How To Get Back In The Saddle Confidently After Time Off

You've had some time off from horse riding and you're feeling ready to get back in the saddle. But, now as the time to actually comes closer... you're excitement has been replaced with anxiety! What can you do?

I’m sharing some of the tips I give my one-to-one Confidence Coaching clients to help them get back in the saddle with confidence and enjoy every ride.

Prefer to watch the video? 👇

And I've used them myself. So I know they absolutely work.

When I asked members of my free Facebook group (The Confident Horsemanship Community) to tell me what they wanted to do but aren't doing yet - there was a common theme in their answers... 

feeling anxious when they get back in the saddle after having some time off. 

They wanted to get out on the trails or go to horse shows, but they struggle with negative "what-if" thinking.

People can have time off from riding for different reasons.

• Winter weather, footing and temperatures are often not conducive to riding.
• Spring or fall can bring rain and mud. 
• Recovery time from an injury or health problem
• School, career or family obligations

Whatever the reason, while you had the time off, you've been looking forward to the time when you could get back in the saddle. 

But when you do get back in the saddle (and sometimes even before that first ride) - you're surprised that you feel anxious!

If your horse has also had some time off, you might find that he needs some help with his focus and confidence, too.

These 6 tips are a guide to helping you get back in the saddle safely and confidently - and ensure your horse is ready for the ride, as well.

Bringing Your Horse Back Into Work After Time Off

Tip 1: Make sure your horse is ready to go back to work. 

Take the time to start with groundwork exercises that help build your horse's muscles and fitness for riding. 

• lunging
• pole work
• long-lining

If your horse has been out of work for some time, he may have separation anxiety because he feels stressed being away from other horses. 

If that's the case, take your horse out for short walks just with a halter and lead rope. 

Hand graze him.

Gradually expand the time and distance you take him away from his buddies so that he doesn’t get stressed.

Because if he hasn't been out for a while then he's going to be feeling similar to how you're feeling. 

His comfort zone and confidence may have become smaller during the time off.

And this time you spend with your horse from the ground is a great way to re-establish your connection with him. And, to get you both fit.

Tip 2: Check your horse's saddle fit and condition

Your horse's muscles will have changed if he has not been worked for a while.

And don’t assume that just because the saddle fit him a few months ago that it will still fit correctly now.

It's best to have your saddle checked by a qualified, independent saddle fitter to be sure it still fits your horse and you well. 

If it's difficult to find a saddle fitter where you live, there are lots of good resources available online to help you to check the saddle fits correctly.

Check out this 9 point saddle fit video by Schleese Saddlery. 

It's really worth the investment to prevent your horse becoming sore and then developing unpleasant and unwanted behavioural issues.

Tip 3: Check your horse’s overall physical wellness.

A qualified equine bodyworker like a massage therapist or chiropractor can ensure that your horse is not dealing with muscle or joint issues. 

And a dental check (which should be done every 6 - 12 months) can prevent issues with the bit.

Taking these first 3 steps ensure that your horse is physically ready for the work he’ll be doing is also a great way to assess how your horse is feeling before you start riding again. 

You can also identify if there are any training issues that you need to address. 

Now that you’ve looked after your horse’s wellbeing, you can focus on what you need to do to prepare for getting back in the saddle.

If you know you’ve got the technical skills to do what you’re wanting to do then the next thing to focus on is your mindset. 

Tip 4: Simple and Short Riding Sessions

It will take time for you (and your horse) to build your fitness and balance. So, be sure to keep your sessions short and review the fundamentals.

Start with 15 minutes at the walk under saddle.

How quickly you increase the length of the sessions depends on how often you're riding.

You can't go too slowly, but you can go to fast!

A good seat is the foundation in all riding disciplines and is critical to your confidence as an adult horse rider.

Walk is the foundation of all other gaits. 

It's often overlooked as riders (and some coaches) are in a hurry to get to the "fun" stuff of trotting, cantering, jumping or games. 

Tip 5: Let go of expectations

You (and your horse) are not going to be as good as you were when you last ride. Especially if you've been away from horse riding for several years. 

Unless you kept active with exercise or other physical activity during the time you've been away from riding, you're muscle strength, suppleness, balance and cardio fitness may all have decreased over your time off. 

Set simple goals based on where you are now rather than on what  you used to do. That will help you to avoid getting frustrated and beating yourself up - neither of which helps your confidence.

Tip 6: Use visualisation to improve your mindset.

One of the most powerful techniques you can use even before you get back in the saddle is visualisation or mental imagery. 

Visualisation is most effective when it’s done when you’re feeling calm, safe and relaxed. 

• Set aside time when you can relax, undisturbed for a few minutes. 
• Recall a time when you had a happy experience riding. Maybe the best ride you ever had. One where you felt really connected with your horse. You were really in the moment. In the flow and really enjoying yourself.
• Once you have that memory in your mind, magnify the images so that they are bold and bright. And if you aren’t able to see a picture in your mind, don’t worry. Just get a sense of what that time was like. 
• Feel it in your body. Bring up those strong positive emotions. 
• Then replay that mental  image over and over and over.

If you’ve had a bad experience, replace your mental image of it with this new, positive image.

Notice how good you feel when you think about that happy memory of being in the saddle.

Emotions and thoughts are connected. So when you change your emotions your change your thinking. 

If you’re feeling anxious, you'll experience negative what-if thoughts.

But, you can change your emotional state by recalling a good memory.

Right now, close your eyes and recall the best ride you ever had. Or choose a good memory from another area of your life. 

Get a good sense of that time... see what you saw, hear what you heard, feel what you felt.

And really bring up those positive emotions of excitement, joy, confidence, and connection, etc. Notice how you now have more positive thoughts about positive outcomes.

That’s the power of visualization. And the power of choosing empowering emotions and thoughts. 

You can change your emotions, by changing the pictures in your mind. 

When you practice doing this often, you'll develop a more resilient mindset.

Is There a Time You Shouldn’t Get Back In The Saddle?

As a horse riding coach and trainer who’s worked with mid-life horsewomen for over 20 years, I can tell you this - there are times when it's wise to pause before you get back in the saddle.

If you're recovering from an injury, struggling with ongoing anxiety, or your horse isn’t physically or mentally ready, pushing yourself too soon can do more harm than good.

That doesn’t mean you’re giving up. It means you’re being smart and kind to yourself and your horse.

The goal isn’t just to get back in the saddle - it’s to enjoy riding and feel confident doing it.

And sometimes the most courageous thing you can do is give yourself (and your horse) all the time you need to rebuild from the ground up.

If you're not sure what’s holding you back - or how to move forward - I can help.
👉 Click here to book a free Connection Call and let’s talk about where you are, where you want to be, and the best next step for you and your horse.