Ninja Confidence

It’s a funny thing you have all the bags of confidence in the world one day and the next day it’s all gone…

My Orange Ninja has some diary dates at last. Only down to the local centre where he feels safe but it’s a good start and a massive step from where we were last year. We have finally got his feed and routine sussed; we have also found a calmer he seems to respond to.

I have been dealing with the unexpected for the last 2-3 years and I am determined no returns to A&E will be needed.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing but learning from experiences is such a valuable tool. I know now my boy jumps at the silliest of things, normally pigeons!!

So lesson one expect the unexpected: You can’t be prepared for every event, spook or squeal, but, if you know your horse well you can at least prepare. I never go anywhere without my neck strap and luckily my ninja luvs a human on the floor by his side to give him confidence so a groom/helper on the day of a show is an absolute must for him.

Anxiety:boy does this creep up on you when you least expect it. It doesn’t take long after a few sharp spins and those 180 turns with a leap that leave you dwelling on what you could have done or what went wrong.

Best thing you can do is stop thinking about it yes it’s difficult but if you can think of something else and practice your breathing, and you will soon start to convince your body to relax, and you will be less likely to contribute to the next spook.

Last year I had the privilege of being invited to the TSR short listed talent show. I was on my other horse, the ex-racer, but the same principles apply as he was forever getting into hot head mood and not walking round the arena. I was told to imagine a party in my head so I started having conversations with myself and singing silly songs about fruit and veg… yes you need to do what it takes J

Start doing this out loud and you will soon be having your party silently in your head and no one else will know, unless you’re having so much fun and suddenly burst into a mass giggle.

Visualize:When I teach canter to beginners I ask them to imagine a really big hill they are cantering up and there is a far away horizon they are aiming for which has a gorgeous rainbow at the end. I really must take some of my own advice.

This is such a powerful technique for any situation, whether hacking and you see an object that might cause a spook or your schooling in the field and a row of pigeons are sitting on the fence your about to ride past.

This will help you build on your own positive energy and relaxation.

Happy Feet

The wise words we have all read in magazines…. Control his feet.. It is so true but also for my cheeky ninja I have to pay close attention to his head and shoulders. If he is upset he has to lift and then lower his head to buck or leap. Controlling his shoulders and foot direction has been a really big help this year. We had a couple of sessions with Jason Webb and learnt how to put the horse into a controlled small circle/turn and stop exercise to regain concentration. This way they can settle themselves which in turn gives them more confidence to relax and trust the rider.

And one of the biggest recaps from Jason was to assert the ground rules. (that’s a blog all of its own)

Breath 

We took the Ex-racer to RoR camp this year and we introduced him to some music. I have always worked around the yard with the radio on and have it sitting on the fence when I am riding in the field. Whilst we were working on our rhythm and tempo with the music’s help I realized I don’t breathe properly. Such a simple just very important thing. An amazing difference in my horses walk out if I breath naturally compared to holding my breath whilst I anticipate him jig jogging

The other day I was leading the two boys out to the field and checked my breathing at one point I was holding my breath in anticipation of the ninja leaping and lunging on the fresh grass path The moment I started breathing with a relaxed deep technique I noticed he also stopped pulling at me.

Now when I walk up to him with his saddle I work round the corner from the tack room exhaling calmly having taken a deep relaxation breath in.

It certainly seems to work when I approach him with a spray bottle!!

Simples!

Sometimes the simplest things are the best.

Just stand still, reassess your breathing, give your horse time to think and sometimes that’s all they need to realize the world is not against them.

My ninja can over think and if you give him time out he will often take a deep breath himself and a big step forward and relax.

Diary 

Start blogging and/or keep a diary. It is amazing to look back at what you have achieved.

If you are feeling low this is such a powerful tool

Be honest, sometimes you just need help.

Watching someone else ride your horse confidently forward can work by giving you back the ‘I can’.

Be realistic with your goals. Last year was to get back on and ride with confidence myself. We even got round the block and left the safety of the yard confines with the ninja.

This year is to go out and do a couple of intro tests and if we complete the test we have succeeded