Sorry, Confidence again..

Hels_Bels

Hels_Bels

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Those of you that have had knocks/ bad times,

How have you built up your confidence again.


I spent the morning with my friends horse and was grooming her and was fine, but it's the riding I have to get back into, as I have a lesson 2moro was hoping for some inspiration

Thanx in advance
 
Probably a bit boring but just taking it totally slowly... Even to the point of being led around! It takes time and from what i've found its best to ride as often as possible for short periods. Its just a case of retraining yourself with positive experiences if that makes sense? I've also had lots of help from a really good instructor and she has been a combination of understanding and giving a good kick up the backside when needed!

I read the Kelly Marks 'Perfect Confidence' book which has some quite good exercises in too. Might be worth a try? There are loads of good websites about too I am sure someone will post a link in a mo! Hope your lesson goes well x
 
i hve confidence issues in certain areas hacking. he bolted with me last yr, due to a change of bit. (now back in original one). i'm gradually working up to getting myself closer to the area. and using alot of visualisation (if thats what u call it). imagining happy calm rides all round the area. i also keep talking to myself, reminding me that he doesnt buck, i've never fallen off him and i'm more than capable of riding him. he doesnt tank off now, just gets excited. i've begun to enjoy riding him thru his excitement now, rather than tense up. he's a fun, fast pony, not naughty or dangerous. take it a step at a time, within ur own limits. set little targets each day and enjoy it when u hve success. u deserve to feel proud and puffed up when u make progress!! good luck
 
I keep telling myself I didn't spend all that money buying this horse and paying for his keep not to ride him!

it works



sometimes
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Little steps.

Take it one little step at a time.

I just keeping telling myself that if I want to do what I imagine, i.e. hacking out, competing at even a low level, then I have to keep trying
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Agree with all of the above. Take it slow, take all of the pressure off yourself and just do the bits you genuinely enjoy. I lost all of my confidence to SJ (oddly, I was fine xc) so went right back to basics and started all over again.

A good instructor helps - but they can only be really good if you are honest about how you feel. You need to find someone who can understand how you are feeling - some people who are good riders can still be poor instructors if they can't empathise with you.

Also, don't ride a horse you don't feel happy on. That was my main problem I think - I kept thinking I *should* be able to do it, so kept forcing myself to try and ended up in a downward spiral. You'll soon be back to your old self, but you have to stop beating yourself up about it first and give yourself time to get back into the swing of things.
 
When hacking I try not to think of what might happen, I just try to think about how everything is at that moment in time and how good I will feel walking backing into the yard confidently on a nice loose rein. Having said that every time I get on a horse I have to battle my nerves so you are not alone!
 
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