What’s Stopping You from Being a Confident Rider

by Alison | Mar 2, 2024 | Rider Confidence, Rider Mindset | 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.

Imagine you’re about to ride your horse, and your heart’s racing, your breathing is shallow, and your legs are like jelly. Despite knowing that you’ve done all this before, all the countless hours of schooling and lessons, a nagging voice in your head whispers, “What if…?” If this scenario feels all too familiar, you’re not alone. So many riders struggle with nerves and anxiety around riding, regardless of their experience level, grapple with confidence issues that stem not from a lack of skill or dedication, but instead from deep-rooted mindset blocks and limiting beliefs.

Confidence in riding isn’t just about how well you can ride; it’s also about how you manage your thoughts, emotions, and behaviours around riding. We’re all on our own path, and confidence is always fluid; sometimes we’re more confident, at other times we are feel stretched and challenged. From the fear of failure to the trap of comparisonitis and a tendency towards perfectionism, there are many mindset blocks, internal scripts and stories, and of course, self-limiting beliefs which get in our way.

But what if I told you that the biggest leap towards confidence doesn’t start in the saddle, but in your mind? In this article, we’ll explore the common mindset blocks and beliefs that might be holding you back from becoming the most confident rider you can be. We’ll dive into strategies to overcome these barriers, transforming them from obstacles into stepping stones on your path to confidence. Whether you’re a novice rider feeling overwhelmed by the journey ahead or an experienced equestrian struggling with hidden fears, this article is your first step towards a more confident and positive riding experience.

Here’s what we’ll cover in this article

Understanding Mindset in Riding

Common Mindset Blocks

Limiting Beliefs that Undermind your Riding Confidence

Understanding Mindset in Riding

Let’s talk about what mindset really means for you as a rider. Think of your mindset as the lens through which you see your riding journey. It’s all about how you view your abilities and challenges. There are two main types of mindsets you might have: fixed and growth.

Fixed vs. Growth Mindset

Fixed Mindset: If you have a fixed mindset, you might believe that your skills and abilities are set in stone. You might think, “I’m just not a natural rider,” or “I’ll never be able to jump like that.” It’s as if you believe you’re born with a certain amount of talent, and that’s all you get. This mindset can make you feel stuck and less likely to try new things or push through challenges because you’re afraid of proving those limiting beliefs right.

Growth Mindset

On the other hand, with a growth mindset, you see your abilities as just the starting point. You believe that you can improve with practice, dedication, and the right guidance. It’s like looking at challenges and saying, “I might not be able to do this yet, but I’m going to learn how.” This mindset fuels your resilience, encourages you to embrace challenges, and helps you learn from feedback instead of fearing it.

Why It Matters

You might wonder, “Why is this important for me as a rider?” Well, your mindset can significantly affect how you approach your riding, how you deal with setbacks, and ultimately, how much you enjoy and succeed in the sport. A growth mindset can be your best ally, encouraging you to see every ride as an opportunity to learn and grow, even when things don’t go as planned.

Common Mindset Blocks

Navigating the world of riding is a bit like going on an adventure. It’s thrilling, but sometimes you might find yourself facing invisible barriers that make the journey seem harder than it should be. These barriers are often mindset blocks—those sneaky thoughts that creep in and whisper doubts into your ear. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most common ones and find out how you can leap over them.

Fear of Failure

First up is the fear of failure. It’s that uneasy feeling you get when you think about making a mistake or not living up to expectations—yours or others’. Remember, everyone makes mistakes, even the most seasoned riders. Instead of fearing mistakes, see them as chances to learn and grow. Next time you fall or miss a step, instead of telling yourself you’ve failed, ask, “What can I learn from this?” This shift in thinking can turn scary failures into helpful lessons.

Perfectionism

Then, there’s the trap of wanting to be perfect. Aiming for perfection in riding is like chasing the horizon; no matter how far you go, you’ll never quite reach it. And that’s okay. Riding is not about being flawless. It’s about the connection between you and your horse, improving bit by bit, and enjoying the journey. Give yourself permission to be a work in progress. Celebrate the small victories, like mastering a new skill or simply having a great day out with your horse.

Comparison with Others

Lastly, comparing yourself to others can be a huge roadblock. It’s easy to look at someone else’s achievements and feel like you’re not measuring up. But here’s the thing: every rider and horse is unique, with their own strengths, challenges, and pace of progress. Focus on your own journey. Set personal goals and celebrate your own achievements, no matter how big or small. Remember, the only person you should try to be better than is the person you were yesterday.

By recognising these mindset blocks for what they are—mere thoughts and not truths—you can start to overcome them. Embrace mistakes as learning opportunities, let go of the need to be perfect, and focus on your own path. This way, you’ll not only become a more confident rider, but you’ll also enjoy the ride a whole lot more.

Limiting Beliefs That Undermine Your Riding Confidence

Now that we’ve tackled those tricky mindset blocks, let’s shine a light on another set of hurdles on your path to becoming a confident rider: limiting beliefs. These are the stories you tell yourself about why you can’t do something, and they can really hold you back. But guess what? You have the power to change these stories and turn them into ones that lift you up instead of pulling you down. Let’s look at a few common limiting beliefs and how you can rewrite them.

“I’m not good enough”

This one’s a classic, and it can sneak up on you, making you doubt your abilities and worth as a rider. But here’s a secret: every rider has started where you are now, and nobody becomes a champion overnight. It takes time, practice, and a lot of patience. So, whenever you catch yourself thinking you’re not good enough, remind yourself of how far you’ve come and all the progress you’ve made. Celebrate every step forward, no matter how small. You are good enough, just by showing up and giving it your best.

“I’ll never be as good as [other riders]“

Comparing yourself to others is like looking through a distorted mirror—it only shows you a skewed version of reality. Remember, every rider’s journey is unique, including yours. Instead of comparing your chapter 1 to someone else’s chapter 20, focus on writing your own story. Set personal goals that matter to you and work towards achieving them at your own pace. Your journey is about becoming the best version of yourself, not a copy of someone else.

“My horse is too [insert negative trait] for me”

Sometimes, the challenge seems to lie not within you but with your horse. Maybe you think your horse is too spirited, too slow, or just not a good match for you. It’s easy to see these traits as limitations, but they can actually be opportunities for growth. Every horse has something to teach us, and every challenge is a chance to improve your skills as a rider and deepen your bond with your horse. Work on understanding your horse’s needs, communicate clearly, and remember that patience and consistent training can work wonders.

By challenging these limiting beliefs and reframing them into positive, empowering thoughts, you unlock a whole new level of confidence. It’s not about denying the difficulties but about facing them with a can-do attitude. Believe in yourself and your horse, embrace the journey with all its ups and downs, and watch as you both grow stronger and more confident together.

Embarking on the journey to becoming a confident rider is filled with ups and downs, but remember, every challenge is a stepping stone to growth. We’ve explored the mindset blocks and limiting beliefs that might have held you back, and now it’s time to put what you’ve learned into practice. Confidence isn’t built in a day; it’s a journey that takes patience, persistence, and a positive mindset.

But you don’t have to do this path alone. If you’re looking for guidance, support, and a community of like-minded riders, our online rider confidence membership is just what you need. Inside, you’ll find resources, expert advice, and a supportive community all dedicated to helping you overcome your fears and build lasting confidence in the saddle. Whether you’re taking your first steps in riding or looking to take your mindset skills to the next level, our membership can help you achieve your goals.

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