How do you calm nerves?

M

Moomin1

Well-Known Member
Joined
28 July 2010
Messages
7,969
Visit site
Me and Cobrastyle are heading to a farm ride next Monday, and it will be the first time I have ever taken my mare from the yard in 2yrs that I have had her. She is highly strung, skittish and spooky to say the least, not mentioning the fact that she is a big girl with lots of power.

I am just wondering what people do when they get nervy and downright terrified in situations/new places? Any hints or tips to take your mind of it?:confused:
 
Sing :D a calm upbeat song with a good rhythm. It helps to regulate your breathing and stops you holding your breath and tensing up which will transmit to your horse. Even if it is just under your breath it really helps. Good luck!
 
Thankyou to both of you - I am certainly having a couple of glasses of wine before I head out!!

The singing thing may well really help me actually too - I do tend to have a song in my head all the time when I am relaxed - so if I can keep thinking of that then it may help me to relax enough not to be like a block of stone!!
 
A bottle of brandy and a spliff :D;)..... ....Seriously, I normally sing or talk to whoever I'm riding, silly comments like 'Oh look a scary drain, there must be a monster lurking' or in yesterdays case 'Aah there's a man with a bike on one side and a man on a mobility scooter on the other and you can't stomp on them both! what are we going to do?' had a few funny looks but it works for me and seems to calm the ponies too :o
 
Spiritedly said:
A bottle of brandy and a spliff :D;)..... ....Seriously, I normally sing or talk to whoever I'm riding, silly comments like 'Oh look a scary drain, there must be a monster lurking' or in yesterdays case 'Aah there's a man with a bike on one side and a man on a mobility scooter on the other and you can't stomp on them both! what are we going to do?' had a few funny looks but it works for me and seems to calm the ponies too :o
Click to expand...

Oh I'm terrible for chatting nonsense when I am nervous - and I don't even recall conversations afterwards!! I even say to my horse things like "Oh look, there's a chaffinch, what a lovely birdie!!". :eek:
 
thoroughly agree with both suggestions:)

however i would strongly encourage singing out loud
(well audible to you AND THE HORSE)
as you'll find when singing a song in rhtyhm with horses stride -
the horse will tune in, find you're voice reassuring (honest!) AND will tend to keep their pace regulated to the song

also it is IMPOSSIBLE to hold your breath whilst singing out loud

needs to be a happy song as this adds positive endorphins into the equation too

suggestions are 'zippity do da' or 'bear necessities' from jungle book as both of these have rhythym which suit most horses

remember - breathe and smile

enjoy your trip out
 
Another one who just chats randomly to the horse here! I even asked one if she had had a good weekend once... N i dnt care who hears me 2! Haha good luck xx
 
Moomin1 said:
Oh I'm terrible for chatting nonsense when I am nervous - and I don't even recall conversations afterwards!! I even say to my horse things like "Oh look, there's a chaffinch, what a lovely birdie!!". :eek:
Click to expand...

Yup done that too, I think it works as a twofold thing, talking calms me and pony and as I chat about what I see it makes me more aware of things that may cause a problem.
 
Unlucky you, i've heard of others not suiting it.
Well singing certainly works, for some unknown reason i always start singing Scooby Dooby Doo when i get in a flap and start to panic, and I'm 40 lol :D
My daughter laughs at me and that in turn usuallly calms me because i realise I'm being a plonker and the ploddy boy only takes a wee skip when spooking, that's when he can be bothered :(

Have fun, don't think too much about it or you'll work yourself into a tizz x
 
One of the best things I've seen (in an old copy of Your Horse or similar) was to say to yourself in a high squeaky Ken Dodd voice "I'm really nervous" - it sounds so funny you laugh and relax....
On a more serious note though, in new and difficult situations (I've only had current horse 8 months so am still finding out about him and had to traffic proof him first etc.) is just focus on looking ahead and between his ears. Riding with someone who talks a lot is a great help - I mean someone who constantly natters on about anything - brilliant distraction!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top