Help! I've lost my confidence cantering

Question

what should i do to get my confidence back?!

Answer 1

Hi there!

The fastest way to regain your confidence cantering is to NOT push yourself to get there! If you find yourself grinding on "what went wrong", just gently refocus your thoughts toward what you know will go well.

Give yourself permission to go back to where you DO feel confident, all the while knowing you are doing this to work your confidence back up.

When was the last ride where you felt very confident? What horse? What situation?

The next time you go to the barn, prepare yourself on your way there, while you're still in the car:

- Slow your body down. Notice your breathing - you don't have to breathe a certain way, just notice your breathing. Doing so will help you reconnect with your body and let go of the rest of your day.

- Notice how you are feeling. Are you hungry? Anxious? Happy? Frustrated? Excited? You don't have to change how you feel, just notice and be honest with yourself about it. When we understand how we feel, the horses feel like we are telling the truth, and they are more relaxed with us.

- Put together a gentle plan. As you answer questions like these, you'll actually be creating your own experience...How would you like this time with your horse to go? How would you like your ride to go? See in your imagination how you want to greet your horse, how you want grooming and saddling to go, how do you want to feel as you mount up and sit in the saddle? Will you walk in the arena or out on a trail? How will you know when it's time to pick up a trot, and when will you know it's time to come back down to the walk? How long will your ride be, and how will you know when it's time to finish up? As you go through this exercise, do so knowing that you want to get back to the canter, but don't push yourself to do it. ...Because you are rebuilding confidence, construct riding sessions for yourself that feel good. It's okay to just feel good about what you are doing without pushing toward a nervous goal! Give yourself a couple of weeks of relaxed, fun rides as you rebuild your own confidence to canter.

- How do you want to feel when you are finished with your time at the barn and on your way home? Do you remember that feeling that's like, "Wow...THIS is why I ride horses!!", like you're a little kid again and everything is magical? Can you remember what your body feels like when things go just the way you want them to? Well, on your way to the barn, and while you are there, keep remembering that feeling. Hold the sensations in your body, and let it feel good.

These tips will help you prepare yourself for relaxed, confidence building rides with any horse. The horses know when we are prepared to be with them, when we are relaxed or anxious, and they will respond with relaxation or anxiety. Give everyone the best chance possible to enjoy each other by inviting yourself and your horse to breathe, feel prepared and nurtured, and remember that it's okay to feel good!

Answer 2

huh?

answer mine! http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...