Sports Psychologist to deal with fear?

[MissAriel]

I’ve had two falls in less than a year, after years of never coming off. First one I was hurt pretty badly and it was months before I could ride again. I got back riding as soon as I was cleared, but was still working with some physical issues when I got bucked off again. Even though I wasn’t hurt physically, psychologically I’m a wreck and pretty scared. I have been able to get on for short, controlled periods, but it’s a struggle to not get tense and fearful. And it has just been at the walk.

Has anyone worked with a sports psychologist to deal with fear? Any recommendations?

Or success stories of recovering from injuries and fear post-menopause?

[luvmyhackney]

I am working on overcoming my fear of being old and getting injured after an accident many years ago. It still comes back occasionally especially as I ride alone in the back field.

I worked and am working with a local therapist that does tapping and CBT therapy plus the sessions on Ride IQ have been helpful for riding based things.

Look up Natalie Hummel “mastermind” series on the Ride IQ podcast. I believe the episode is “ Relationship with Fear” I found it extremely helpful. The whole series is great.

[Lusoluv]

I found this book very helpful:
https://www.alibris.com/search/books/isbn/9781570767517?invid=17638346844&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=NMPi&&&gclid=CjwKCAjwjOunBhB4EiwA94JWsDcwtprhVCmyOzRWCH4C0wDVErxlqifGYEC_l0T7mg2G7bUK11AXbBoCoDYQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Author is a psychologist and a rider. Helps you acknowledge and work through fear via stress exercises, breathing, etc. so you get through fear vs. dismissing fear or thinking you’re the only one who feels fear, etc. Some topics discussed:

Fear after a fall
Horseshow nerves
Fear of riding the wrong horse type, etc.

My friend hired a sport psychologist who worked with some pro sports players, but didn’t have first hand experience with horses. She felt he was somewhat helpful, but I think working with or reading materials of real horsepeople is crucial. Good luck to you.

[atr]

I would also recommend the book Lusoluv cites above.

I found it immensely useful to help me understand and acknowledge my fear.

Also the right instructor who “gets it,” and is supportive while giving a little push where needed. And really wanting to do it.

I’m always going to be a cautious rider, but I can now get on and ride and deal with the situations that throws at me with a reasonable degree of competence.

I’ll happily share more of my journey, but I’m being hassled to get moving by my husband atm!

[Bonnie2]

I also cannot recommend strongly enough to find a ride that will not buck you off. Beg, borrow or lesson on the steadiest of Eddies to start. And seriously reconsider if riding the horse you have fallen from is a good idea at this point in your life. Horses are too dangerous, too expensive, and too much emotional commitment to live with one that is not appropriate for this stage of your life. Best of luck!

[eventingacrosscountries]

I also found this Ride iQ podcast / Mastermind series with Natalie Hummel incredibly helpful - knowing that top riders in the sport also have mental blocks and fears. After listening to the Equestrian Mastermind series, I discovered Natalie’s Sports Psychology sessions. After having a bad fall on cross country, Natalie offered so many fantastic tools to help me rebuild my confidence. Her other series on the Ride iQ app - ‘Riders Unscripted’ is also SO relatable to the average amateur rider - out there just trying to do our best with the skills we have.

[walktrot]

There is a book called “Riding Fear Free” that is excellent. It takes you through a process designed to work your way back into riding. One section that is particularly helpful is designed for instructors and trainers. Generally, they haven’t come off so they can’t understand what your issues are and how to help you work through them. They figure you’ll get back on and continue where you left off. They push you too far out of your comfort zone. Break everything down into little steps. If you can mount and take 2 steps today, get off and end on a good note. If you mount and can’t take any steps the next day, same thing – end on a good note. You horse can feel if you are nervous. Deep breathing can help you stay calmer.

I started riding at age 53, and my horse was spooky for a while. Noises got to him, especially rustling leaves. Once I finally got a good seat established I was able to stay aboard. He pretty much grew out of the problem as he aged.

It’s available on Amazon.

[CharlotteGirl]

I realize your question is about sports psychology, so what I’m going to write is off topic.

