How do you get over your fear of jumping a horse?

Many people find the idea of getting on a horse very frightening. It could be because the horse is bigger and stronger than you, or the thought of having the horse run away with you. For whatever reason you might be nervous, a few questions can help you: 1. How well do you know you can ride? If you are a novice rider who has never been on a horse, it is absolutely normal to be nervous, therefore it would be best (and safer) if you go riding at a riding school where there is trained people and horses for you. If you know that you can at least sit or post to the trot and can canter, you have nothing to be afraid of. 2. Do you know the horse you are about to ride? Most horses from schools and holiday resorts are bomb proof because of the many novice riders these horses deal with every day and therefore it is quite safe to get in the saddle. If the horse is a strange horse, ask the owner what type of horse he is. From his/her answer you will quickly realize if you are capable of riding the horse or not. If you are just plain nervous about riding a horse, try to spend a few moments with the horse on the ground, talking to it and patting it until you feel a bit calmed down. Get in the saddle and just sit there for a while and you will soon realize the horse will do nothing without your consent. Not all horses are wild creatures from a western movie!