Can you overcome nervousness?

[Teajack]

Sorry, indulgent post -

I'm a nervous rider, always have been. Or after reading a couple of books on the subject I know I should say something like I am a rider who can have difficulty dealing with nerves . I started riding again over a year ago and am now at a familiar point - I get the opportunity to ride more forward or less forgiving horses (nothing nuts or ill-mannered, just not plods), but randomly and for no specific reason I turn into a shaking mess instead of riding the horse, which I am perfectly capable of doing. The books I've been reading are helpful, but if I have understood them properly I'm left with knowing that there is a primitive part of the brain which is there to make you panic so you run without thinking if you are about to get eaten. Unfortunately it is also capable of making you panic for no good reason, overriding the logical parts of the brain - the ones which want to get on with riding the very nice horse which I am sitting on, frozen with fear. I can think of a couple of long past things which might explain why my primitive brain is trigger happy, but I wish it would give it a rest now. If horses can learn not to spook at familiar things surely I can too!

So now I'm thinking I might try hypnotherapy or sports psychology or something else, if there is a reasonable chance that it might help. I have no experience of this type of thing - has anyone had positive results, what sort of thing did you do and did it involve a lot of sessions? I'm not very flush ATM so outlay has to be a consideration.

TIA for any replies

 

[milliepops]

I don't have personal experience of using one but I think a sports psychologist or perhaps more specifically a confidence coach could be exactly what you need.
How often are you getting to ride these days? As if there are longish gaps in between sessions I think that can hold you back as you can't pack in good experiences before the demons start to develop in your mind again.

 

[EllenJay]

I think it helps if you can identify what you are actually scared of. With the more forward going horse, are you worried that you wont be able to stop, or are you worried that you will ride badly and “break him”. Once you know what is actually worrying you you can start working on it. If for instance you are worried about being able to stop, then spend a lot of time in walk and halt. Once you get the halt transition perfect, move up to trot and walk, again concentrating on the downward & upward transitions.

i think as pleasure riders we all feel out of our comfort zone at times, but what help to overcome them is building up tools that we can reky on in times of stress.

 

[AlessaDarling]

I had a problem with this a while back and did some sports psychology/performance coaching reading about dealing with nerves, and the one thing that worked for me was to try to trick my brain into thinking the nerves are really excitement. So as early as possible I start thinking positively how excited I am and how much fun it is going to be and smiling (I probably look crazy) to release the positive endorphins I think. And it has worked really well so far.
Funnily enough I saw an actor on a tv programme giving a nervous contestant similar advice - to use the nerves as excitement and that it can provide ‘a powerful tailwind’ which seemed a good way to describe it.
Good luck! Hope you find something that helps.

 

[hopscotch bandit]

I tred CBT which was quite effective for competition nerves. Well until i next fell off anyway. But it did quell the nervous sick feeling before a class.

 

[Bob notacob]

I had a problem with this a while back and did some sports psychology/performance coaching reading about dealing with nerves, and the one thing that worked for me was to try to trick my brain into thinking the nerves are really excitement. So as early as possible I start thinking positively how excited I am and how much fun it is going to be and smiling (I probably look crazy) to release the positive endorphins I think. And it has worked really well so far.
Funnily enough I saw an actor on a tv programme giving a nervous contestant similar advice - to use the nerves as excitement and that it can provide ‘a powerful tailwind’ which seemed a good way to describe it.
Good luck! Hope you find something that helps.

A good hypno therapist or a good sports psychologist will help. What will NOT HELP ,(he shouts) is trying to go it alone .Thats how you/ I got into this mess. I have serious issues these days . I used to race ,(one in 6 chance of hitting the deck ,Spanish steps he wasnt.)But I laughed it off. Now at 64 I find it harder to get my head back in order. Bob slamdunked me the other day .Not his fault .3 months box rest does something to his irish draught soul. I laughed off the fall . It was one pace into the sand school ,a left right left and I was on the deck in the rain and sand .He buggered off back to his box . Unhurt ,it shouldnt have been a problem and I have ridden him regularly since .The thing is I cant take him into the sand-school . He is now turned out and restored to what passes for sanity in an Irish Draught. Dr Jekyll is back but I am still afraid of Mr Hyde.

