Nerves is something that all riders have to face at one time or another, whether they are getting on a horse for the first time, or facing the cross-country at Badminton. Today's equine trainers - across all disciplines - are including confidence coaching techniques as a vital part of their work. Dawn Williams takes a snapshot view of what's on offer.
So what really makes the difference between horse riders who take home the trophies and others who don't get out of the starting gates? Trilby Bowden, an eventing trainer from North Cornwall, thinks it is all down to the partnership and understanding between
horse and rider. "If you're on a horse that's in tune and will really try for you, it's achievable to ride around Badminton," she said.
"When people come to me with training issues, nine times out of ten its the result of a breakdown in communication between horse and rider - either the horse doesn't understand what the rider wants or vice versa, and fear is born out of a lack of feeling of control. Training then involves looking for the reason they're scared, getting them to believe in themselves and giving them the
tools to do their job. If the horse doesn't respect his rider, he will argue his point - and expect to win. That is usually why the rider ends up being scared." Trilby likes to work one-to-one so she can focus on helping to build strong, confident partnerships ( www.tbequestrian.co.uk).
For beginners and those new to horses, initial enthusiasm can quickly turn to fear and frustration. Vanessa Bee, of Positive
Horsemanship in Devon, recognises that new horse owners, particularly non-horsey adults who have bought ponies for
their children, can become a bag of nerves. She runs a Confidence Building for Horse Owners course which teaches
handlers how to remain safe and confident (www.positivehorsemanship.com).
For those who want to search even deeper for an enhanced understanding, confidence and emotional balance with their
horses, Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) offers practical and often entertaining methods for changing habitual, limited
ways of thinking, communicating and acting. It promotes lateral thinking and creativity and is a positive approach enabling people to deal with, and get over, fears - to harness the power of the mind and maintain a healthier balance in
life. Exmoor-based Cait Collins is a BHSAI who uses positively motivated horse teaching methods to problem solve and develop
confidence in horses and humans, including NLP and equine-assisted learning ( www.naturalmindmagic.com).
Exeter-based Gavin Weir-Jones, of www.daysofcolour.co.uk, is a coach, NLP practitioner and trained hypnotherapist. He works
with a range of riders from Novice to those in World Class Performance teams and offers one-to-one coaching and group workshops addressing areas such as competition issues.
Other methods of dealing with confidence issues can involve positive stress management, which teaches problem-solving techniques to handle difficult situations; Bach flower remedies that work on homeopathic principles to improve emotional states such as lack of confidence; homeopathy which helps to stimulate the body's own healing ability to help re-establish harmony and balance; and healing, which can be beneficial to both people and animals ( www.nfsh.org.uk). BHSAI Liz Loader, of Rackenford Equestrian Centre (01884 881444), near Tiverton, has found that an appreciation of healing helps with behavioural issues, past traumas and general wellbeing in the horses she trains and competes.
Confidence Coach Caroline Putus, of www.enjoyriding.com, has produced an Enjoy Riding CD which includes exercises such as
You Are What You Think - and How to Change It.
Back to the Confidence Coaching section
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