Beta blocker for showing?

[jonem004]

I did some showing this spring after many years away from the ring. I found that I have a pretty strong adrenaline response to going in the ring. I don’t think it has a negative impact on my riding, we actually did quite well. But it made the actual classes pretty unpleasant.

I like the idea of showing. I also like the social aspect and the warmup ring, and getting my pretty horses out in public, but this adrenaline just feels gross!

What does everyone else else do about this? I know I’m not the only one out there with nerves. I’m not above doping myself, but I don’t want to be high for safety reasons and I don’t think meditation is going to cut it because this seems like a physiological reaction.

[Punkie]

This is a physiological response to a psychological situation, a beta blocker would be incredibly inappropriate and potentially dangerous, particularly if you have no cardiac issues.

It sounds like you need a sports psychologist. This is absolutely something they could address sans drugs. It also sounds like you need a tincture of time. If it’s an option, think about attending a number of shows just to do warm ups/spend time riding in a horse show atmosphere without competing. Then slowly work actual classes back into your repertoire. It is possible that you might require an anti-anxiety med to help you for a period of time, but if I were you I would pursue non-medicinal options first to see if you can get these nerves under control. You’ve been away from the ring for a period of time, your response is absolutely normal!

[StormyDay]

NOT A Doctor; but it sounds like an anxiety medication would be much more appropriate. There are ones that can be taken the day of.

[Scribbler]

Some folks enjoy the adrenalin rush and some of us find it unpleasant. I even get racing pulse from the adrenalin in local freezing at the dentist.

I’ve found that working to manage stress and anxiety is the most helpful thing.

[roseymare]

@Scribbler

Some folks enjoy the adrenalin rush and some of us find it unpleasant. I even get racing pulse from the adrenalin in local freezing at the dentist.

I’ve found that working to manage stress and anxiety is the most helpful thing.

That is because epinephrine is combined with the anesthetic agent. Depending upon the procedure, a dentist will choose with or without.

[MDMom]

It’s fairly standard to prescribe beta blockers for short term test anxiety. They are actually preferred over benzodiazepines which not only have a sedative effect but are addictive.

If you and your doctor decide to go the beta blocker route, make sure you try the medication before your show to make sure there aren’t any unwanted side effects.

[jonem004]

@MDMom

It’s fairly standard to prescribe beta blockers for short term test anxiety. They are actually preferred over benzodiazepines which not only have a sedative effect but are addictive.

If you and your doctor decide to go the beta blocker route, make sure you try the medication before your show to make sure there aren’t any unwanted side effects.

Thanks for the feedback. I’d heard about beta blockers used for anxiety but I didn’t know how common it was. I can’t IMAGINE taking a Xanax and being on a horse.

My horses need show miles to sell, so I don’t really have a budget to do a bunch of practice classes. It’s just the 3ft hunters anyway, so it’s not scary, just unpleasant. I might check out a sport psychologist though, I’d be interested to know why doing something I usually enjoy, on a horse I trust, is causing my body to panic.

[OnDeck]

Horse show nerves are normal and common. Beta blockers are quite an extreme solution.

The more you show the easier it gets. What’s the worst that happens? You lose? You’ll do that plenty enough to get used to it

[MDMom]

@OnDeck

Horse show nerves are normal and common. Beta blockers are quite an extreme solution.

The more you show the easier it gets. What’s the worst that happens? You lose? You’ll do that plenty enough to get used to it

It’s really not an extreme solution. OP, talk to your doctor.

[jonem004]

@OnDeck

Horse show nerves are normal and common. Beta blockers are quite an extreme solution.

The more you show the easier it gets. What’s the worst that happens? You lose? You’ll do that plenty enough to get used to it

I’m not too worried about loosing. There’s nothing I can do about that but my best. I want to give my horses the best ride I can. I’d have a pro show them, but it’s better marketing to ride them in the amateur classes. I’d just like it to feel less tingly and awful if possible.

[Scribbler]

@jonem004

Thanks for the feedback. I’d heard about beta blockers used for anxiety but I didn’t know how common it was. I can’t IMAGINE taking a Xanax and being on a horse.

My horses need show miles to sell, so I don’t really have a budget to do a bunch of practice classes. It’s just the 3ft hunters anyway, so it’s not scary, just unpleasant. I might check out a sport psychologist though, I’d be interested to know why doing something I usually enjoy, on a horse I trust, is causing my body to panic.

Competition nerves or test anxiety. People who enjoy competition tend to reformulate the feeling to be one of anticipation and exhilaration. But I also think different people feel the effects of adrenalin differently.

