How to Become a More Confident Rider
Prefer to listen? Here's the podcast:
On your quest to becoming a more confident rider, enjoy learning tips and insights from my twenty-four years of teaching riding, as well as over one hundred hypnotherapy sessions, that have enhanced my understanding of the rider's mind tremendously.
Here are the top ten concepts that I have known to be true for my clients and for myself, when building confidence for riding horses, ponies, and any equine friend that has accepted your invitation to dance.
1. When it's time to ride, take a moment to really notice how you feel mentally, physically, and emotionally. If anything feels off, your horse will most certainly feel it. Remember, horses feel everything.
So how does one check in with themselves in the most efficient ways , you might be thinking? Because let's face it. We are humans. We have to do all the adulting... and that takes up time!
I'm glad you asked. One of the simplest ways to check in is to take a deep breath, place a hand on your heart, and ask yourself: "What do I need in this moment?"
If you have more time you can write in a journal before you ride with more in depth answers and then you'll have a record of how you felt before your ride and notice how it might change the tone of your session day to day.
My Companion Journal for Inspired Riders has the perfect page to check in before and after each ride, if you like having a physical book. If you prefer digital, the Focus App has the daily pages available for you to keep track as well.
You may get answers to your check-ins like:
Drink some more water
Listen to a meditation
Stretch out your upper body
Shake out your body
Take a long walk with your horse, before you ride
The list is endless, because it will truly be what feels right to you in that moment. <<< And this is where your confidence can truly begin to build. The more self-aware you become, the easier it will be to make sound decisions to keep yourself safe and focused.
2. Practice becoming more present with your horse.
If you're rushing or distracted, anxious moments can creep in like a ninja, because you aren't allowing yourself to truly feel what you need in the moment. You might get little twinges in your tummy. Your shoulders might creep up like earrings. Your heart might start to beat faster. You might hold your breath and feel tense all over.
All of these less than desirable feelings can dissipate, once you center yourself, breathe deeply, and focus on the thoughts that will help support you and your horse.
Thinking about potential 'oh no, what if he spooks there and takes off... or uh oh, I hope she doesn't crow hop into the fence'.... will only make you more tense, which, guess what? Your horse will feel that since they pick up on the images you create in your mind and the nervous energy you're putting out. Focusing on the negative 'what-if scenarios' can become a self-fulling prophesy, as those thoughts create tension in your body, causing your horse to feel as if you're not going to be able to support them. Thus creating spookiness or other less-than-desirable outcomes with your horse feeling your nervous energy.
However, if you focus on your breathing and imagine EXACTLY how you want your ride to look, feel, sound, even smell, get ready for more relaxed horse sighs from your horse. Because they know that you're the one leading the dance into beautiful movements, not potential disasters.
3. Decide to become your own cheerleader. The most important words you hear are the ones you say to yourself. What if you decided to speak to yourself like you were the most beloved horse, dog, or small child? How would you encourage and support them?
Perhaps you just need one line to remind yourself to speak kindly to yourself. I simply say: "I've got this!" What would yours be?
4. Treat your body like an athlete in training. The stronger, more supple, and more resilient your body can become, the more confident you will feel. It should be the norm for all riders to do cross-training in a deliberate way. I have challenged myself to do two Pilates sessions, two-three weight training sessions, and one yoga session every week. These times are in my schedule and are non-negotiable, just like my client sessions.
My body has been through so much (five surgeries, including installation of metal plates in my forearm, femur, and hardware in my knee), and I fully understand how hard it is to build yourself back up from any physical setbacks. So if you're reading this wondering, where should I start? Begin with the most basic of training. Add more walking, then choose a workout on YouTube that lights up for you.
When you're truly committed and eager to have structure, I can highly recommend any programs with the amazing Ifa Simmonds. (Click his name to check out his website). I love what he says on his website: You are not an Option, You are a Priority.
Treat your body like the precious cargo it is, ushering you around through time and space on this magnificent planet, and it will reward you with better rides, I promise. Your horse will thank you as well.
