Phobia is fear, it doesn't mean a person can't do something or isn't smart or good enough. I have found the children that were often the most afraid of getting on my pony to ride it ended up being the ones that actually liked it the most once they got past that fear (phobia). That is actually why I liked working with young children because if they learn to conquer their fear (phobia) early enough it helps them in so many ways while they are growing and developing into adulthood.