Horse Rider Confidence Coaching – 1-1 Coaching vs. Membership

by Alison | Apr 20, 2023 | Rider Confidence | 0 comments

Understanding how we process sensory information can significantly influence how we experience nerves, anxiety, and fear when riding our horse. We use our ‘internal representational systems’, which refer to the primary ways we perceive and internalise our experiences through our senses, to make provide information about our experiences. Our mind filters and uses this information to make meaning of our subjective experience, as a point of reference for the future.

Our internal representational systems are visual (seeing), auditory (hearing), kinesthetic (feeling), gustatory (tasting), and olfactory (smelling). The processed information from each of these senses will impact how your unconscious mind processes your world and have an impact on how you feel about yourself, your horse and riding.

Visual (Seeing)

If you tend to think in pictures, you might visualise potential problems while riding, like imagining a fall or picturing the horse becoming spooked. These vivid mental images can make you feel more anxious. To manage this, you can refocus your mind on visualising exactly what you actually want to happen, in as much detail as you can. Your mind really doesn’t know the difference between what’s real and what’s imagined, and will respond to precisely what you tell it! So using this to your advantage and use your brilliant imagination to create a visualised scenario where things happen exactly as you want them to, and where you manage any surprises with ease and confidence.

Auditory (Hearing)

If you’re sensitive to sounds, the external noise of the horse’s hooves, your horse’s breathing, or sounds from the environment will all add to how you experience riding your horse. Internal sounds, such as your self-talk are also an important factor, since we often don’t realise quite how we speak to ourselves in our mind! Listening to calming music (where it’s safe to do so, obviously!), and positively managing your self-talk before and during your ride will help boost your confidence.

Kinaesthetic (Feeling)

If you are someone who is highly attuned to your feelings and emotions, you might be acutely aware of every physical sensation in your body and how it makes you feel. You might be aware of a knot in your stomach, tightness in your throat, or a very real feeling of having your legs turn to jelly! These type of physical sensations quickly transmit an alert to your mind, triggering nerves, anxiety and even fear. Practising deep breathing or other relaxation techniques can help you manage these physical sensations and reduce your anxiety.

Gustatory (Tasting)

As riders, the sense of taste is one we don’t often think about, and it’s closely tied to memory, where certain flavours can trigger emotional responses. I know of riders who chew minty gum before they ride (never chew gum while riding, as it is a choking hazard), and that minty sensation on their tongue can anchor feelings of readiness and confidence. Being mindful of what you eat or drink before riding and choosing flavours that you find comforting or refreshing can help trigger a shift in how you feel.

Olfactory (Smelling)

Certain smells can evoke powerful emotional responses. I don’t know about you, but I love the slightly warm, sweaty smell of horses who have just worked (that sounds weird, doesn’t it?!). As a child, I dreamed of the smell horses, of leather tack, and even now the first fly spray of the summer brings a reminiscence of happy hacking days. Find those smells which make you feel good and remind you of happy times, then make use of these whenever you can.

Recognising which of these sensory inputs resonates with you most will provide you with simple tools to improve your riding confidence. By consciously adjusting how you seek out and use these sensory inputs, you can help yourself feel more in control and less anxious while riding.

Preferences

While each of us might have a preference for one or more internal representational systems, such as visual, auditory, or kinesthetic, it’s important to note that we don’t exclusively use just one; our mind gathers and uses information from all of them. Think of it like having a favourite tool in a toolbox; even though you might prefer one tool, you still use the others when the situation requires it.

For instance, even if you primarily process your experience in a primarily visual way by imagining scenarios and pictures in your mind, your mind will still also pay attention to what you hear, the physical sensations you feel, the tastes and smells that surround you. Each sense provides a different piece of the puzzle, contributing to a fuller understanding and experience of your environment.

This means when you’re riding your horse and trying to manage anxiety, even though you might focus on using your preferred sensory channel, such as visualising calm and successful rides, you’ll also benefit from tuning into the sounds that calm you, the feel of the horse beneath you, and even calming scents or flavours. Using a combination of all your senses can help create a richer, more grounded experience that can be more effective in managing your nerves.

Simple Tips

Visual

Focus on shifting your mindset by vividly imagining positive outcomes. Instead of letting your mind linger on potential challenges, picture yourself riding smoothly, handling challenges with ease, and finishing your ride successfully. This practice of visualisation can help build your confidence and reassurance.

Auditory

Integrate calming sounds into your daily routine to help soothe your nerves. This could be as simple as listening to the radio while you tack up, or repeating positive affirmations to yourself such as “I am calm and in control” or “I trust my abilities and my horse.” These auditory cues can help create a mental environment of calmness and positivity.