5. Surround yourself with encouraging humans. The people you allow close to you and your horse should want to support you and see you succeed. If you're with a trainer or other boarders who are bringing your energy down, it might be time for some tough decisions. It's up to you to advocate not only for your horse, but for your well-being.
Horse time is sacred. It needs to be treated as such and if anyone around you is causing your energy to feel guarded, frustrated, or insecure, it's time to either leave that situation or if that's not possible, to dig deeper into #3 (becoming your own cheerleader), so you can create your own bubble of protection and encouragement.
6. Be disciplined, but not mean to yourself. Deciding to do something and following through will give you more confidence with everything in life. With that said, if for some reason you're not feeling well or you have a conflict come up, give yourself grace.
Do your best to get back on track as quickly as possible, instead of beating yourself up about missing a day of training or eating poorly. You're still human and life happens. The more you can focus on what the next best steps can be, instead of getting upset about mishaps, you'll create a stronger mindset that will serve you in riding, as well as life.
7. Talk to your horse. Seriously. If you start inviting your horse along this confidence building journey in every aspect, by giving them a play by play out loud, the more your horse will trust that you're going to follow through with your invitations. When you say you're up for something and follow through, your horse can relax with your focused clarity. Clarity = Kindness.
Be clear about what you have in mind. Ask them if they are ready and honor what comes up for both of you. Be clear, kind, creative, and curious during all of your sessions. The more you say out loud how you're feeling, how you'd like the ride to go, and even ask them how they are feeling... the more you're going to notice a deeper connection between the two of you, day by day.
Also, a bonus of talking to your horse out loud is that you'll be keeping your breath moving. When you breathe more, you're able to stay present. When you're present, your confidence can solidify big time.
8. Establish a Power Stance and Practice it Often! This is a really simple way to get your entire body on board with feeling more confident. Choose a powerful stance to hold for at least two minutes. It could be as simple as putting your hands on your hips and imagining you are the most powerful super-heroine you love.
For me, I think of Wonder Woman and then I imagine how she would handle anything that came her way. I then imagine I am her. So not only can your power stance be a quick way to bring your body into a confident state, it can also trigger an incredibly imaginative alter ego you've decided to embody.
So as you start getting into your power stance every day, see if you can hold it for a minimum of two minutes. If you choose some really fun music to listen to at the same time, the sound vibrations will also remind your body and mind to take on this confident version of yourself. It may sound silly, but don't knock it until you've tried it!
9. When riding, think of something that will push you out of your comfort zone and break it down to the smallest steps possible.
For example, let's say you've been thinking about cantering, but haven't done it in a while.
Aim to play with transitions within the trot. Allowing it to flow and then collecting it for a few strides at a time. When everything feels just right, the next time you would be opening up the trot back up, instead, decide to sit for a few strides and ask for canter for just four to five strides. As soon as it happens breathe, sit back, allow your elbows to move with your horse's head and then tactfully bring them back to trot.
Be sure to praise your equine friend for the offer and get yourself into a state of appreciation that you're building up your confidence for cantering again. Do this once more in the other direction and then let yourself go back to what feels really easy for you.
For the next session, aim for two of those five stride sets in both directions and keep building up from there for each ride.
Be sure to always listen to your intuition and your horse for every stride, and you'll be well on your way to having more fun and feeling so proud of both of you!
10. Finally, activate your brave button if you need to ask for assistance.
If you really feel stuck, the most courageous thing you can do is seek out assistance from experts. This could be a really wonderful and supportive trainer that your friends have been raving about. It could also be exploring therapy to sort out what has been holding you back.
On that note, the powerful hypnotherapy sessions that I offer worldwide remotely, have been nothing sort of miraculous for building rider confidence. If you'd like to learn more, please visit my page about it and be sure to book a complementary strategy session. I would be honored to assist you on your journey to becoming the most joyful, confident, and relaxed rider possible!
I hope you are feeling inspired to become more confident for riding now! Please do share this blog with any of your horse friends who might benefit.
Thank you for being you!
And... in case you've come across this and wondered what my business was all about...
PS Be sure to check out the current offers on this page: https://www.inspiredriding.com/everything
