Welcome to You Got This Equestrian Confidence Series by Hayley at Red Bear Equestrian.
When it comes to equestrian confidence and horse rider confidence, it is something which is so easily dented, after it has taken so long to build.
Yet we often don’t appreciate how long this takes and expect too much, too soon.
It doesn’t matter if you are the most experienced rider or a total novice, confidence issues can strike anyone at any time. In fact some of the top riders have spoken over the last two years about their confidence issues.
Lack of confidence is no fun and can be super frustrating.
I want to share 8 top tips that you can start using now, so how can you start to build your rider confidence:
1 Get the basics right. Make sure you are comfortable and have a safe hat, body pro, and footwear that all meet safety standards. Plus tack which is checked regularly and is comfortable for both you and your horse. This makes a difference to how confident you feel while riding.
2 Improve your fitness and balance. Building up your stamina, flexibility and core will help you feel more in control and aligned when riding. When you can communicate your aids properly and confidently you will feel in control and more confident.
3 Get the bond back. Going back to basics can really help click here to check out a blog I wrote with some great tips on this.
4 Remember it’s your journey and no one else’s. Also remember to stop using comparisons to not get started. They wouldn’t do this, they will judge me, what will they say, they will be watching……………does it really matter? Will they really? Or is it just in your head? We create stories in our head that we believe but often they are not reality.
5 Just get started. All too often we can talk ourselves out of even starting, just taking that first step. We can come up with a million reasons. Often as they say the first step is the hardest but equally after taking it you often won’t look back, no matter how small you will have achieved something. Just take small steps forward each day.
6 Get off and take a break. There is nothing wrong with stopping and getting off. We can sometimes make a situation worse with our own energy, as we get anxious and worried, we project this onto our horses. Making situations worse. By getting off and being able to take a breather, walk, whatever you need, then get back on when you are ready. It breaks the cycle.
7 Celebrate your success. Keep a record of your rides, it could be written, videos or photos. Our minds create a perspective and situation that we perceive as real. However it isn’t always. We can create how we think our rides went. Those huge bucks (that weren’t), the bad jump (that wasn’t), the dressage test that you messed up (but did not really). Having that record helps you see the reality. Plus it allows you to celebrate what went well rather than what went wrong. We often concentrate on the negatives despite there being so many positives, so find a way to focus more on your positives.
8 Get help. Asking for help can be hard but it can be a huge benefit. No matter if it is an instructor or a friend for moral support, having the help, advice, listening ear, even just someone to keep you accountable is the thing you need. Someone else’s perspective often helps realign our own.
Horse rider confidence and equestrian confidence needs to be spoken about more, I am excited to bring you, You Got This Equestrian where we discuss real topics and give real tips that work for real riders.
Join me every week for more inspirational stories, hints and tips to support your equestrian confidence journey.
Confident rider, confident horse. Horse rider confidence and equestrian confidence needs to be spoken about more, I am excited to bring you, You Got This Equestrian where we discuss real topics and give real tips that work for real riders.
Join me every week for more inspirational stories, hints and tips to support your equestrian confidence journey.
Watch the first episode and see where You Got This Equestrian started.