 

[Kat]

I can recommend a centre 10 confidence coach. I have just done a course because I wanted help with jumping confidence. Another lady was recovering from a nasty fall and really struggling to even get on and walk. It was really helpful.

Also try the book "The Chimp Paradox" I haven't finished it yet but it is helpful. I saw a recommendation for Ant Middleton's book "The fear bubble" too but haven't read that yet.

Finally make sure you have a supportive encouraging instructor who takes a coaching approach rather than just yelling instructions

 

[Teajack]

I don't have personal experience of using one but I think a sports psychologist or perhaps more specifically a confidence coach could be exactly what you need.
How often are you getting to ride these days? As if there are longish gaps in between sessions I think that can hold you back as you can't pack in good experiences before the demons start to develop in your mind again.

Confidence coaching is something I had not though of but it sounds worth investigating - thanks

 

[Teajack]

I think it helps if you can identify what you are actually scared of. With the more forward going horse, are you worried that you wont be able to stop, or are you worried that you will ride badly and “break him”. Once you know what is actually worrying you you can start working on it. If for instance you are worried about being able to stop, then spend a lot of time in walk and halt. Once you get the halt transition perfect, move up to trot and walk, again concentrating on the downward & upward transitions.

i think as pleasure riders we all feel out of our comfort zone at times, but what help to overcome them is building up tools that we can reky on in times of stress.

I'm certainly worried about not being in control. Its a vicious circle because there is no good reason why I won't be unless I freeze and stop riding, which is what happens.

 

[Pinkvboots]

I was considering going on a course that teach you how to fall as I think this is my main fear, there is a place in Welwyn Hertfordshire near me that run them all year and they have a good reputation, I don't know if it's something you think might help you, I can't remember what they are called will have a look!!

 

[Pinkvboots]

It's the centre of horseback combat in Welwyn might be worth a look.

 

[Equi]

I think you can and you can't. I have suffered horrible nerves..and my current boy has 90% got rid of most of them because he is so awesome but i will go up to ride one day and can barely force myself to put a foot in the stirrup. Its irrational and unjust as he is 100% the saintliest horse anyone has ever met but thats how it goes. Most of my nerves now days come from my fear of him triping or just dying in general (older boy but still well fit to ride)

 

[Teajack]

It's the centre of horseback combat in Welwyn might be worth a look.

l'm reading Karl Greenwood's book at the moment and a course there just might be my next holiday ...

 

[Teajack]

I can recommend a centre 10 confidence coach. I have just done a course because I wanted help with jumping confidence. Another lady was recovering from a nasty fall and really struggling to even get on and walk. It was really helpful.

Also try the book "The Chimp Paradox" I haven't finished it yet but it is helpful. I saw a recommendation for Ant Middleton's book "The fear bubble" too but haven't read that yet.

Finally make sure you have a supportive encouraging instructor who takes a coaching approach rather than just yelling instructions

Thanks - will have a look at those

 

[Pinkvboots]

l'm reading Karl Greenwood's book at the moment and a course there just might be my next holiday ...

I am really considering booking a course there in the new year, let me know if you book I am not that far at all! I have the book on my Christmas list

 

[Bernster]

Be interested to hear more about the Karl Greenwood approach. Might add to my Xmas list.

I've found my confidence comes and goes. It isn't a straight line by any means. I found the Chimp Paradox a bit too science/techy for my taste so I haven't finished it. I did find confidential coaching really helpful - Flying Changes coaching. That has given me some helpful tools. That and just continuing to get out and doing it - regular lessons, understanding my fears, working on my mental attitude, pushing myself a bit out of my comfort zone.