that you fell off and hurt yourself and now you couldn't possibly go near a horse ever again. This happens to many riders. They fall. They get hurt. And they're too shaken to ride ever again.



I hope this goes ok for you. And don't worry, your parents might even already know.

Answer 2

Merise, you need to have a serious discussion with your parents, and you need to stop beating around the bush and tell them the TRUTH about how you feel. Horse sports aren't for everyone, regardless of whether they have horse loving parents or not- and if you continue trying to force yourself to ride, sooner or later you really WILL GET HURT. Horses are VERY, VERY good at sensing human emotions, Merise- particularly strong emotions like anger and fear. Your horse will know if you are scared of him or her, and he or she will take FULL ADVANTAGE of that. Your parents also should NOT BE pushing you to do something that is frightening to you. Nobody can think rationally or learn anything when he or she is scared shitless. I'm surprised that your instructor hasn't noticed the signs of fear in you. Being scared to even get on a horse, practically fainting from fear every time you get near one- that's not the behavior of someone who's enthusiastic about riding. It's the behavior of someone who's terrified and perhaps doesn't want to admit it. It's possible that your folks may be mad at you when you tell them how you feel, but they'll get over it if you stick to your guns. They need to realize that they can't relive their own youth over again through you no matter how much they want to. If horses aren't your thing, they aren't your thing, and sooner or later, your parents will start to recognize this.



Good luck to you, and don't put this conversation off any longer. They longer you try to ignore this situation, the worse your fear will get, and the more danger you will be in. And one other thing: Ignore Katie's advice, and DON'T LIE about what's going on. Dishonesty will get you nowhere quick, believe me.

Answer 3

Is your mother teaching you? Maybe you need a different instructor. Sorry you can't make the best of this opportunity. Your parents want to share their love of horses and riding with you.

Answer 4

Parent want to live vicariously through their kids. They'll get over it.

Answer 5

welp the thing is you first have to get over your fear of horses then make sure one last time that you don't want them in your life. for riders (including me) they are a true blessing and they are basically my lifeline. couldn't live without them. however people are different. i just ask to get over your fear first beause you might end up liking it. its no fun if you don't know what you're doing or if you're scared the whole time. if you get comfortable with it then maybe you'll end up liking it

Answer 6

Be honest and tell them how you feel