Psychology

Creating Optimal Learning Environments for Ourselves and Our Horses

Updated:

June 22, 2023

my horse is stressed, anxiety in horses, best learning environment horses, how to be less controlling of my horse

When you tack up your horse each day, what are you looking to accomplish? Regardless of your discipline, and whether you compete or not, I’m willing to bet that your goals are always related to learning. As riders we want to learn the physical, technical, and mental skills involved in partnering with a horse. We also work to help them learn the aids, manage their own bodies and nervous systems, and respond consistently and safely in a variety of circumstances. It all comes back to learning.

Movement Science of Horses

Updated:

May 10, 2023

equine sports therapy, tracking system horse, how should a horse move, preventing a horse injury, lockie Phillips emotional horsemanship equine bodyworker, improve horse's body awareness

This issue we will discuss the surprisingly controversial topic of movement. As I consider this subject, an experience from long ago springs to mind. I was invited to ride a dressage horse who was a bodywork client, actively competing in Young Riders and very expensive.

Becoming a Horseman: What Does it Mean Today?

Updated:

April 28, 2023

diquita cardinal cardinal ranch, denny emerson tamarack hill farm vermont, how to understand your horse, how to be a horse person, best horse trainers

For generations, riders and horse lovers have been enthralled by the mystique of horsemen (and women), but many struggle to define what a “horseman” actually is. Is a horseman someone with a laundry list of skills such as starting young horses, nailing on shoes, being knowledgeable about horse care, and having the ability to train horses to the highest levels? Or is a horseman someone who lives in the moment, has mastered their emotions, and understands a horse’s mind? Perhaps a horseman embraces all of these attributes; perhaps none.

High Performance Values for Equestrians

Updated:

January 26, 2023

psychology horse riders, annika mcgivern, how to enjoy horse riding, perfectionism horse riding

What are your personal values and why do they matter? Have you ever temporarily fallen out of love with riding? In my work as an equestrian mental performance coach, many clients share with me that they’ve lost the joy that riding used to give them. Sometimes the challenges of your sport can feel like they’re outnumbering the positives and equestrians can find themselves wondering: Why do I do this?

Craving Control in Equestrian Sport

Updated:

January 25, 2023

Annika McGivern, how to relax about horse riding, understanding my horse, angry at horse, hate my riding skills, equestrian psychologist, horse psychology

Do you enjoy feeling out of control? No? That doesn’t surprise me. Losing control is one of the most prevalent fears we experience as humans. At the root of this fear is the belief that if we are not able to control the present and the future, something terrible will happen.

Changing Equine Disciplines

Updated:

December 13, 2022

kelly plitz reining, colten powell show jumping, colten powell bronc rider, kelly plitz reining, tina thompson eventing, tina thompson endurance, changing horse discipliens, tania millen

Pivoting for Lifelong Learning Opportunities - Riders often pursue the same horse sport for years, competing up and down the levels depending on their horse and how life unfolds. But some riders choose to change disciplines altogether — by choice, necessity, or because their horses want to do something different. It’s something riders at all ages and life stages may experience but the learning curve for a new sport can be steep. We interviewed three riders who are embracing new-to-them horse sports and meeting the challenges that brings.

Riders of a Certain Age: Your Guide for Loving Horses Midlife and Beyond

Updated:

November 13, 2022

older riders, riders of a certain age book, horse book reviews, reviews for equestrians, tania millen reviews, fran severn book review

Are you a midlife novice horsewoman wondering about the ins and outs of having a horse? If so, this book can help. It’s clearly designed to answer questions for women who are finally living their dreams of riding or owning a horse — whether they’re new to the horse world or returning after a long absence.

Breathe Right For Better Horse Riding

Updated:

October 6, 2022

effective breathing techniques for horse riders, how to breathe properly when horse riding, overcoming nervous breathing when horse riding

We breathe more than 20,000 times a day. Most of the time, we don’t give it much thought, since we do it automatically and all seems to go well… except when it doesn’t.

Horse Competition - Are You Performing in the Zone?

Updated:

August 12, 2022

psychology riding horses, april clay horse psychology, horse competition nervousness, staying calm riding horse show

What does it mean to “ride in the zone”? Most riders will say they have experienced it. Some would even say it’s the very reason they ride. It’s an effortless feeling when everything is going your way. If you haven’t had the pleasure of visiting that famous zone, or want to know how to get there more often, read on.

Horse Sport Psychology

Updated:

August 5, 2022

horse rider fear, scared riding horses, psychology horse riders, annika mcgivern, equestrian psychology

Facing Fear - Real and Imagined - The Mediterranean waters glistened below me. As I stood on the edge of the rockface, contemplating the 25-foot drop into the clear blue sea, it felt like my body was screaming at me to not jump. My knees were shaking, making my legs feel unsteady. My mind felt fuzzy and slightly disconnected from reality. I was more acutely scared than I had been in quite some time. But here’s the thing: I really wanted to jump. I was in Croatia and the sea was warm and inviting. I had watched about 10 people make the same leap quite safely and I knew, rationally, that it really wasn’t that high. I was determined to push through my nerves and do it, but in that moment I wasn’t entirely sure my body would let me.