Tip for overcoming fear.

[nomdeac]

I thought it might be useful to others to share what I did to overcome my fear of driving my horsebox tonight. I'm not actually frightened of the horsebox it's self only it breaking down and leaving me stranded by the road side with cars zoooming past me at who know what speed and the thought of one of them crashing into me.
To block all these thoughts I sang Ding Dong Merrily on high when driving my wagon at the top of my voice. That stopped me from listening for any changes in the engine sound and then I started thinking about Christmas and what I might cook etc. So I was distracted from my fears.
My tip is then......when you're frightened if you can possibly get away with it sing something highly inappropriate at the top of your voice and you will control your fear and get through it.
Hope it helps someone
Catherine

[laurac]

I fear breaking down with my trailer too so I try to have someone with me just in case but its not always possible,
Great tip re the singing Catherine
I actually started singing to my horse this eve whilst leading him out as he got a little worried when he saw large farm equipment ahead, so i started singing 'we're off the see the wizard from wizard of oz' then i pretended we were in the army and started saying 'left, right, left, right' in time to my boys feet hitting the ground, if anyone had heard me they would of thought I was mad!

[nomdeac]

Grand idea Laurac,
I have a little connemara filly who when being lead stops dead when she needs to go forward. I'll try the left, right, left, right, idea so that I'm thinking forward too. I wonder if I can fit that to a tune so I can sing it!
Catherine

[curlytobiano]

I can identify with the fear of lorry breaking down! I am fanatical about getting mine checked over about 3 times a year, also make sure I have breakdown cover and know exactly where to find the number etc. Also take lots of hay with me and water in case I break down and need to keep the horses occupied. My (new!) lorry did break down - clutch went - and the rescue people came incredibly quickly and all was sorted with very little trauma. Very luckily we were only about 200 yards away from my instructor's school. It is a worry, but take all the precautions you can, and actually the more you drive the lorry the less likely it is to break down as they dont like standing about.

Love the singing idea too (do you think the horse can hear you?) - I've often sung a repertoire of Fairport Convention numbers to various skittish horses over the years when hacking! (showing my age )

[nomdeac]

Hi Curlytobiano, thank you for putting the idea into my head that the more I drive the wagon the less likely it is to break down. I've just had it repaired but had not driven it before then since March I'll reslove to to take it out at least weekly now!!! I have breakdown cover and the number and my mobile number and the horsebox reg number just in case I forget when I'm broken down and stressed, in a folder in the cab with me.
I love Fairport Convention! I'll try Little Matty Groves on my Connemara. I'm more like Crazy Man Michael!!
I don't think the ponies can hear me at least I hope not.
Good luck with your travel
Catherine

[curlytobiano]

I love Fairport Convention!

that's so great... it's SO unfashionable! I taught my 2 children (now 17 and 19) to sing John Barleycorn at the ages of about 8 and 10.

Good luck with your travel too nomdeac ;D

[nomdeac]

Not that this is a Fairport Convention thread but I've never heard their version of John Barleycorn only the Steeleye Span one. I'll look out for it. (Sorry non Fairport fans!)

[kidsmum]

Have been Fairport fan for years and years, once won a raffle prize at Cropredy festival which was playing skittles with the band in a pub!! Great fun!! Showing my age too! (This thread probably should be somewhere else lol!)

[nomdeac]

Am happy to report that John Barleycorn is a very good, 'lets keep walking forward little filly' song.
Wow what a raffle prize though.

[KimT]

I have been know to let out a chorus or 2 from Johnny B Goode- Buddy Holly. lol.

Gotta love that song.

[nomdeac]

Aug 24, 2012 16:22:08 GMT 1 KimT said:

I have been know to let out a chorus or 2 from Johnny B Goode- Buddy Holly. lol.

Gotta love that song.

Love it, it's turned into a songs which keep you going thread. I'll try them all!!

[mc]

Hi- When in doubt I sing that silly theme tune to the old 'Bananna Splits' TV show- I have no idea why!!

[nomdeac]

La la la I remember it well. It's happy and upbeat and so should work I think. Just like my ding dongs, I think I'll alternate!!

[rosief]

This brought back memories. When William used to get iffy, which was most of the time, I'd start singing, anything and everything - Onward Christian Soldiers has a great positive beat! One day O.H. was outside the village delivering lime, and he got talking, farmer asked where he lived. End of conversation, the farmer said - Ah boy, it be your missus who rides round the lanes singin' to er 'oss then, be it? And oi've seen er ridin' 'im backards too! Nice 'oss though!" Needless to say, O.H. was mortified. Can't understand why, doesn't everyone do that!! Brought back happy memories of "my Special One". Still miss you Will. Xx

[nomdeac]

Oh fab RosieF you've gained some local fame. Love your written dialect. Pleased to say the little filly has stopped stopping and started starting.
Good you have special memories, Skewball by Steeleye Span reminds me of my first connemara mare who was my pony of a life time. I used to sing it to her as we galloped home across the stubble. (Oh to be young and brave again!)