My nerves!
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jayneya
05 Jun 2008 17:35
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When I get nervous at competitions, I have noticed I scrunch my face and feel disconnected. If I focus on relaxing my eyelids it really helps to get me back in my body and this helps connect with my horse and feel what's going on underneath me!
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Zigzac
15 Jun 2008 14:49
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I used to get nervous at shows and went to see a Sports Psychologist who specialises in Equestrian sports. She was utterly amazing and solved my anxiety problems in four sessions.
I was an amateur showjumper and now compete at british novice and winning, winning, winning. My confidence was at an all time low when I had a fall when jumping 1mtr 3, the first time I fell off at this height lead to anxieties every time I went to jump the same hight. The psychologist spent four sessions with me and rid me of the anchor that set the fear and replaced it with positive anchor. It has given me so much confidence that I'm now jumping 1mtr 6 and with her help will keep going higher. I think riding is not just skill but positive mental attitude, it has certainly improved my riding beyond belief.
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rachyrooster
17 Jun 2008 10:45
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I can’t really afford any professional help! But I do get very nervous. The stupid thing is although I am worried, quite logically about things like going cross country, I get much more scared hacking and riding in company, things like cantering in company really gives me the heebie jeebies. Also warming up for cross country scares me, I’d much rather be out on the course. I may just be weird... lol :)
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sarahp
09 Jul 2008 14:45
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Perhaps have a go at some visualisation. Imagine that the hack goes really well and you all enjoy yourselves. Try to think of the positives and how much fun it is rather than focussing on what your horse might do. You can't always think about 'what if' otherwise no-one would ever get on a horse! If you think of the negatives then you will feel tense and your horse will pick up on it and be more likely to spook and get wound up.
My horse is more spooky than almost any other I have ever ridden (still pretends that he's never seen a show-jump filler despite being 16 and having competed for donkeys years; wheelie bins are horse eaters to him and patches of dock leaves can eat your hooves if you're not careful!! - and yes, I have had his eyes checked!!!). Sometimes when I hack my horse I'm doing it for a work out for him so then I have a good contact and make sure he is using himself and working in an outline e.g. trot work or canter work for fitness. By focussing his brain he forgets about spooking (most of the time!)
If I'm going for a relaxing chill out hack then then my reins are usually in one hand with a loose contact (not very 'Pony Club' but I do know him inside out after 8 and half years!!). When I say loose contact I mean a very slight dip in the reins, not a full loop of baggyness. He just mooches along and is very chilled. Even if he has a little spook I would just put my second hand on the rein but still stay relaxed. Or even keep just one hand on the rein and use my legs to channel him forwards and straight. I find that often just voice, leg and seat is enough to make him walk past spooky things and sometimes picking up the contact makes him worse. By not grabbing the reins, pulling on his mouth and tensing my body I am not transmitting any negative signals to him.
When cantering obviously you will have more contact than when ambling along but still keep that contact relaxed and, if you see something you think is spooky or another horse gets close then just give him a half halt to get his attention but keep your leg on to stop him leaping sideways. If he starts to get strong, brace one hand on his neck and give a firm half halt with the other whilst putting your weight back. Don't get into a double-handed pulling war with him because he will definitely win!
So... sit quiet, don't creep up the reins or up his neck, and don't grab his mouth and make an issue out of spookiness or lively behaviour. If you are relaxed then he will be too. Remember... you are his leader and he has to trust you to stay calm so that he can be calm!!! Hope this helps!
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