​Stress tolerance: 5 ways to cope and enjoy riding

Photo: Equlifestyle.eu.

It may seem a little strange, but sometimes the arrival of a new good and talented horse can lead to poor results and a loss of riding pleasure. sports psychologist Annette Paterakis explains why this is happening and how to deal with it.

Annette Paterakis: I hear about it all the time: riders call me and talk excitedly about their new horse, but they’re also worried about the mental pressure. The need to prove to everyone that they are worthy of this beautiful horse can make them think that now they have no right to make a mistake. So, how do you get rid of this feeling of psychological pressure and enjoy riding the horse of your dreams?

1. Set your own goals.

It is very easy to let yourself be carried away by the feeling that since you have a talented horse, you have to prove that you are up to it. Owners and coaches may require you to participate in big tournaments and difficult routes at every opportunity, but you are still working with a living being, so you need time to become a team. Don’t be afraid to set your own goals, and give yourself time to get to know your new partner.

2. Get rid of perfectionism.

List of achievements your horse is much more impressive than yours, and everyone already knows that you will now be working with him (news in the equestrian world travels fast). You have not yet arrived at the tournament, but you already feel how everyone is watching you. Thoughts arise in your head: “what if I make a mistake?” “everyone will know about it and will discuss it!” You think your horse is perfect, so you think you should be too. However, this way of thinking most often leads to an increase in the number of errors, and not vice versa. Give yourself time to learn and fail, learn from your mistakes, and move on. As Michael Jordan said, “I’ve been wrong over and over and that’s why I’ve succeeded.”

3. Set up contact.

On top of that, your horse may be more forgiving than you think. Just like in any other relationship, it takes time to get to know each other better, establish mutual trust and become a team. The time spent together not only on horseback, but also in the stable, in the field or in the paddock, will give its positive results. And don’t imagine what your new partnership should be like. Just be there, listen, learn and enjoy the process of getting to know each other.

4. Focus on development.

The best way to get the most out of your new partnership is to focus on learning together. The best way to do this is to create a long-term work plan: outlining what you want to achieve together and writing down all the intermediate goals that you will need to work on in order to realize your goal.

5. Accept unpredictability.

Every time we take on something new, unfamiliar, or, for example, start working with a new horse, there is usually some confusion (or even complete chaos) at first, it is all part of the workflow. We grow out of this chaos, get used to it, understand that something “does not work badly” or even sometimes come to the conclusion: “wow, this method worked, but I didn’t expect it.” Any change brings chaos, but what matters is how you deal with it. So take it and enjoy the ride.