Psychology

Training Our Minds to Cope with Unexpected Challenges

Updated:

June 12, 2020

annika mcgivern equestrian psychology, horse-rider psychology, horse people covid-19

A couple of months ago, reality shifted as the COVID-19 pandemic reshaped our lives. We were all left facing challenges beyond anything we could have imagined. The equestrian community is no different from any other community in finding itself cut off from normality, but we are dealing with the added emotional challenge of being disconnected from the thing that grounds us in difficult times: our connection with our horses. We may also face distress over the financial impact of this unprecedented event on our lives, businesses, and the welfare of our animals.

7 Qualities of the Mentally Tough Rider

Updated:

April 10, 2020

horse rider psychology, mental horse riding traps, improve horse riding focus, April Clay, preparing for horse riding competition, equine psychology

Do you consider yourself to be a tough rider, or a tender one? No one is completely one or the other. Different situations elicit strengths and weakness to emerge in people. The challenge is to first know yourself well, then ask yourself how you can move along the toughness continuum. You don’t need to throw yourself into the fire to get tougher, just make a habit of going a little bit further than you are used to and over time you’ll find your strength increasing.

Losing an Equine Friend: Your Grief is Real

Updated:

February 4, 2020

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When someone loses a family member or friend, often others rush in to see what they can do to lessen the pain. However, when your loss involves a companion of the four-legged variety, sometimes the response you receive is less than sympathetic.

How to Set Attainable Goals

Updated:

August 30, 2019

Have you considered what you want to be doing with your horse in five years’ time? Or settled on your primary goals for the coming year? Or thought about the progress you want to make before your next riding lesson?

Mantra Magic - Power Up Your Ride

Updated:

August 26, 2019

riding nervous, rider anxiety, horse show anxiety, horse show nervousness, april clay

“My mind was a constant jumble of competing thoughts at shows,” says Amy, a junior dressage rider. “I would be trying to sort through them, just getting more and more nervous. But when I developed my guiding phrase it helped me immensely. I now repeat ‘enjoy and shine’ over and over as I warm up. It brings me back to my important things, which are to have fun and to show off the skills I have worked so hard to perfect. It really works for m

Developing Your Cool Ride During Horse Competition

Updated:

August 23, 2019

calm horse riding, level-headed horse riding, confident horse riding, horse rider breath control

In the sporting realm, keeping your cool means not being derailed by events that come between you and your goals. When such situations do arise, the cool rider takes things in stride, maintains composure, and looks for solutions. Self-control is essential to cool riders.

Interview with Ian Millar: The Ultimate Thinking Rider

Updated:

April 17, 2019

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Then he was mine for forty-five minutes or so, way past my initially allotted ten minutes. Thankfully, it turns out Ian loved to talk about his mental game. I think everyone can learn something from what Canada’s most successful rider had to say about the psychology of his ride.

How to Make Your Horse Training Time Count

Updated:

March 25, 2019

psychology equestrians, horse rider psychology, april clay horse, enjoying horse riding

Okay, so training means the obvious: attempting to learn, and scheduling time for that learning. This we all know very well. What is less familiar, less practiced, are elements that support and facilitate this learning

Do Affirmations Really Work?

Updated:

March 24, 2019

horse psychology, horse rider affirmations, April Clay, equine rider affirmations

Just think positive! You have likely heard this familiar advice at some point in your riding career. There are mixed reviews on the effectiveness of affirmations. If they work so well, why are we not all wealthy or draped in first place ribbons?

7 Mental Traps...and How to Spring Them

Updated:

March 24, 2019

horse rider psychology, mental horse riding traps, improve horse riding focus, April Clay

What are mental traps? They are those little mental glitches you fall into again...and again. Here are some common traps and deep trenches that can lead you off your game.