There was an urgent knock on the back door. A desperate voice wanted to know: Could I come and have a look at David? He fell of Duke during the hunt that morning at a 6 ft fence and landed head first. David, not Duke. David was all for jumping the fence, Duke was not. Now David was asking the same question over and over again, and can’t quite remember what had happened.
Horseback riding is a dangerous sport. Accidents happen. Injuries can be physical as well as psychological. Often “small” physical injuries are complicated by deep mental wounds. I am not referring to David’s concussion here, but to a less visible but as damaging injury, one that can take years to heal.
We have all suffered from it, at one time or another. Not always horse-related either.
Acute and/or chronic confidence failure.
Maybe you had a nasty fall, like David. Or maybe you were bitten, kicked or nonchalantly rubbed off against a tree trunk. Maybe a thoughtless horse stood on your foot. Maybe you are a novice rider and the distance to the ground is just too much for you to feel comfortable in any other gait than walk. Maybe you worked really hard, both of you, and on competition day everything that could possibly go wrong, did. Maybe you just can’t get through to your horse, or maybe your horse just can’t get through to you. Maybe you are getting older, and worried about falling and breaking more vulnerable bones.
Maybe you are now reluctant to handle your horse at all.
Mental fitness is as important as physical fitness to all riders, from novice to advanced competitor…even if you prefer to stick to hacking out once or twice a week. You will be able to handle all eventualities much more efficiently if you are physically as well as mentally fit (and that includes unexpected, painful blows to that highly sensitive ego!)
What does mental training and fitness for horse riders involve? David found the Seven Secrets of Supremely Self-Confident Riders e-course invaluable. “Seven days after my horrendous fall, I had my rebuilt my shattered self-confidence and had learned a few very valuable lessons along the way. I am now more aware of myself (mind and body), and more aware of my horse and my surroundings. The mental work-outs In “7 Secrets e-course” are spot on. I discovered how to conquer my fear without taking any risks.”
There are many effective techniques to achieve the latter: neuro-linguistic programming, self-hypnosis, equestrian life coaching, psychotherapy and the new kid on the block: equine-assisted experiential learning.
Luckily, David’s concussion was very mild, and under careful observation soon subsided. He insisted on subscribing to our newsletter ”so I can get a monthly confidence boost”. I went to see Duke too late that afternoon in his stable. He was happily munching away on his dinner, having no recollection of anything untoward happening. My enigmatic Friesians could teach him a thing or two about good manners.
Just found a sensational Mexican Hot Chocolate recipe. Time for a cup, I think…
The Seven Secrets of Supremely Self-Confident Riders is a 7-day e-course written exclusively for horseback riders by an experienced medical doctor and NLP practitioner- available from www.equestrian-life-coaching.com/ Also available is three full length, full colour masters-courses, online equestrian life coaching, the Confidential Letters to Lady Belle e-book, equine-assisted experiential learning and a free e-book, e-course, newsletter and Lady Belle’s blog.
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About the Author: Dr Margarethe de Clermont is a medical doctor, a certified NLP practitioner, an EAGALA certified practitioner and a medical hypnotherapist
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