A sports psychologist is a good idea. You aren’t afraid of your horse or of jumping or of riding a course. You just can’t control the adrenalin rush at the actual competition. The only thing that’s changed is the competition.

It would be really interesting to go in one class hors concours and see if that changes your mental state!

[TheBrownHorse]

@Punkie

This is a physiological response to a psychological situation, a beta blocker would be incredibly inappropriate and potentially dangerous, particularly if you have no cardiac issues.

They frequently prescribe medications such as a beta blocker (like propranolol) for anxiety in situations like public speaking, etc. They are, as someone else stated, preferred over things like benzodiazepines which can cause tired, out of it, drugged up feeling, as well as have addiction and abuse potential.

[jonem004]

@Scribbler

Competition nerves or test anxiety. People who enjoy competition tend to reformulate the feeling to be one of anticipation and exhilaration. But I also think different people feel the effects of adrenalin differently.

A sports psychologist is a good idea. You aren’t afraid of your horse or of jumping or of riding a course. You just can’t control the adrenalin rush at the actual competition. The only thing that’s changed is the competition.

It would be really interesting to go in one class hors concours and see if that changes your mental state!

I’ve done warmup classes that didn’t feel any better. I’ve also schooled the same course the night before and felt completely fine, so go figure.

I think my response to adrenaline is disproportionate. I don’t really understand why it’s triggered by showing though. I love an audience, and I’m confident in my riding. But throw it all together and walking out of the ring I’m all nauseous hot and my hands feel like pins and needles. It’s gross!!

[Morgan]

Not a doctor either. Agree that a beta blocker would be best for the reasons MDMom stated. You usually take a sub-therapeutic or lowest dose to achieve anxiety control vs a true blood pressure dose for cardiac treatment. Absolutely, test before and find appropriate dose before being in the show ring. Too much and you could pass out. Most doctors are really trying to get away from Benzos due to addiction and newly found data linking regular use (with moderate-high doses) to dementia later in life. So, it would probably be more difficult to get over a B2. I get extremely anxious when I show, so I get it. And it’s not the fear of losing. It’s the fear of getting hurt, not being able to work or take care of my kids. Or worse, break a neck and die. We had a woman fall and die just last year in the ring. It was horrific. Accidents happen to even the best.

[cayuse]

Years ago I was prescribed a beta blocker for two different DX. Migraines and anxiety. The beta blocker was chosen as the doctor thought it might be beneficial for both problems and it was. It did not take away all the anxiety but did decelerate it. YMMV.

[Redlei44]

There are several good sports psychology books for riders - i have show nerves similar to what you describe as well and I have found it very helpful to learn about some of the common physiological-psychological feedback loops that are associated with show nerves.

[PREconvert]

Not to say that benzos won’t, but do keep in mind beta blockers can make you dizzy from the lowered blood pressure. Also, if you are sensitive to having low blood pressure, even changes in head position can make the dizziness worse (half seat to sitting up, for example, especially if you tend to duck when you jump). I’m not trying to talk you out of anything - just i would definitely try anything out first in a Schooling session.

[Temecula_Jumper]

I struggled with extreme show nerves for many years. I tried taking a low dose Xanax an hour or so before showing and all it did was make me very tired, but did not affect the nerves when it came time to walk into the ring. I then tried taking Propranolol, and did find it helpful in keeping my heart from feeling like it was going to explode when I walked in the ring, but it was not the magic cure I was hoping it would be. At one point, I was really desperate and tried taking the Xanax with propranolol and would not ever recommend that again. If I had to recommend one, I would say the propranolol was more effective regarding the anxiety side effect, such as racing heart, etc. However, what I think helped me the most was taking a daily anxiety medication, like Zoloft, and then working to retrain my brain and mental process about the show ring slowly over time. I still get nervous before showing, but it is not the crippling nerves, and I’m now able to do it medication-free. Good luck!

[NO-CTRL]

Definitely talk to your doctor
i take the beta blocker Propranolol for this exact reason. My brain doesn’t feel nervous but my body goes into full on flight mode without it. I spent years trying to push through it with no improvement. I use it only for comps and it works well for me.
Goodluck!

[BigMama1]

@jonem004

I’m not too worried about loosing. There’s nothing I can do about that but my best. I want to give my horses the best ride I can. I’d have a pro show them, but it’s better marketing to ride them in the amateur classes. I’d just like it to feel less tingly and awful if possible.

Talk to your doctor. Nerves are one thing but crippling anxiety is another. Maybe those posting here don’t understand the heart pounding, dizziness, shortness of breath, vomiting, diarrhea etc. that you can experience. Beta blockers are commonly prescribed for this kind of scenario. Talk to your doctor.