As originally published in the Dec.
1st, 2007 issue of The New Falcon
Herald
FALCON CREEK FARM NEWSLETTER
(December 2007)
BUILDING A RIDER’S CONFIDENCE
A
few years ago, a friend of mine broke her wrist when she was bucked off her
horse.
The
experience scared her but after her wrist healed she began thinking about
riding again. However, she kept making excuses because she had lost her
confidence to get back on her horse.
Gaining
confidence is a cognitive process, rather than an emotional one. But overcoming
fear is difficult because it taps into one's powerful sense of
self-preservation.
Confident
riders have an overall appearance of balance and remain centered in the saddle,
moving fluidly with their horse. They do not tip from side to side, front to back
or bounce up and down uncontrollably. They have an upright posture and are
relaxed and flexible, using hand, seat and leg aids quietly. They do not have
body stiffness or rigidity. Confident riders feel calm and in control of
themselves, their horse and where they are going. They are focused on
themselves and their horse and are aware of their surroundings. They ride with
assuredness and assertiveness.
Riders
who are not confident usually lean forward in the saddle. They tend to grip
with their legs in an effort to hold on, usually cueing the horse to go faster,
which can create a runaway horse. Many riders lacking confidence will hold the
reins too tight to try to keep the horse under control and to balance
themselves - this creates pressure in the horses' mouth. Some horses will toss
or push their heads down to lengthen the reins and release the pressure. They
also might speed up to escape the bit. Anxious riders might hold their breath,
breathe shallow or be afraid of transitioning to faster gaits. Many riders
never progress because they fear falling or having an out-of-control horse.
They might experience an increased heart beat, perspiration, the jitters or
butterflies in their stomach. They also might fear trying new things - going
out of their comfort zone.
Confidence
can be created or improved by taking riding lessons from a qualified and
patient instructor who focuses on the rider and the horse as individuals and as
a suitable pair. I have seen peoples' confidence ruined by instructors who
pushed too fast or didn't allow the time to properly develop balance and other
riding skills. Some instructors belittle riders for not progressing faster,
which is emotionally crippling. An instructor's teaching style should mesh with
a riders' learning style.
The
horse and the rider will affect each other and having awareness of horse
behavior and self behavior can help limit miscommunication that can lead to
riding disasters and ruined confidence. Trying something more difficult before
one is ready can break confidence. Practice riding techniques at your skill
level until you've mastered that technique. For example, learn to ride a slower
trot competently before progressing to a collected or extended trot.
Some
people do not have confidence merely because they have never developed it.
Conversely, some riders - usually beginners who have not had any harmful riding
experiences - are over-confident and do not realize the hazards associated with
riding. Between the extremes of excessive fear and over-confidence is a healthy
respect where the recognition of risk doesn't limit them. Building and
maintaining confidence is a continuous process for all riders.
Send
questions or comments to
Happy Riding!!!
Comments and feedback are always welcome!
Leslie Laing @
Falcon Creek Farm
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