I want to share with you some really powerful affirmations that you can use when you’re riding to help you overcome the mindset blocks that are holding you back, as it’s really easy to get stuck in a negative mindset, and in an ever decreasing comfort zone. 

Of course, affirmations won’t magically solve all your problems, however they will help you to make the necessary shifts in your mindset so that you can start to find a more positive and empowered way of thinking and help you move to a more solution-focussed approach. 

Using positive statements can help us develop a new attitude to ourselves and our situations. For the positive affirmations to work, you must use it whenever you notice you have that negative thought – immediately turn it around by using your affirmation.

I am a confident and competent rider, doing what I love

I can choose what happens next, and I make the best decisions for us both

I am a positive and proactive rider

I have a great relationship with my horse, and we have lots of fun together

Stop, and breathe, I can do this

I’m OK right now, and now, and now

This is my journey and I’m in control of it

I’m in control of what I think, feel and do

I’m doing the best I can now with what I’ve got, and I’m always learning

I’m improving all the time

Choose a statement from the examples above, or make one that means more to you, and repeat, repeat, repeat throughout the day, every day, of every week, of every month. You might want to make or print out a card with your affirmation, and carry it with you, or even make it the screensaver on your computer or lock screen on your phone. 

Use a statement that starts with “I” and use the present tense. Choose one of the examples, adapt one, or make up your own. Make it something broadly realistic, even if you don’t believe it right now.

The more you use these affirmations, the more you are feeding the right messages to your unconscious mind, and you’ll begin to let go of those old thinking patterns that have been holding you back.