Before a trail ride or before a show, do you think about all the things that could go wrong? You’re not alone. What if we turned those negative thoughts into positive ones? Would it make a difference? Absolutely! Here’s how:
Thoughts have power, and when we think in a negative way we’re giving power to those negative thoughts. If you think “oh man I just know my horse is going to ______ (fill in the blank),” then most likely your horse will do exactly what you say. If you think about how perfect your horse will behave on a trail ride or how perfect they will perform at the show, now you’re using positive power to preprogram your ride instead of negative power.
Tools to help you think in a positive way:
- visualize: The night before your trail ride or show, visualize you and your horse riding a perfect ride. Picture each step your horse takes in your mind and picture it being the most beautiful and perfect ride you’ve ever had together.
- remove pressure: Whether you self criticize or worry about what others may think of you and your horse, we cannot control what others think, so let it go. We can control how we think and if we think positively and visualize there is no room for any other thoughts.
- breathe: If you hold your breath, your body tenses up and that will transmit to your horse.
- practice: Practice makes perfect, and practice perfect practice. The more you ride at home and practice in a comfortable setting the better you’ll be prepared out on the trail and in the show ring.
Kim Baker, KB Natural Horsemanship, www.kbnaturalhorsemanship.com
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