Why are some horse riders brave even if they aren't as skilled or experienced as a less confident rider? Read more to learn the one main reason.
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7 Mindset Shifts You Can Make Right Now To Be A More Confident Horse Rider
There is one main difference between confident or “brave” riders and those that are called “nervous”.
It’s not so much to do with competency or experience. It's actually - what they are thinking.
You’ve probably known riders who were not as skilled or experienced who were more confident about trying new things or didn’t seem to get nervous at horse shows.
Brave Riders Stay Present
Brave riders are always in the present moment with their thoughts.
They are focused on where they are riding and have a plan for getting there while still being able to make adjustments in the moment.
Because they are present, they are fully aware of what’s happening around them as well as what they are feeling from their horse. They are connected.
Nervous Riders Project Into The Future
Nervous or anxious riders’ thoughts are focused on the future - imagining what terrible things could possible happen.
Because your brain can’t differentiate between what is real and what is imagined, those terrifying thoughts are real to your brain.
So it responds as if you are in imminent danger.
Which is why you can feel anxious hours (or even days) before you actually get on your horse.
Brave Riders Have Mental Clarity
Because the brave/confident rider is always in the present moment, she is able to ride with precision and is easily able to respond to changes and make adjustments in the moment so that she prevent things from going wrong.
Because her mind is clear, she is able to make good decisions and take the right actions. So her communication and connection with her horse is always clear and in tune.
Nervous Riders Look For Trouble
Because the nervous/anxious rider is constantly battling thoughts of horrible things happening, she is busy scanning for trouble or signs that her horse is going to do something bad.
Because of this busy-ness in her mind, the nervous/anxious rider becomes paralysed with no clear plan of where she is going.
Her mind and body are in a reactive state so she is not able to think clearly, make good decisions or take the right actions.
She is stuck in a mind and body responding to an imaginary threat.
She is unable to communicate clearly to her horse. She is disconnected and her physical tension gets in her horse’s way - restricting his movement and even inadvertently punishing him which increases the possibility of something going wrong.
And it damages her partnership with her horse.
A Simple Technique To Be Present When Riding
I work with many anxious horse riders (of a certain age) to rebuild their confidence and partnerships with their horses, and get the joy of riding back.
And one of first techniques I teach them helps them to be more present so they focus on what’s actually happening in every moment.
By simply setting up cones or poles, they can focus their thoughts on riding a simple pattern.
Because the mind can only hold one thought at a time, it can no longer create anxious thoughts.
As the mind becomes less stressed, your body can also release physical tension. And that has a positive impact on your posture, connection, and communication with your horse.
So, you feel more confident!
