Here's 10 steps to regain confidence with your horse

 

After the amazing response to our Instagram story, we've been working alongside Bec Lording to help develop 10 steps to help you start regaining your confidence with your horse whether it's on the ground or in the saddle.

Bec has had a lifelong love and passion for all things equine. She has been riding since a very early age progressing throughout the years from pony club through to State and National level. Her background and education in sports psychology and her NCAS Level 1 (general) coaching experience has enabled her to give her riders the benefits of advancing both the mind, body and the horse all of which play an essential part to the success of a rider. riders success.

"No age or time of life, no position or circumstance, has a monopoly on success. Any age is the right age to start doing!" - Ralph W. Gerard

 And with there, we introduce the 10 steps to the new you.

1. Recognise why you have lost confidence or require confidence.

• Was it from a fall/injury
• Over facing oneself
• A long period of time between riding
• Going to the next level with your riding
• Not having a suitable mount
• Lacking correct guidance and support

2. CHOOSE confidence

Once we recognise that we have a confidence issue, we then need to choose to become more confident. Choice is a powerful thing. Once we recognise what is holding our confidence back, we then need to choose and implement the strategies below.

 

3. Set a goal

Set a big picture goal and a short-term goal.  Eg. big picture might be to compete in your first showjumping competition and the short term might be to participate in poles and grids clinics and lessons. Make sure your goals are SMART.

S – specific (or significant)
M- measurable (or meaningful)
A-attainable (or action oriented)
R-relevant (or rewarding)
T-time bound (or trackable)

We need to set a goal in relation to gaining more confidence. Here is a great template and outline of how to start setting SMART goals today.

 

4. Visualisation

Write your confidence goal down and visualise this each day.

Make a point of daydreaming about your confidence growing, see it blooming in your mind.  Rehearse in your mind the activities you will do with your horse when you achieve the confidence boost. Positive mind rehearsals. Watch DVDs and people of higher levels, take notice of your role models. 

 

5. NLP - Neuro-Linguistic Programming

By using positive language and eradicating negative words from our vocabulary will help retrain our patterns of thought. Instead of saying “I can't do that … “, we could instead say “That is challenging, however, it is possible…“ By using positive words we change our feelings about particular things. Our words have a huge impact on our mindset and those around us. 

 

6. Surround yourself with positive people who support us. 

A supportive and understanding friend, partner or coach is an enormous help when regaining confidence

 

7. Acknowledge anxiety is normal and learn strategies to manage this. 

The fear of the unknown can be limiting, especially if we have already had a bad experience (had a fright or an injury).

• Identify worrying thoughts
• Relaxation training
• Sometimes a professional may be required eg doctor (medication) or psychologist

Regulate your anxiety before and during your horse activities. Keep visualising and talking positively.

 

8. Ensure your lifestyle is consistent with achieving your confidence goals. 

Stay fit and healthy, regular exercise, eat well and get sufficient sleep. Ensure your body and mind, as well as your horse, is in good working order.  Build your plan of action.

  

9. Regularly reflect on your accomplishments

It is easy to forget how far we have come when we are focused on our long-term goal. Give yourself a pat on the back every now and then. 

 

10. The most important point to remember...

Ensure you have a good training schedule with realistic goals and a SAFE horse. 

If you are on an unsafe or unsuitable horse in relation to your abilities and training you will set your confidence back further. Seek professional guidance from your coach and possibly a sports psychologist who specialises in equestrian activities. 

Take steps every day to achieve your confidence goal. 

 

So what are you waiting for? You've now been equipped with the knowledge it takes to turn that "I'll just ride tomorrow" voice into the, "Let's conquer this ride" mentality.  

 

Want to get in contact with Bec and find out more about her Riders Mindset Coaching?

Or you can find her business, Elite Equestrian Academy on Facebook or her website.