I understand that feeling all too well. It isn't an easy thing. I have been rebuilding my confidence over quite some time through Natural Horsemanship techniques. One thing I have learned that helps me, is to give yourself a 'job'. Make yourself a 'mental pattern' to follow while out riding. I like to do serpentines, circles, stops, side-passes, etc. It gives you some focus and keeps your mind busy and less on potential scary things. (It keeps your horse guessing as well.) I started in a small, familiar field and have gradually broadened our 'horizons'. One of my horses is extremely 'in-tune' to my mental state and if I am nervous or worked up over something, even if it is non-related to the ride, he will be ultra-jumpy and we play off each other, progressively making it worse. I have learned to pay attention to it and if I start getting tight, I take some deep breaths, do some circles and flexing until I can relax and so does he. Maybe this will help you. Good luck and happy trails!

What's your trainer say?

When I am having challenges with a horse, like we just aren't on the same page, I back up a few steps. Do some earlier work, painfully slow ground work and in hand to refind our connection. Calm.

I do some fun things like hand grazing. Playing at liberty in a ring. Kicking a big ball around. We get together without an agenda, throw in a little clicker game, play at liberty again.

and I make sure nothing in the body hurts, teeth are good, feet are good, saddle fit etc. All this is so very hard because in many cases I have to rely on professionals. It has literally taken me years to pull together a team that I can rely on.

Just saying for me, I don't want to ride a horse who considers bolting an option. Could you have too much horse in Jack? I in no way mean to be rude but often times we just end up with the wrong horse. I did with my last one, not Sunny, before him.

there is always the option of rehoming and with all your new insight, get a horse that's fun AND safe for you. there is no shame in learning from mistakes Before you are hurt.

Maybe give him to your trainer to ride for a month and sell and give her a %.

Your mother will sign off now!!!

Good that you don't own him. Can't you find something FUN! It is worth it!

I was actually going to suggest that you ride another horse, until your confidence is back up a bit. Maybe Dealer could help you remember how to relax on a horse again. That in turn, would help you relax some on Jack.

If Jack is consistently spooking out on the trail, you need to give him more to do. Don't just amble down the trail looking for the next bugger. Give him something to do to keep his mind on you, instead of everything else that is going on. This will also give you something to concentrate on to keep your mind off the possibility of a spook or bolt. If Jack does spook at something, make him keep walking by it, until he will walk by it totally relaxed, as if it wasn't there. And by spook, I mean even if he jumps but doesn't really move his feet. Do you understand what I'm talking about there? If we as riders don't correct even the smallest indiscretions they will eventually become big ones. That jump could become a bolt, rear, or buck the next time. If you keep his mind on you, he will not have time to look for that horse eating leaf that just fell off a tree.