I’ve been riding for many years, many horses, and many coaches. We are asked to always step up and never question the horse or the coach. At this point in my life, I’m past that. As a consequence, I’m in a very good place. I trust what I’m given, and I’ve been accident free for a very long time (knock on wood). I have had some very bad falls. So I can guess where you are coming from.

I’m only suggesting that it’s ok to question your coaching, your horse, and anything else. It might all be ok, it’s also ok to reassess.

I really hope you find the joy in riding once again.

[Texarkana]

I know this thread is several weeks old, but I just wanted to echo, I also found Natalie Hummel through Ride IQ. I find listening to her stuff super helpful, both for riding and just for life in general.

[Herbaceous]

I’m also a very nervous/fearful rider, and learned the hard way that trying to “just get over it” doesn’t work.

I do work with a psychologist, although he has no horse experience so it’s sometimes hard for him to understand certain things (I could not find a sports psychologist covered by my insurance).

I found the book “It’s Not Just About the Ribbons” by Jane Savoie extremely helpful. Lots of other good suggestions on this thread as well.

It will be time soon for me to put it to the test - I’m recovering from a broken hand as a result of a fall (horsey had a naughty moment) and hoping to get back in the saddle soon. I’m really hoping I won’t be too nervous when I get back to it.

[MissAriel]

I just wanted to come back and provide an update. I have found an equestrian specific sports psychologist (Meredith Brisson) and we have been meeting for about a month now. It has been incredibly useful so far, and I am very happy with the progress I have made in a short time. It will not be a quick fix, for sure, but she has helped me break down the process into small pieces that are doable and provide a framework for achieving small successes. For me, this has been critical, b/c I was so in my head all I could think was “just do it” but “it” caused panic and I couldn’t find a reset on my own.

Along with tremendous support from family, trainer and barn friends, I am feeling much better about where we are now.

And for those of you dealing with your own fears - many hugs and best wishes for your own journey.

[sascha]

I missed this when it was new. Good for you for finding help!

It took me a very long time, many, many years, to realize that if I got nervous, scared, figured the horse I was riding might explode, that no-one, including the horse, would be harmed by me hopping off. I give this advice to everyone when the subject of “I can’t sit the spooks” or “He feels like he’s going to explode” comes up. GET OFF. Calm the horse. Calm yourself. If that goes well, hop back on or don’t. Do ground work or don’t. But do NOT beat yourself up for wanting to put your safety right where it should be - top priority.

FWIW, all the garbage we are fed about getting off making the horse realize that they’ve “got away with something and will do it again and again” seems to be, in my experience, a load of codswallop. What I have observed is that the more I’ve done it, the less time I need to spend on the ground before I hop back on. My current horse will give herself a giant mental reset if I hop off now. “Oh, oops. Sorry. My bad. You can climb back on now. That was a little dramatic.” I have literally had both feet hit the ground and immediately got back on. Ridiculous*, but I’d rather look ridiculous than get hurt or cause my horse more stress when I can do something so simple to help.

Other horses I’ve observed - their whole demeanour changes. It’s like they figure out that The Fear is not something that needs to be fought through by both together in an unpleasant and stressful way, but something that can be managed in a less stressful manner. Consequently, they become less fearful and braver as the months go by.

Be kind to yourself. It’s worth it both for building yourself up and for turning your horse into as reliable a mount as possible. The only thing we learn from ‘pushing through’ fear is that fear is unpleasant.

*also fwiw, I have done this in company and been ‘shamed’ for it “We’re not even 1/4 mile down the trail and already someone is dismounting.” But that was that, it was over for the rest of the ride instead of tension escalating the whole ride. Instead, we had an absolutely lovely ride. I will still dismount occasionally at that park because of MY fear of heights and bridges. Last time I was there my friend said, “Uh oh, should I hop off mine too? Is she about to play Statues and RUN?” “Nope. This is for me. She’s fine.” And I was fine by the time I had walked down the steep hill and we finished our ride as normal.

[Bonnie2]

100% agree. I started doing this and my slightly too spicy horse and little old lady me are getting along much better! Got the same “he’s gonna learn he can get out of work” lectures at first but now my riding buddies see it working for us.

[sascha]

@Bonnie2

I started doing this and my slightly too spicy horse and little old lady me are getting along much better!

[singingamy]

Great book! Thank you for the recommendation!