Kinesthetic

Use physical relaxation techniques to reduce anxiety and physical tension. Before riding, try doing some gentle stretches, deep breathing exercises, or progressive muscle relaxation—where you tense and then relax different muscle groups. This not only relaxes your body but also prepares your mind for a more comfortable and focused ride.

Gustatory

Choose flavours that evoke a sense of calm and enjoyment for you. This might mean having a peppermint or a piece of dark chocolate before you ride or sipping herbal tea like chamomile which is known for its soothing properties. These tastes can trigger positive sensory memories and help calm your nerves.

Olfactory

Introduce a comforting and familiar scent into your riding environment. This could be applying a dab of lavender oil on your wrist or adding a few drops of tea tree oil to your riding gear. The smell of chamomile can also be soothing. These scents can significantly enhance your emotional state by triggering positive associations and reducing stress, creating a more relaxing atmosphere for both you and your horse.

By actively engaging these sensory strategies, you can better manage your emotions and enhance your overall riding experience. Each tip is designed to help you focus, relax, and enjoy your time with your horse, making your rides more pleasant and successful.

In conclusion, understanding how your internal representational systems influence your emotions can help you manage your nerves and anxieyt around riding. By recognising your preferred internal representational systems, you can use different strategies to feel calmer and more in control, so you can become a more confident rider.

Owning and riding horses is an amazing, hugely exhilarating rollercoaster ride, but it can also be a challenge for riders struggling with confidence issues. Confidence is a crucial component for success and enjoyment in horse riding, and many riders seek out coaching to help them overcome their fears and develop their skills. However, with so many options available, it can be difficult for riders to decide whether to choose 1-1 confidence coaching or to join a membership programme like Crack the Confidence Code. In this article, we will explore the benefits and drawbacks of each option to help riders make an informed decision.

Horse riding requires a great deal of skill, confidence, and trust between the rider and the horse. However, many riders struggle with confidence issues that can hold them back and prevent them from achieving their full potential. Some struggle with losing confidence after a fall or tricky experience, whilst others face ongoing nerves, anxiety and fear around riding. For many riders, it can feel like they are the only person who is struggling with their lack of confidence.

This is where coaching can be beneficial, providing riders with the support, guidance, and techniques they need to overcome their fears and develop their skills.

There are two main options for riders seeking confidence coaching: 1-1 coaching and communities like the Crack the Confidence Code Membership. Both options have their benefits and drawbacks, and it is important to consider your individual needs and preferences when making a decision.

What is 1-1 Confidence Coaching?

1-1 confidence coaching involves working with a coach on an individual basis to identify and overcome your confidence issues. This type of coaching is individually tailored to your specific needs and goals and may involve a variety of techniques, such as Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), Time Line Therapy™, Hypnotherapy, Sport Psychology, goal setting, plus a wide range of structured, targeted activities and exercises to help you move forward from your current situation, overcome blocks, create new habits and ultimately to achieve your equestrian goals and dreams. 1-1 coaching sessions may be conducted in person, over the phone, or online, depending on the coach and your location.

The results from individual coaching can be transformational and profound. The changes made can mean finally letting go of all the anxiety, fear, and limiting decisions and beliefs which have held you back for so long. The changes made can impact not only your riding confidence, alongside other areas of your life too.

Benefits of 1-1 Confidence Coaching

One of the biggest benefits of 1-1 confidence coaching is the individualised attention you receive from the coach. Your coach can work closely with you to identify and address your specific issues and goals and will tailor their approach to your specific needs and personality. This personalised attention can help you make progress more quickly and effectively than you might in a group setting.

Additionally, 1-1 coaching can provide a safe and supportive environment for you to work through your confidence issues. Your coach can help you build trust and confidence in yourself and your abilities and can offer guidance and support as you work through challenges.

It’s important to check the skill set, experience and qualifications of the coach, to make sure that they’re able to help you specifically with the challenges you’re facing. Always find out as much information as you can about how the coach works, what techniques they might use, and their qualifications and accreditations. You could read testimonials, recommendations and reviews from other riders who have worked with a particular coach, and read the coach’s blogs articles or YouTube videos to get a feel for whether they are right person for you to work with.

Coaching ultimately should be a ‘done with you’, rather than a ‘done to you’ process. It’s collaborative, open, honest and supportive, guiding you along the way to resolution and achieving your goals.

Unfortunately, working with a coach on an individual basis may not be affordable for everyone. It may be that it’s possible to make the changes you want in just a single session. It may also be that a number of 1-1 sessions are required to unpick your mindset blocks and confidence challenges and reprogramme your thinking and beliefs to more helpful, constructive and empowering ways of experiencing your world.

There are no rules; what’s right for one person, may not work for another, and it’s important to agree expectations and outcomes before you begin working together. Many riders experience huge mindset shifts from working 1-1 with a coach, and it can have a huge impact on their whole lives, which makes the investment 100% worth it.

