Self-Regulation and Riding

Mastering Emotional Regulation for Effective Horse Riding

She pursed her lips and held her breath, then her horse spooked.

This is a common reaction while riding. Horses have an amazing sense of feeling our nervous systems.

As a trainer, I can tell you to "relax", but it is the rider that will need to do the real work. Learning how to breathe properly, recognizing when you are dysregulated, and adjusting your emotions to return to your authentic self is an incredible tool for riding and training horses.

What can you do to stabilize to your 'norm'?

• FIRST, learn to recognize when you are dysregulated. Fast heart rate, holding breath, feelings of frustration, anger, judgement, resentment, jealousy, etc.

• Practice breathing exercises before you get on the horse. By practicing off the horse so that breathing techniques are in your tool kit for when you need them.

• From the 4 Agreements: Don't take anything personally. Whether another student does something great, or your trainer is yelling HEELS DOWN! Don't take it personally, you are at your lesson to learn. Absorb, and know they have your best interest at heart.

• The 8 Cs of your authentic self from Internal Family Systems: Studies show that when we are coming from our authentic self, we express theses 8 Cs: Compassion, Curiosity, Calmness, Courage, Creativity, Clarity, Confidence, and Connectedness. Ask questions, to calm your nervous system. Draw on your confidence and courage to be the leader of your horse. Remember, you are not competing when you are in lessons; you are connected to your peers, horse, and trainer.

Hope this helps you work with your horse. If you feel nervous or frustrated while riding and I don't recognize it, please just let me know, I would be happy to help you.