7 Things That Are Destroying Your Horse Riding Confidence

Barrier #1 – Focusing on what might go wrong.  

You'll struggle with your horse riding confidence as long as your mind is running in circles about all the bad things that could happen, it’s impossible for you to focus on what is actually happening in the present moment.

You're being reactive rather than pro-active.

What to do instead – Be here now. Your brain can only have one thought and one focus at a time.

So, you'll be a more confident horse rider when you bring yourself into the present moment by putting your focus on what's around you, on your horse and on yourself. In other words, what can you see, hear, feel and smell?

When you pay attention to what is really happening now in this moment, your horse riding confidence increases because you can't also be worrying about what might happen in the future. And, you can prevent things from falling apart – even if it’s only falling apart in your mind.

Barrier #2 – Worrying about the outcome.  

When your focus is on the end result, you'll struggle with your horse riding confidence and you'll miss out on the enjoyment of the journey.

You miss important steps that are needed in the process of getting there.

What to do instead – Focus on each step of the process.  Again, stay present in the moment and avoid thinking too far ahead to the end result. Ask yourself what's the next step you need to take - and think in baby steps.

You become a more confident horse rider and build a solid foundation by identifying and taking each small step that you and your horse need to master in order to reach your desired outcome.

Barrier #3 – Feeling judged by others.

If you worry about what other people are thinking about you, you won't be a confident horse rider.

This performance anxiety can happen anywhere other people will see you riding - in a riding lesson, at a horsemanship clinic or a horse show. Even just riding with others in the arena or hacking out on the trail. 

To be a confident horse rider, let go of what others might think about your performance. Honestly, people are really more concerned about their own performance. So, stop trying to read other peoples’ minds.

Anyone with a negative opinion will quickly forget about you and move on to another target. People who care about you will support you. The opinion of anyone who doesn’t care about and support you is not important.

Elsa is right ... let it go!

Barrier #4 – Taking stresses and distractions into the saddle. 

You had a bad day at the office. You had a disagreement with your kids or your spouse. You were delayed by traffic and now you’re late for your lesson.

Day to day stresses cause physical and mental tension that continues to affect you long after the actual event occurred. It takes between 20 minutes and 2 hours for cortisol to return to normal levels after stressful situations.  

And that tension and stress doesn't only affect your horse riding confidence. It also impacts your horse, your patience and your ability to learn.

What to do instead – Leave distractions and stresses from your life at the barn door. You really don’t want to take them along for the ride. They'll be waiting for you, if you really want them. You can pick them up on your way out of the door. Or you can also just decide to leave them there permanently.

Slow down. Take a few deep, calm breaths. Stretch out your body. Clear your mind. If you can’t leave it behind, do yourself and your horse a favour, give him a scratch and a carrot then walk away. Tomorrow is another day.

Barrier #5 – Being a perfectionist.

It is unreasonable to look for perfection in yourself, your horse or your riding. Perfection is a fantasy - and a definite downer to your horse riding confidence.

Horse riding - like life - really is a journey. There is no final destination. You will have good days and bad days. So will your horse.

What to do instead – Stop striving for perfection. Confident horse riders know that there will always be room for improvement. Recognize where improvement is needed without beating up yourself (or your horse). Re-read #2.

Barrier #6 – Over thinking or over analyzing.

Riding well requires being able to feel your horse. It requires awareness for your own body as well as your horse’s body.

Being too much in your head takes you out of your body - and that impacts your horse riding confidence.

When you over think, the left, analytical side of your brain takes control and limits your ability to sense and feel your horse (or your own body, for that matter). And that stops you from being aware of what's happening in the moment.

What to do instead – Think less.  Feel more. Engage the right, feeling side of your brain by tuning in to the rhythm and movement of your horse’s body, creating an image of how you want to feel (i.e. soft and light like a feather), or humming a tune that calms or inspires you.

Barrier #7 – Taking things too seriously.

When you take things too seriously or only focus on results, riding stops being fun – for you and your horse. You aren’t having fun if you're constantly judging how well you performed or focusing on what went wrong in every ride.

What to do instead - Have fun and enjoy your journey.  You came to horses to have fun  Riding brought you a sense of joy, companionship and fulfillment.

Just like us, horses are social creatures that thrive on interaction and play. 

Some rides need to be about training, but every ride needs to incorporate fun and light hearted interaction to avoid making your horse (and you) sour and resentful.

The bottom line – Being a confident rider requires both technical skills and a positive mindset.  Focusing on enjoying the time you spend with your horse helps to build a better partnership and keeps your passion alive.

You and your horse - calm, confident and connected. Isn't that what horse riding is supposed to be?