Additionally, scheduling can sometimes be a challenge, particularly if you and your coach live in different locations or have conflicting schedules. Most coaches offer online booking, where you can find their availability, get all the details about the services, sessions and packages they offer, and then book your session online. This gives you the opportunity to find a time slot that works for both of you, without a convoluted series of back-and-forth emails!

While 1-1 coaching can (and should!) be tailored to your specific needs and goals, it may also be limited by the coach’s experience and expertise. You may miss out on exposure to a range of techniques and alternative perspectives that you might have access to in a group setting, particularly when listening to the experiences of other riders and learning from their discoveries.

What is the Crack the Confidence Code Membership?

Think of memberships as a library of resources which you can access at any time, in your own time, to help you take back control of your mindset, grow your confidence and be part of a lovely community of likeminded riders, who will be your biggest supporters and cheerleaders. For example, my Crack the Confidence Code membership community is specifically designed to help riders overcome their confidence issues and achieve their riding goals. Members get access to the ultimate 12-module rider confidence course, hundreds of hours of confidence and mindset training, challenges, hypnotherapy audio tracks, member-only live Q&A sessions, guest expert training, plus the most fabulous, kind and supportive community of riders, who are all making progress towards their equestrian goals.

Just like going to the local library, you wouldn’t force yourself to take out and read every single book, instead, you’d select those books which helped you with your specific needs. In the same way, my membership is a bank of mindset, confidence and personal development resources, all specifically designed to help you make the changes you want, so you can rediscover the joy of riding your horse. Memberships provide the opportunity to make the changes you want, with ongoing support from both the community and the coach.

Benefits of a Rider Confidence Membership

One of the main benefits of memberships is the flexibility and convenience they offer. Being able to access online training when it most suits you and your horse, can allow you to make big changes in your experience, on your own terms. You get to access a range of different approaches, techniques, activities and experiences so that you can make the most of your situation and make progress towards your specific goals.

Building riding confidence, growing self-belief, self-esteem and managing your thoughts and emotions, are all integral parts of becoming the best rider you can be for yourself and your horse. There will inevitably be brilliant times and seasons when you might feel challenged, vulnerable and worried. Life happens, and things don’t always go to plan. The key thing is to get support and help through the tricky times, and find ways to stay grounded when you celebrate the awesome parts!

In the Crack the Confidence Code membership, you can work through the programme and resources at your own pace and on your own schedule, without the need to coordinate with a coach or attend set sessions. This can be particularly beneficial for riders with busy schedules or limited access to in-person coaching. The membership resources are all organised in such a way that is easy to access and navigate and allows for flexibility in how riders progress.

Additionally, the Crack the Confidence Code membership provides access to a community of other riders, who offer support, advice, and encouragement. Sometimes, just realising that you’re not alone on this journey to becoming a more confident rider and that there are other riders who are going through similar things to you, can feel hugely reassuring and empowering. Think of our membership like having a ‘coach in your pocket’; we’re all there for you whenever you need us!

Some riders may prefer the accountability and motivation that comes with working directly with a coach, however through the community and live member-only Q&A sessions, riders can get the support and accountability they need to achieve their goals.

Another potential drawback is the potential for information overload. The Crack the Confidence Code program offers a wide range of resources and tools, which can be overwhelming for some riders. It can be challenging to know where to start and how to navigate the program effectively.

Which Should You Choose?

Deciding between 1-1 confidence coaching and a membership programme like Crack the Confidence Code ultimately comes down to your individual needs, goals, and preferences. Consider your budget, schedule, preferences and the type of support and guidance you need to make progress in your riding.

If you prefer personalised attention and guidance tailored to your specific needs, and have the budget to invest in 1-1 coaching, this may be the best option for you. On the other hand, if you value flexibility and convenience, and prefer to work at your own pace and on your own schedule, a membership programme like Crack the Confidence Code may be a better fit.

It’s also worth considering whether you might benefit from a combination of both approaches. Some riders may find that a few sessions of 1-1 coaching can provide a solid foundation for working through the Crack the Confidence Code program, or that occasional coaching sessions can help them stay on track and motivated. In fact, members of my Crack the Confidence Code community get an exclusive 20% discount on individual coaching sessions too!

Conclusion

Developing confidence is essential if you want to fall back in love with riding your horse again, and there are many options available for riders seeking support and guidance. Consider your budget, schedule, your learning preferences, and the type of support and guidance you need, and don’t be afraid to experiment with different approaches until you find what works best for you.

If you’re keen to (finally) resolve your riding confidence challenges, you can find out more about working with me on a 1-1 basis right HERE, or you can explore what my Crack the Confidence Code Membership has to offer HERE.

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