| Many of us spend a lot of time convincing ourselves | | | | on negative thoughts causes loss of self-esteem |
| that our dreams will never come true. That we will | | | | depression. If you do not respect yourself, how can |
| never master the half-pass, or jump a clear round or | | | | you expect your horse to respect you and do as you |
| canter fearlessly on a hack. | | | | ask? |
| You can easily turn these negative thoughts into | | | | If you are one of those people who at interviews, |
| positive beliefs by being you own life coach. The next | | | | when asked about your qualities, skills, etc, rambles on |
| time you feel destructive thoughts coming on, take a | | | | about your bad qualities, you need to stop now. Some |
| deep breath and say, I love myself, just the way I am. I | | | | of us are lost at words when it comes to speaking |
| can and will achieve my dreams. | | | | highly of ourselves. For some people this seems |
| Banish negativity by setting realistic horse riding goals | | | | selfish, or boisterous, yet it is not. |
| Instead of thinking negatively, think about what you | | | | Be your own life coach. Build your personal confidence |
| want to achieve and how you are going to do it. Make | | | | by avoiding negative thinking. Your riding confidence will |
| plans, write down your goals, and take action to reach | | | | increase in tandem. Learn to become your own best |
| those goals. Start with something simple. Learn how to | | | | friend and give yourself frequent compliments. Stop |
| clean tack properly. Learn how to ask for canter | | | | criticizing your every move, and forget about past |
| properly. Small victories will give you the confidence to | | | | mistakes and focus on your future. Know your |
| aim for larger ones. | | | | weaknesses, and know your strengths, just as you |
| No matter what, just say no | | | | know your horse's strengths and failings. |
| Learn to say no. Even to your horse. In fact, especially | | | | Or is it your horse / trainer / equipment that isn't good |
| to your horse. For most of us, our natural instincts lead | | | | enough? |
| us to help others. However, are you sacrificing your | | | | So many times, we do not take full responsibility of our |
| own needs to consistently take care of other peoples | | | | own actions. We blame others for our mistakes or |
| needs, even your horse's? Or are you taking time out | | | | misfortunes. Do not obsess over past mistakes, but do |
| of each day to pamper yourself and recharge your | | | | not live in denial either. Stop blaming others (including ou |
| batteries? Maybe you are spreading yourself too thin? | | | | horse!) |
| If you are spreading yourself too thin, it will lead to | | | | We all make our share of bad choices in life. This is a |
| worry, discontent and many sleepless nights. You will | | | | natural part of living. Learn from your mistakes and |
| feel anxious and get depressed. This will do you riding | | | | move ahead. |
| and your horse no good. | | | | If you are stuck in a spiral of negative thinking and feel |
| So you aren't good enough? | | | | you cannot escape, engage the services of an |
| Do you tell yourslf that you are not good enough to | | | | equestrian life coach. It will without doubt be one of the |
| jump a clear round or get a high dressage score? Do | | | | most empowering decisions you ever make to |
| you feel like you deserve whatever you get? Focusing | | | | increase your horse riding confidence. |