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| Photo courtesy of Microsoft Your expectation (anticipatory anxiety) that your horse is afraid of something may be scarier than anything you actually encounter during your ride. |
One
of the first things people learn about horses is that these animals (can) shy
or “spook” at anything and everything—but wind is Public Enemy Number One. Even
if it is just an errant breeze rustling the leaves in a tree overhead on an
otherwise still day, the breath catches in our lungs and our heart pounding in
our chest. If a Santa Ana wind snaps a tree bough nearby, all bets are off: we
instinctively prepare our bodies to make an unscheduled dismount in case (when) our horses bolt and head back to
the security of the barn. We tighten our grip and/or shorten the reins (to get
better control of the horse’s head and try to prevent him from looking at
anything), collapse our ribcage and assume a “fetal position,” as described by
Sally Swift, look down at the ground (ostensibly to choose the perfect landing
spot, just in case) and tighten every muscle in the body as we prepare to hang
onto our panicked steed (if we can) as soon as he takes off.
Your subconscious
is likely to send these kinds of instructions to your body if your mental
script and previous experience, knowledge and expectations tell you that this
is how your horse will react in a specific situation. Consequently, your anticipation
of a possible problem, or “anticipatory anxiety,” will virtually guarantee that
your horse will act like there is really a problem because your body has told
him that there is one. Here are some suggestions and visualization exercises
that I provide for equestrians to override this automatic fear response so you can
both enjoy the ride.
1.
Be sure to eat some protein before you ride/work
with your horse to help reduce anxiety and stabilize your mood (see my blog, Nutrition
and Development of Phobias, 1/14/14).
2.
Spend a few minutes practicing deep-breathing
exercises before you go out to work
with or ride your horse. While you are relaxing in an area of peace and quiet,
visualize, imagine or picture the kind of ride you want to have with your
horse. Sit up straight and tall in the saddle. This posture enables you breathe
deeply and easily, which will help you to relax. It also tells your
subconscious mind that you are relaxed and confident.
3.
Think about/reflect on a very good ride or time that
you recently spent with your horse. Bring up the positive images and emotions
associated with that experience and then anchor that association by pressing or
rubbing together the thumb and index (pointing) finger of either hand. You can activate
this anchor any time to remind yourself how good, enjoyable, etc. it is to ride
or be with your horse.
4.
Send/think only positive images and expectations about the ride you are about to
have: “I am confident and relaxed when I am on my horse. I am having a great
ride.” Only use adjectives and emotions in this imagery that will increase your
confidence, sense of control, etc. for and during the ride.
5.
Reassure your horse that you are in control and are
your horse’s leader during the ride. Give him plenty of physical/vocal rewards
such as pats and praise, etc. to let him know that you are there and will take
care of everything; all he needs to do is listen to you and do what you ask him
to do. This physical and vocal contact isn’t just for your horse; it is also a
way to comfort and reassure you, and reinforce your role of the brave,
confident herd leader in your subconscious mind.
6.
Practice some simple mounted exercises such as
figure-eights, lateral work, etc. so you must focus on riding and interacting with
your horse and your horse must focus on you (not what is going on around him).
7.
Activate your finger-press anchor throughout the
ride, as needed.
I
hope these suggestions help you to relax and enjoy the time you spend with your
horse, regardless of what is going on around you. I am not a riding instructor,
and I encourage everyone to consult with a trainer or instructor to resolve
riding and horse-related issues. However, I have found from personal experience
as well as my hypnotherapy work with other equestrians that setting positive
expectations for a good ride is the most effective way to achieve that goal. For
more information about my hypnotherapy work with equestrians, please contact me
via my website at www.calminsensehypnotherapy.com.
Sara R. Fogan, C.Ht. is a certified hypnotherapist based in
Southern California. She graduated with honors from the Hypnosis Motivation
Institute in 2005. For more information about Calminsense Hypnotherapy®
and to set up an appointment, please
visit http://www.calminsensehypnotherapy.com/.
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