Let’s face it, if you have been around horses for any length of time it is likely you have sustained some sort of injury or another. There are some, however, that are incredibly lucky and can have no injuries at all – despite falling off many times. These people are rare! In my twenty six years of being around horses I have sustained multiple injuries that will no doubt haunt me for the rest of my life – it’s never a good sign when your physio is on speed dial and you’ve had to up your health insurance to not pay an excess as it was becoming financial unsustainable. Again, why do we do it?!
Despite being 26 you have the joints of a 96 year old. Who can relate to this?!
Sadly, some of these injuries can be serious enough to cause you to lose your confidence – and quite rightly so. When you take a step back, horses are 700kg animals that we sit on the back of and can gallop at 20mph!? If we break a leg (or worse) how will we work and pay our bills? The little niggly voice in your head can witter on for hours rationalising why you should never get back on again. What the little wittering voice never says is “it’s your passion, it makes you happy” which in itself justifies all the reasons why you shouldn’t get back on again. I’ve said multiple times that riding horses is the best therapy, and it really is! You can’t put a price tag on that feeling.
So, you have recovered from your injury and you are at the yard, standing in front of your tacked up horse ready to get on and have your first ride. Your instructor is looking at you like you’ve gone made but that voice in your head is convincing you that this is the worst idea you have ever had. What do you do?! Simply take a deep breath (or sing Nelly the Elephant) and take it one step at a time – getting on isn’t so scary is it? Then you’ve got just got to walk around a bit, then maybe have trot – one baby step at a time.
But how can sharing help you? It’s a no pressure situation where you can take everything super slowly..
- Take it one step at a time. Don’t feel confident enough to ride? No problem. Give your horse a groom and have a bonding session.
- If you feel like you want to ride, then don’t put too much pressure upon yourself. Just hop on and have a walk around the school.
- Discuss with your owner how you are feeling, 9 times out of 10 they have been there and will want to help you. The horse community is amazing!
- Book a lesson with your owners normal instructor, they will know the horse inside out and will know how to help you feel your best. They will also want you to feel better!
- Enjoy it! You are not paying hundreds of pounds a month to dread going up the yard. If you aren’t enjoying it – don’t do it. Simple! If you are seriously suffering with your confidence then check out some of our links below.
Rider Confidence Lessons: https://www.horsebackcombat.co.uk/courses/rider-confidence-lessons/
Rider Confidence Clinics: https://confidenthorserider.co.uk/services/confidence-workshop-courses/
Happy Sharing!
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