Focused Riding

ahlihaff · 08-29-2008, 05:42 PM

I've been pushing my stupid anxiety away, and getting out on trail rides. Yesterday, I was more anxious than usual, and made myself sick thinking about our planned ride for the evening. However, my desire to progress and be on a ride with Ahliver overcame my anxiety, and off we went.

I re-read an e-mail from my trainer reminding me to do Focused Riding; and everything kinda' clicked for me. Not to imply my mouth wasn't dry, and I wasn't nervous; BUT I concentrated on Focused Riding, and felt much better as we rode. This keeps Ahliver's attention on me; he knows I'm driving the bus and am driving it to a specific destination. It's the leadership he needs to feel secure. I choose a specific object in the near distance (a tree, a rock, bush, whatever) and ride toward it with purpose communicating to Ali's different body parts as we go (shoulder, hq, etc.) I decide which side of the path we walk on. If he wants to walk left around a rock, I choose to go to the right. We do figure eights around bushes and rocks. This not only let's Ali know I'm there with him, it also gives me something to concentrate on so I'm not constantly thinking about being anxious and looking for a good place to throw up. I also change the routine so he doesn't anticipate what we are going to do. Sometimes we go directly to the paddock when we get back to the yard, other times we go back into the round pen and ride there for a bit, other times we ride in the yard. The fact that Cooper is with us is helpful, but I need to be more important to Ahliver than Cooper is.

Believe me I'm far from having gained my confidence back that I had before my wreck, but implementing the Focused Riding is helping me. Thought I'd share so anyone else having confidence issues may want to try it.

**taelesean** · 08-29-2008, 09:07 PM

Sometimes a little aprehension keeps the edge on your awareness and helps you stay focused.

HorseMomToSage · 08-30-2008, 07:33 AM

Good for you! Thanks for sharing your technique. I'm going to try this next time I ride. Previously I've been more of a "passenger" and I think being more active is the key. Keep us posted on how things go.

Carri · 08-30-2008, 07:41 AM

The other great thing about riding that way is that it keeps your horses mind occupied, so they are not looking at things to spook at. I have discovered with my horse (who has the nickname "The Spookmonster") if I am intentionally riding him, instead of just wandering, he is less likely to get scared.

It sounds like you are doing really great!

AngelPA · 08-30-2008, 07:57 AM

That's a BIG mile stone you over came, you should be very proud of yourself. Wrecks can REALLY bugger up a good rider mentaly, the road back is not always fast. Your doing great, you have a good game plan, you'll be your old self in the saddle before you know it. Good Job!

scrapchick · 08-30-2008, 08:00 AM

I try not to over-think my rides. I trust Cleo and she trusts me, but she is an 1100 lb animal so I am aware of what's ahead, what the other horses are doing, what's coming up behind me. If I think too hard about position and hands and legs and butt I will get all freaked and stress her out too. Kind of like defensive driving.

You're doing great, so relax and have some fun!

ahlihaff · 08-31-2008, 07:24 AM

Thanks for the encouragement. We're going out this afternoon and will expand our ride into the woods.

ahlihaff · 08-31-2008, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scrapchick

I try not to over-think my rides. I trust Cleo and she trusts me, but she is an 1100 lb animal so I am aware of what's ahead, what the other horses are doing, what's coming up behind me. If I think too hard about position and hands and legs and butt I will get all freaked and stress her out too. Kind of like defensive driving.

You're doing great, so relax and have some fun!

scrapchick, I do understand your point. I'm still working on gaining Ahliver's trust, being more important to him than anything else we may come across while riding. He's still very young, hasn't had that many rides. My goal is to be where you are at with Cleo. I was at a point where I was relaxing and having fun until I made a poor decision and had the wreck. So I'm keeping at it, and am confident that we will work this out together.

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08-29-2008, 05:42 PM
ahlihaff Greenbroke Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Western MA Posts: 3,578	Focused Riding I've been pushing my stupid anxiety away, and getting out on trail rides. Yesterday, I was more anxious than usual, and made myself sick thinking about our planned ride for the evening. However, my desire to progress and be on a ride with Ahliver overcame my anxiety, and off we went. I re-read an e-mail from my trainer reminding me to do Focused Riding; and everything kinda' clicked for me. Not to imply my mouth wasn't dry, and I wasn't nervous; BUT I concentrated on Focused Riding, and felt much better as we rode. This keeps Ahliver's attention on me; he knows I'm driving the bus and am driving it to a specific destination. It's the leadership he needs to feel secure. I choose a specific object in the near distance (a tree, a rock, bush, whatever) and ride toward it with purpose communicating to Ali's different body parts as we go (shoulder, hq, etc.) I decide which side of the path we walk on. If he wants to walk left around a rock, I choose to go to the right. We do figure eights around bushes and rocks. This not only let's Ali know I'm there with him, it also gives me something to concentrate on so I'm not constantly thinking about being anxious and looking for a good place to throw up. I also change the routine so he doesn't anticipate what we are going to do. Sometimes we go directly to the paddock when we get back to the yard, other times we go back into the round pen and ride there for a bit, other times we ride in the yard. The fact that Cooper is with us is helpful, but I need to be more important to Ahliver than Cooper is. Believe me I'm far from having gained my confidence back that I had before my wreck, but implementing the Focused Riding is helping me. Thought I'd share so anyone else having confidence issues may want to try it.

08-29-2008, 09:07 PM
taelesean Administrator Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 5,631	Sometimes a little aprehension keeps the edge on your awareness and helps you stay focused. __________________

08-30-2008, 07:33 AM
HorseMomToSage Coming two Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: A Whole Other Country-TX Of Course Posts: 1,501	Good for you! Thanks for sharing your technique. I'm going to try this next time I ride. Previously I've been more of a "passenger" and I think being more active is the key. Keep us posted on how things go. __________________ Just when the caterpillar thought it was the end of the world, it became a butterfly

08-30-2008, 07:41 AM
Carri Bombproof Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Alpharetta, Georgia Posts: 9,950	The other great thing about riding that way is that it keeps your horses mind occupied, so they are not looking at things to spook at. I have discovered with my horse (who has the nickname "The Spookmonster") if I am intentionally riding him, instead of just wandering, he is less likely to get scared. It sounds like you are doing really great! __________________

08-30-2008, 07:57 AM
AngelPA Weanling Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: PA Posts: 368	Congrats! That's a BIG mile stone you over came, you should be very proud of yourself. Wrecks can REALLY bugger up a good rider mentaly, the road back is not always fast. Your doing great, you have a good game plan, you'll be your old self in the saddle before you know it. Good Job!

08-30-2008, 08:00 AM
scrapchick Seasoned Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Festus, Missouri Posts: 4,727	I try not to over-think my rides. I trust Cleo and she trusts me, but she is an 1100 lb animal so I am aware of what's ahead, what the other horses are doing, what's coming up behind me. If I think too hard about position and hands and legs and butt I will get all freaked and stress her out too. Kind of like defensive driving. You're doing great, so relax and have some fun! __________________ Better living through chemistry.

08-31-2008, 07:24 AM
ahlihaff Greenbroke Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Western MA Posts: 3,578	Thanks for the encouragement. We're going out this afternoon and will expand our ride into the woods.